❖ Ruling on Amulets, Talismans, and Charms in Islam: Clarifying the Prohibition and Innovation ❖
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the Islamic ruling on hanging amulets, charms, and similar objects?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
The issue of amulets (taʿwīdhāt) and charms (talisman/gandā) can be classified into two primary categories:
◈ If an amulet contains verses from the Qur’an, scholars—both early and later—have differed in their rulings:
– They rely on verses such as:
﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ القُرءانِ ما هُوَ شِفاءٌ وَرَحمَةٌ لِلمُؤمِنينَ﴾
“We send down in the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers.”
(Sūrah al-Isrāʾ: 82)
﴿كِتـبٌ أَنزَلنـهُ إِلَيكَ مُبـرَكٌ﴾
“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you...”
(Sūrah Ṣād: 29)
– Based on such verses, they argue that the blessings (barakah) of the Qur’an allow it to be written and hung as an amulet for the purpose of healing or protection.
– Opposing scholars hold that:
Such practice is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ,
Nor was it recognized as a legitimate Sharʿī means of removing harm.
– According to them, rulings regarding acts of healing and protection are taqwīfiyyah (i.e., dependent solely on explicit Sharʿī evidence).
– The stronger opinion is that even Qur’anic amulets should not be hung, regardless of their content.
– It is also impermissible to:
➤ Place such amulets under a sick person’s pillow
➤ Or hang them on walls or beds
What is permissible:
Making duʿāʾ for the ill and reciting the Qur’an for ruqyah is authentically established and in accordance with the Sunnah.
◈ If the amulets contain words other than the Qur’an or indecipherable symbols, then:
Using them is strictly forbidden under all circumstances.
◈ Such writings often include:
– Unknown symbols
– Illegible scripts
– Charms created through letter patterns or knots that cannot be understood
These types of talismans and charms are considered:
– Bidʿah (innovation)
– Ḥarām (forbidden)
– And have no basis in Sharʿī rulings
✔ Healing through duʿāʾ, Qur’anic recitation, and established prophetic methods is valid and encouraged.
✖ But relying on written talismans or amulets, especially those involving mysticism or ambiguity, constitutes prohibited innovation.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on hanging amulets, charms, and similar objects?
✔ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
❖ Categories of Amulets and Their Rulings:
The issue of amulets (taʿwīdhāt) and charms (talisman/gandā) can be classified into two primary categories:
➊ Amulets Containing Qur’anic Verses
◈ If an amulet contains verses from the Qur’an, scholars—both early and later—have differed in their rulings:
Those Who Permit It:
– They rely on verses such as:
﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ القُرءانِ ما هُوَ شِفاءٌ وَرَحمَةٌ لِلمُؤمِنينَ﴾
“We send down in the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers.”
(Sūrah al-Isrāʾ: 82)
﴿كِتـبٌ أَنزَلنـهُ إِلَيكَ مُبـرَكٌ﴾
“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you...”
(Sūrah Ṣād: 29)
– Based on such verses, they argue that the blessings (barakah) of the Qur’an allow it to be written and hung as an amulet for the purpose of healing or protection.
Those Who Prohibit It:
– Opposing scholars hold that:
Such practice is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ, Nor was it recognized as a legitimate Sharʿī means of removing harm.– According to them, rulings regarding acts of healing and protection are taqwīfiyyah (i.e., dependent solely on explicit Sharʿī evidence).
The Preferred View:
– The stronger opinion is that even Qur’anic amulets should not be hung, regardless of their content.
– It is also impermissible to:
➤ Place such amulets under a sick person’s pillow
➤ Or hang them on walls or beds
What is permissible:Making duʿāʾ for the ill and reciting the Qur’an for ruqyah is authentically established and in accordance with the Sunnah.
➋ What is permissible:
◈ If the amulets contain words other than the Qur’an or indecipherable symbols, then:
Using them is strictly forbidden under all circumstances.◈ Such writings often include:
– Unknown symbols
– Illegible scripts
– Charms created through letter patterns or knots that cannot be understood
These types of talismans and charms are considered:– Bidʿah (innovation)
– Ḥarām (forbidden)
– And have no basis in Sharʿī rulings
❖ Final Notes:
✔ Healing through duʿāʾ, Qur’anic recitation, and established prophetic methods is valid and encouraged.
✖ But relying on written talismans or amulets, especially those involving mysticism or ambiguity, constitutes prohibited innovation.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
