Prohibition of Using Amulets
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, prohibited the use of amulets. ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “If anyone wears an amulet, may Allah not help him in fulfilling his wish. If anyone wears a sea-shell around his neck, may Allah give him no peace.” (Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Hakim who consider it a sound hadith)
An amulet (tamimah) is a string of shells or beads that the Arabs used to put around their children ‘ s necks, believing that it would protect them from the evil eye. Islam abolished this superstitious practice. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, prayed against those who wore an amulet out of superstitious belief.
It is reported from Ibn Mas’ud that “once, when he entered his home, he noticed his wife wearing a knotted object round her neck. He took it away and broke it. Then he remarked: ‘The family of ‘Abdullah has become so arrogant that they now associate with Allah those for whom He has sent down no authority.’ Then, he added: ‘I have heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saying: ‘Verily, incantations, amulets, and love charms are acts of shirk (associating false gods with Allah).’ The people said: ‘O Abu Abdullah! We are familiar with incantations and amulets, but what is a love charm (altawlah)’?'He replied: ‘It is a sort of magical formula by which women sought to gain their husbands’ love’.” (Related by Al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban, and both consider it a sahih hadith) ‘Imran ibn Hasin reports that “the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saw a man wearing a bracelet of copper on his arm. The Prophet, peace be upon him, exclaimed to him: ‘Woe be to you’ What is this? ‘ The man replied: ‘I am suffering from weakness (al-wahinah).’ (Al-wahinah is a disease that causes pain in the shoulders and hands. The man was wearing a copper bracelet believing it would relieve his pain and suffering. The Prophet, peace be upon him, prohibited him from wearing it because he regarded it as an amulet) The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘It will give you nothing but pain. Throw it away. Had you died while wearing it, you would never have achieved salvation’.” (Narrated by Ahmad) ‘Isa ibn Hamza said: “I went to see ‘Abdullah ibn Hakim and his face was red due to high fever. I said to him: ‘Why don’t you use an amulet?’ He said: ‘We seek refuge with Allah from it. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever wears anything as an amulet will be entrusted to it”.”‘ (Abu Daw’ud)
CHAPTER 3a: Pendants with Words from the Qur’an or Hadith
‘Amr ibn Shu’aib relates from his father and from his grandfather, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “If one of you is frightened while sleeping, one should say: A’uzhu billah min hamazatish shayatin wa an yahdrun ‘ I seek refuge in Allah’s perfect words from His anger, His chastisement, from the evil of His creatures, and from the suggestions and approach of devils.’ Then one will never be harmed.” ‘Amr ibn Shu’aib related further that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr {{Notes: He was not a high ranking sahaabah, also this hadith is (weak? Double check)}}“used to teach this prayer to his older sons who could comprehend and memorize. For those who were not able to do so, he wrote these words down, wrapped them as pendants, and made them wear these around their necks.” (Narrated by Abu Daw’ud, Nasa’i, and Tirmihi, who says it is an acceptable but unknown hadith. Al-Hakim says it is sound)
‘Aishah, Malik, and most of the scholars of the schools of Ash-Shafi’i and Ahmad ibn Hanbal also subscribe to this view. Nevertheless Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn Mas’ud, scholars of the Hanafi school, and some scholars of the Ash-Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, according to one study, are of the opinion that it is not permissible for a person to wear anything as an amulet in the light of the above mentioned general prohibition regarding amulets.
