Question
Is wearing an amulet (ta’weez) shirk asghar? Is the use of amulets containing Qur’anic verses permissible?
Answer
Use of amulets
If an amulet consists of words or phrases that are shirk, and a person worships it, it is called shirk akbar. If a person regards an amulet as a means of safety or protection, but his belief is that this amulet is not a means of protection without the will of Allah, then this is called shirk asghar.
➊ Amulets containing Qur’anic verses
Regarding amulets based on Qur’anic verses, there are two different opinions among scholars:
◄ Some scholars consider them permissible.
◄ However, the preferred and cautious position is that one should also refrain from amulets containing Qur’anic verses, because the hadiths prohibiting them are general and include every kind of amulet, whether Qur’anic or non-Qur’anic.
➋ The prohibition regarding amulets in the hadiths
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“من علق تمیمة فلا أتم الله له”
“Whoever hangs (wears) an amulet, may Allah not fulfil his wish.”
In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“من تعلق تمیمة فقد أشرك”
“Whoever hangs (wears) an amulet has committed shirk.”
➌ The practice of the Companions
It is narrated from Hazrat Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that a group came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He ﷺ took the pledge of allegiance from nine persons, but did not take it from one person because he was wearing an amulet. He ﷺ cut off his amulet and said:
“من علق تمیمة فقد أشرك”
“Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk.”
➍ Another example of wearing an amulet
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a brass ring on a man’s hand and said:
“What is this?”
He said that he wore it because of a disease (wahinah). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“انزعها فإنها لا تزيدك إلا وهنا”
“Remove it, for it will not benefit you but will only increase your weakness. If you die while in this state, you will never succeed.”
➎ The reward for cutting off an amulet
Sa’id bin Jubayr (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“من قطع تميمة من إنسان كان كعدل رقبة”
“Whoever cuts an amulet from a person, it is like freeing a slave.”
➏ The ruling on breathing over (dam) and incantations (jhaar phoonk)
If the blowing (dam) and incantations are based on Qur’anic verses or on supplications proven from the Prophet ﷺ, then they are permissible. But if they contain shirkiyah words or unclear expressions, then they are impermissible.
Summary
◄ Wearing an amulet based on shirkiyah words is shirk akbar.
◄ Regarding amulets based on Qur’anic verses, the more cautious position is that they should not be worn either.
◄ Breathing over (dam) and incantations are permissible if they consist of prescribed supplications and Qur’anic verses.
