CHAPTER 6

Wearing Rings, Strings or Similar

Items to Remove Affliction or
Prevent it
Starting from this chapter onward, the author will explain the meaning of Tawheed by stating things that
either contradict its perfection like minor Shirk, or contradict its foundation like major Shirk. The author
(Rahimahullaah) begins in this chapter to expound upon Shirk by explaining forms of minor Shirk that
often occur.
Keywords
"To wear a ring, string, or anything similar": Like pearls, charms, pieces of iron, and anything similar that is worn in order to remove
affliction or prvent it. Also similar to this is what is hung in homes, cars or on small children of items that are worn or hung with a
similar belief in them.

Sh. As-Si'dy said: "Understanding this chapter depends on

understanding causes (means) and their rulings. The explanation
of them is as follows:
The Muslim should know 3 important facts about causes and
means:
1- It is not permissible to consider any thing a cause, or use it as
means to reach the goal, except if it has been proven to be a cause
by the shari'ah or by the universal experiment.
2- One should not rely on it but rely on the One Who created it and
made it a cause (Allaah ‫)ﷻ‬.
3- One must know that causes -no matter how strong they are-
are dependant on the decree of Allaah ‫ ﷻ‬and they don't act
independently. So it is up to Allaah ‫ ﷻ‬to let them produce
their normal effect, or He may stop them from producing their
effects and change their outcome. It is the Wisdom of Allaah to do
so in order to stop men from depending on them, and know that
everything is under the complete Power and Will of Allaah ‫ﷻ‬.

Allaah ‫ ﷻ‬said:
{Say: 'Have you seen that which you call upon besides Allaah? if Allaah wanted some harm for
me, could they remove this harm? Or if He wanted some mercy for me, could they withhold Hid Mercy?
[39:38]

Read Pages 51-58

Keywords
Call upon: This verse contains both the Harm: A comprehensive term, which After studying
supplication of asking, and the supplication includes all types of afflictions such as this chapter you are
of worship. What are they? diseases, poverty and distress. expected to know:
1. Legally accepted
Others besides Allaah: Prophets, Mercy: A comprehensive term which causes and their 2
Messengers, righteous people, angels, stars, includes health, comfortable life, etc. conditions.
trees, stones and idols etc.
2. Verdict of hanging
General meaning of the verse rings, strings and
other items with
Muqatil said: "Prophet Hud ('Alayhis Salaam) upon them as mediators and intercessors for
the belief that they
asked them and they did not say a word because them with Allah ‫ ﷻ‬not as capable of removing
could repel harm or
they really did not believe in that (i.e. their false harm or alleviating themselves.
remove it.
deities could do anything.) But they used to call
3. How is the verdict
considered major
Relevance of the verse to the chapter or minor shirk.
This verse and the like, nullify the heart's causing benefit or removing harm, and show
4. Some people retain
attachment to other than Allaah ‫ﷻ‬, regarding that this is indeed a kind of Shirk.
Shirk even while
they are believers
in Allaah ‫ﷻ‬.

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 'lmran Ibn Husyn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬saw a man wearing a bracelet of brass in his hand. Thereupon, the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
said to him, What is this bracelet for? The man replied, It is because of Al- Wahinah ( a vein that causes pain
in the shoulder and the hand). Thereupon, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, take it off, for it will only increase your pain,
and if you die while wearing it you will never succeed."
(Related by Ahmad with an acceptable chain of transmission)

Relevance of the Hadeeth to the chapter bracelet, he would never prosper in the Hereafter. "You will never succeed"
The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬commanded him to take the bracelet This proves that protec-
off immediately, justifying his order by explaining The Hadeeth proves the prohibition of wearing
rings for the sake of removing a tribulation. Such
tion from harm is only
to the man that such a bracelet would not remove
an act is a form of polytheism, which contradicts from Allah (‫) ﷻ‬, and so
the pain, but it would increase it. The Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
further added that in case man died wearing such a true belief. entrusting oneself to any
other protector - such as
Lessons drawn from the Hadeeth rings, threads etc. is an
1- Wearing bracelet etc for the sake of being 2- It is forbidden to use any prohibited material as act of Shirk that leads to
safeguarded against diseases is regarded as an act a treatment. destruction.
of Shirk.

".‫ ومن تعلق ودعة فال ودع هلل له‬، ‫"من تعلق متيمة فال أتم هلل له‬
Uqbah Ibn Amir (Radia-Allahu 'anhu) narrated that the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬ said:
“Whoever hangs a Tameemah (amulet), (i.e. putting it on himself or others) may Allaah not fulfil his
objective for him. And whoever hangs a seashell may Allaah not grant him peace and tranquility.”
According to another version, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:

“Whoever hangs a charm has committed shirk.”

Keywords & Phrases Relevance of the Two Hadeeth to the Chapter

Q. What will be the
Hangs a Tameemah (Amulet): Attachment of The two Hadeeths prove the prohibition of reward of a person
amulets was a pre-Islamic custom. The Arabs used attaching amulets and seashells. They prove such who hangs an amulet
to attach beads to their children to guard them practices as forms of polytheism, since those or seashell in this
against evil eyes. who attach such objects become attached to and life?

General Meaning of the Hadeeth dependent on them.

In Arabic, the word Tameemah is driven from the

verb Tamma meaning: accomplished. They used Important Lessons from the Hadeeth
to consider these amulets as the completion of the 1. Whoever relies on others besides Allaah will
remedy. Hence the Prophet used the same verb in never attain his aim.
Arabic to supplicate to Allaah that whoever hangs
2. Attaching things with a belief in them is an
an amulet may Allaah not complete and fulfill his
act of polytheism.
need.

Also the Arabic word of seashell is “Wada’ah” and

it is derived from tranquility and peaceful living
(without hardships or problems.) Therefore the
Prophet is invoking Allaah that whoever hangs
these seashells in order to get this peaceful life,
that he may never left in peace.

Ibn Abu Hatim related that Hudhayfah (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) saw a man wearing a thread around
his arm to protect him from fever, thereupon, Hudhayfah cut it and recited the verse:
{And most of them believe not in Allaah except while they associate others with Him.}

Relevance of the Two Hadeeth to the Chapter Q. Can someone

General Meaning of the Tradition
believe in Allaah ‫ﷻ‬
Hudhayfah (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) cut the thread as It affirms that wearing threads to alleviate yet become Mushrik
an indication of his disapproval and recited a verse illnesses is an act of polytheism, which must be at the same time?
from the Qur’an to prove the verity of his action. strictly opposed. Explain based on this
verse.
This verse states that though the polytheists Important Lessons from the Hadeeth
believe in the Oneness of Allaah, they associate
Wearing threads to remove afflictions or repel
others with Him.
them is prohibited, for it is regarded as an act of
polytheism.

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 CHAPTER 7

Ruqa (Incantations) & Amulets

In this chapter, the author further elaborates on other practices that impair
pure monotheism such as using charms or amulets and other acts of
polytheism

Abu Bashir Al-Ansari (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) narrated: After studying

this chapter you
“I was in the company of the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬on one of his journeys. The Messenger of Allaah are expected to
sent a messenger ordering: No necklace from a bow string, or any type of necklace, should be left on the neck know:
of a camel except that it should be cut off.” • The meaning of
Ruqyah.

General meaning of the Hadeeth • The 2 kinds of

Ruqyah and their
People used to believe that such necklaces could necklaces as these practices are deemed as acts of
verdicts.
guard the camels against harm or evil eyes. polytheism.
The Prophet commanded them to remove such • The meaning of
Tameemah.
Relevance of the Hadeeth to the Chapter • The two kinds of
The Hadeeth asserts the prohibition of adorning of guarding them against harms or envious eyes. Tameemah and
camels and other animals with strings for the sake Such acts are deeded Shirk. their verdicts.

• The meaning of
Lessons drawn from the Hadeeth: Tiwalah and its
• Attaching strings to Animals in order to repel • People must be warned against all forms of verdict.
harm is as prohibited as attaching amulets. Shirk so that their true belief may be properly
• How to make
maintained.
Ruqyah Shar'iyah.

Read Pages 59 -65

Ibn Mas’ud (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) narrated:

“I heard the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬saying, ‘Using (illegal) incantations, amulets, or Tiwalah, is an act of Shirk.’”
Keywords and Phrases:
Legal (incantations) ‫الرقيــة الرشعيــة‬: It refers to a ritual
recitation of some verses of the Qur’an for those
suffering a disease or an affliction. It may also be
breathed into water, which is given to the patient.
A legal incantation may also be written on a dish
and then erased by applying fresh water, which is
presented to the person to drink it.
Legal incantations which are free of all forms of
Shirk may be recited for the person who fall prey
to envious eyes or those stung by a harmful animal.
Tiwalah: A kind of magic used to make a wife
loves her husband and vice versa. According to The verdict of Ruqaa
in this Hadeeth
the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars,
applies to the Ruqaa
Tiwalah is forbidden because it is classified as a that is Shirk only.
form of sorcery.
Amulet (Tameemah): An amulet is defined as an
object worn especially around the child’s neck,
as a charm to protect him from evil and envious
eyes. However some scholars of our Salaf, permit
attaching amulets if they contain verses of the
Qur’an. Whereas some others including Ibn Mas’ud
deem it forbidden.

Ruling regarding Amulets

Amulets are absolutely prohibited if they contain
any spell or charm entailing Shirk. This is according
to the consensus of the Muslim Scholars. However,
scholars differed on the amulet containing verses
of the Qur’an. While some permitted it, others
forbade it. The correct view is that it is forbidden
lest its use should open further paths of innovative
acts of worship. It is similarly prohibited for the
sake of securing the Qur’an from being admitted
into unclean places.

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 Abdullah ibn Ukaym, (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) narrated, as a marfu’ Hadeeth ( attributed to the Prophet
(Salla-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)) that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:
“Whoever hangs something (like an amulet, believing that it brings good or repels evil), is entrusted to it”

General meaning of the Hadeeth: Lessons drawn from the Hadeeth Q. Mention a Hadeeth
If a person attaches his heart, or his deeds or both that informs that
• A Muslim must exclusively rely on Allaah for
to any false god or object besides Allaah believing Allaah swt protects
accomplishing all his deeds. his slave even if the
that it can bring benefit or repel harm, he will be inhabitants of the
• Rewards are according to the deeds. Explain?
left to such a thing and verily loss will surround heavens and the
him from all sides. earth plotted against
him.
Relevance of the Hadeeth to the Chapter
According to the Hadeeth, it is forbidden and
greatly condemned to attach oneself to any object
believing that it can independently bring benefit or
repel harm.

Imam Ahmad related that Ruwayfi’ (Radia-Allahu ‘anhu) narrated:

“The Messenger of Allaah ‫ ﷺ‬said, ‘O, Ruwayfi’! You may live for a long time after I am gone, so tell people
that if anyone ties his beard or wears a necklace made of bowstring, or cleans himself (after defecation, or
urination) with animal dung or bone, then verily Muhammad is innocent of him.”

Keywords & Phrases Relevance of the Hadeeth to the chapter

Ties his beard: People used to twist their beards in The statement: "Then verily Muhammad is
wars out of arrogance. They also used to twist their innocent of him" proves that this act is from the
hair for showing effeminate manners. It may also major sins and it proves the dangerous nature of
refer to tying beards at times of offering prayers. this act of disobedience.

Wears a string made of bowstring: The prohibition

does not refer to the necklace simply because it is
a necklace. Rather it refers to the necklace that is
believed to prevent the evil eye, like the bowstring
neckclace.

Wakee’ Ibnu Jarrah narrated that sa’eed Ibn Jubair said:

“Whoever removes an amulet worn by a man will be rewarded as if he has emancipated a slave.”
Wakee’ also reported that Ibraheem said:
“They (the followers of Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud) disliked all forms of amulets, whether they consisted of the
Qur’an or not.”

General meaning of the two traditions Relevance of the two traditions to the chapter
These two traditions affirm that whoever removes The two traditions affirm that those prominent
an amulet attached to someone’s neck will be scholars forbade the attachment of amulets.
rewarded as if he has freed a person from the
bondage of slavery. A man wearing an amulet is a
slave of Satan. Ibraheem An-Nakh’ee reports that
prominent scholars among the Tab’een maintain
that all forms of amulets are forbidden, even those
containing passages of the Qur’an.

This is manily to block the means leading to the

introduction of further innovative acts of worship
(bid’aah)

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 Ruqyah
Ruqyah: Supplications and
Shar'iyah words that are said or recit-
(Legal) ed and then they are blown
onto something or someone.
It is done according to the Sunnah of the Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬reciting verses of the Qur'an and the
Some Ruqyah has an effect
supplications of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬.. upon the limbs of the body,
Verdict some types have an effect
Permissible upon the souls. Some types
Evidence of it are permissible and leg-
"There is nothing wrong with Ar-Ruqaa as islated and other types are
long as it is not Shirk."
Shirk. The prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:
The prophet ‫ ﷺ‬performed Ruqyah and he had "There is nothing wrong
Ruqyah performed on him.
with Ar-Ruqaa as long as it
is not Shirk."
Shirkiyyah
(polytheism)
Which contain shirk like invoking or supplicating
other than Allaah ‫ﷻ‬, or seeking refuge in the
angels, prophets, Jinn, or awliyaa' etc, or contain
names of the devils, or the person who uses it
believes that the Ruqyah itself has the power to
bring about the desired effect.
Verdict
Major Shirk
Evidence
"Indeed Ruqa, Tama'em and Tiwalah are
shirk."
Why is it Shirk?
Becuase it seeks benefit and repel harm from
other than Allah ‫ ﷻ‬while no one can benefit and
protect except Allaah ‫ﷻ‬

1. What is the verdict of Ruqyah?

Explain the 2 kinds and the verdict of
each?
2. Is it permissible for one to do Ruqyah
for himself? What is the verdict?
(disliked, permissible, praised)

Ruqyah Shar'iyah
How to make Ruqyah on one's slef? complained to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
1. 1- Put your right hand on the pain in your body. of Allaah be upon him) about pain that he had felt in his
body from the time he had become Muslim. The Messenger
2. -Say "Bismillah" three times.
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said
3. Say seven times "A’oodhu bi (‘izzat)-illaah wa qudratihi to him: “Put your hand on the part of your body where you
min sharri ma ajid wa uhaathir  (I seek refuge in the glory feel pain and say ‘Bismillaah (in the name of Allaah) three
and power of Allaah from the evil of what I feel and worry times, then say seven times, ‘A’oodhu bi ‘izzat-illaah wa
about). qudratihi min sharri ma ajid wa uhaathir  (I seek refuge in
Some misconceptions about Ruqya the glory and power of Allaah from the evil of what I feel
and worry about).”
• Some think that Ruqyah is only done by another person and
can not be done on one's self. • Al-Tirmidhi (2080) added: He said, I did that, and Allaah
took away what I had been suffering, and I kept on
• Uncertainty in seeking Shifaa by Ruqyah from the Qur'an
enjoining my family and others to do that.” (Classed as
and taking it as an experiment only.
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1696)
• Impatience in seeking the results and leaving Ruqyah if he
• It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with
doesn't get a quick result.
him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
• Thinking that Ruqyah is not for physical ailments but for upon him) used to seek refuge for al-Hasan and al-Husayn,
spiritual ones only. and he would say: “Your father [ meaning Ibraaheemm
Examples of Ruqyah Shr'iyah: peace be upon him] used to seek refuge with Allaah for
Ismaa’eel and Ishaaq with these words: A’oodhu bi kalimaat
• Surat Al-Fatiha
Allaah al-taammah min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa
• Surat Al-Ikhlas - Al-Falaq - Al-Nass min kulli ‘aynin laammah (I seek refuge in the perfect words
• Ayatul Kursy of Allaah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and
from every evil eye).’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3191.
• Muslim (2202) narrated from ‘Uthmaan ibn Abi’l-Aas that he

5
 Tameemah
It is everything that is
hung whether it is leather,
Shirk
pearls, words of remem-
brance (Athkar), or words
All types of Tamaa'im are shirk (If it is not from the
Qur'an) of protection. It may also be
Verdict in the form of some shape,
Shirk like the heand of an animal,
Evidence gazelle, or a horseshoe, or
"Verily, Ar-Ruqaa, At-Tamaa'im and At- black shreads of paper, or
Tiwalah are Shirk."
charms in the form of an
eye or words of glorification
Not Shirk (but not allowed)
From the Qur'an
Verdict
Not Shirk but the companions did not allow to
wear it.
Why is not Shirk?
Because he has hung something of the attributes
of Allah which is His words. So in this case he has
not associated some creation with Allah in order to
repel harm.

Misconception - Wearing amulets in a particular shape. These Why is it forbidden?

for beauty only

are all Tamaa'im. What 1- To block all means leading to the introduction of
further innovative acts of worship.
unites them is that they are
2- Because these amulets that containg the Qur'an
Some might say, 'I wear or hang these all things that are worn, or may end up being inside unclean places like
amulets for beauty purpose only. I don't hung to seek some good, or twilets etc.
have any belief regarding them. prevnet harm
The answer to this: "If the person hangs the
amulets for protection or removal of affliction,
then this is minor Shirk if he believes that it
is a means of protection. If he hangs it for
beautification, then it is forbidden because in
doing so he resembles those who commint
minor shirk. The Prophet saw said: "Whoever
imitates a people, then he is one of them"

Permissible Causes

Islamically legislated Universal Cause

Every cause that Allah Every natural

Meaning ‫ ﷻ‬and His Messenger permissible cause in
encouraged us to use the universe

In the Qur’an or the Affirmed by actual

Condition Sunnah.
experimentation - not
hidden
Medicine. Herbal
Examples Zamzam, Qura’n
medicine
6