Amulets and Talisman etc

A sister in another forum asked about having decorations like hamsa hand or evil eye things, if one knows it isn't a protection but likes the design and realise they have no magical properties is there any harm in having them.

Our dear Sister Kamillah gave a detailed explanation and I have her permission to post her explanation here.



To better understand that amulets and they are not something to be displayed.

Abdullah bin Mas’ood narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Verily, magic spells, At Tamaa’im (amulets), and love charms are all forms of Shirk.’ (sunan of abu dawood, musnad of ahmad; declared saheeeh by albaani)


Amulets And The Evil Eye

And indeed from amongst every Ummah We sent a Rasool proclaiming, ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taaghoot.’ (Quran 16:36 )

Verily Allah sent messengers from amongst the sons of Adam as a mercy from Him to proclaim His message and call mankind back to His sole worship. This sole worship of Allah necessitates abandoning all others worshipped besides Him, with all such objects of false worship known as At Taaghoot. They include all invented gods and all objects in creation to which acts of worship are directed such as prostrating, sacrificing, or seeking protection from the evil within creation. All such acts of worship directed to other than Allah are Shirk.

Examples of Taaghoot include the sun, the moon, fire, light, trees, mountains, rocks, stones, idols, animals, angels, jinn, and worship of human beings both while alive and after their death at the graves. All such objects become Taaghoot when worship is directed to them. From amongst the Taaghoot is the object known as Amulets. In Sharee’ah it is known as Tamemah with Tamaa’im being its plural.

The use of Amulets and Talisman can be traced back to ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Arabic and Hebrew tribes. They have been found in ancient ruins, ancient tombs and pyramids. They were worn for the purpose of warding off evil and seeking protection from evil spirits and the evil eye. When the messengers of Allah would come they would call back to Tawheed and to the abandonment of all Taaghoot, with Amulets being no exception.

Abdullah bin Mas’ood(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Verily, magic spells, At Tamaa’im (amulets), and love charms are all forms of Shirk.’ (sunan of abu dawood, musnad of ahmad; declared saheeeh by albaani)

Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a group came to the Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him). He accepted the pledge of allegiance of nine but not of one of them. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him), you accepted the pledge of allegiance of nine but not of this one.’ He said, ‘He is wearing an amulet.’ The man put his hand (in his shirt) and took it off, and then he accepted his pledge. He said, ‘Whoever wears an amulet has committed Shirk.’ (musnaad of ahmad)

Amulets were commonplace during the Days of Ignorance before the prophethood of Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him), and just like the Messengers before him he educated the people about the harms of Amulets, describing their use as Shirk. This is enough of a warning and reminder for the act is one of Shirk Al Akbar, or Major Shirk which removes one from Islam.

Umran Ibn Husain(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man with a brass ring in his hand and he asked, ‘What is this?’ He replied, ‘It is for protection from rheumatism.’ The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) answered, ‘Remove it at once, for verily it will not increase you except in weakness, and were you to die whilst wearing it you would never be successful.’ (musnad of ahmad)

The acts of shirk include relying on amulets to ward off evil, seeking protection in them instead of Allah. So the person wears the amulet for the purpose of seeking refuge and protection from the evil eye or Jinn or other evil within creation, when the amulet can offer no such protection. The person places trust, dependence and reliance in it, hoping in protection from it while disbelieving in Allah Who offers protection against all evil.

In addition amulets may be used for seeking protection from illnesses. This is also an act of shirk for the amulet is not a medical treatment. So an object such as a ring is used with the belief that it will protect one from acquiring an illness or provide cure from an illness. In the above hadeeth our prophet declared that the one who died while engaged in such an act would never be successful. In sharee’ah the successful ones are known as Al Muflihoon, and they are those who receive the forgiveness of Allah and an entrance into His grand Jannah. So there is no forgiveness for the one who dies committing major shirk by the use of amulets.

Abdullah bin Mas’ood(may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, ‘Spells, amulets and love charms are Shirk.’ His wife said, “Why do you say this? By Allah, my eye was weeping with a discharge and I kept going to so and so, the Jew who did a spell for me. When he did the spell, it calmed down.’ Abdullah said: ‘That was just the work of Shaytaan who was picking it with his hand, and when (the Jew) uttered the spell, he stopped. All you needed to do was to say as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say: ‘Remove the harm O Lord of mankind and heal, You are The Healer. There is no healing but Your healing; a healing which leaves no disease behind.’” (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of ibn maajah; declared saheeh by albaani)

Sometimes people may report a presumed benefit from an amulet, and as a result they begin to rely and depend on it, to the point that without it they feel helpless. As a result others are drawn to it and eager to use it themselves. However we know the mechanism by which Allah misguides such people whose hearts are attached to such Taaghoot. The devils amongst the Jinn and Mankind unite for the purpose of misguiding the ignorant people. The Jinn will go and inflict some bodily harm to a person and as a result the person will go to a well known ‘spiritual healer’ who will use spells or give the person an amulet to wear. Thereafter the Jinn cease causing harm to the person. As a result the ignorant person believes in the amulet and disbelieves in Allah, with the devils accomplishing their goal.

Amulets in the Muslim world today

The Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that the use of amulets was shirk. He called the people to worship Allah alone, seeking help and protection in Allah, and putting full trust and reliance in the One who created the heavens and the earth. Although the Prophet Muhammad’s(peace and blessings be upon him) message was clear, these amulets and talisman are still found in many Muslim countries with their widespread use, popularity, money and fame.

So we find numerous Muslims believing there is no harm in using amulets. The reasons for using them differ with some using them for decorative wear and others using them as part of their culture and custom. Although such people may believe these amulets have no powers of warding off evil, they are still using objects of shirk for decorative wear, and this is enough of a reason to abandon their use. Furthermore, their use is still a means by which Shirk may be committed in the future for shaytaan is an ever open enemy to mankind. Once Emaan settles in the heart, the believer begins to naturally develop hatred for anything which symbolizes or is remotely connected with Shirk. When a persons desire to wear such amulets, for whatever reason, only reflects weakness of Emaan and lack of knowledge. The cure is knowledge.

However there are others amongst this Ummah who truly believe that amulets and talisman process some type of power to protect them from the evils of this world, not realizing the tremendous evil of seeking refuge in other than Allah. Such people need to seek knowledge, and those with knowledge should explain the message of Tawheed and the evils of Shirk to them, providing evidences from the book of Allah and the Sunna of Muhammad. If they repent then knowledge is a cure for ignorance. However, if they wilfully persist after knowledge has reached them and continue to use amulets as a means for warding off evil then they have left Islam and joined the Mushrikoon.


to continue Insha Allah

Description of some Amulets

A better understanding of the essence of these objects may help those who want to wear them to abandon them and seek refuge in Allah alone. Many of the amulets are eye catching made of shells, rocks, gold, silver and other materials. They have specific shapes, colors and names. They are marketed freely within both Muslim and Non Muslim lands, advertised openly and presented as gifts to fellow Muslims. A few examples of specific Amulets are discussed below:

Hand of Fatima (Khamsa)

The use of this hand is common and used throughout North Africa, the Middle East, India, and Israel. We know in the Arabic language that Khamsa means five referring to the five fingers of the hand. Some ignorant people have changed this into meaning the five pillars of Islam without knowing the origin of this amulet. Others refer to it as the hand of Fatimah, fabricated lies against the daughter of our Prophet Muhammad when they say it represent her hand. There are many different designs to this hand but the meaning behind the symbol is all the same. It is used as object of Shirk to bring happiness in celebrations, to ward off the evil eye and evil spirits. This symbol of the hand can be found in many of the ancient cultures and may be contributed to a pagan sun goddess.

Egyptian Eye of Horus

The eye of Horus is known to come from the pagan goddess Isis and the pagan god Osiris. It is suppose to be the eye of their son Horus who was represented by a sky falcon in most Egyptian paintings, statues and drawings. There is also a similarly designed amulet known as the eye of Pharaoh. This was not only an amulet for the living but it was also thought to keep evil spirits away from the dead and was found in many of the ancient tombs. The eye of Horus is used today in the same way it was used in ancient Egypt by the pagan sun worshippers. They believed that the eye of one of their gods had power to ward off evil spirits and kept the evil eye away from a person.

Eye

Superstitions of wearing an eye made of blue for warding off the evil eye continues in countries such as Turkey, North Africa and India. This may have first appeared at the time of pharaoh and may signify his eye or the eye of Horus. There are many designs to this amulet, some with just eyes, and other with the eye in the middle of the hand.

Cylinder lockets

These lockets by themselves are not haram but many people hold spells, magic, and other writings inside the lockets. When filled with various writings for protection and to keep someone safe from harm then they become haram to wear.

Animals

Many different types of animals have been used as amulets throughout the centuries. One of the animals used in ancient Egypt was the Scarab and is still used today on many items of jewelry. The Scarab amulet was in dedication and honor of one of the pagan gods Ra by the Sun worshipers. The Scarab is a dung beetle and it was used as a symbol of life giving power for the living and the dead. It was placed in many of the tombs and was supposed help in the reincarnation.

Nefertiti charm

Nefertiti was an ancient Egyptian Queen who was suppose to be beautiful. It was thought that wearing her charm as an amulet would bring beauty, happiness, joy and long life to the wearer. It was also worn by the dead in hopes of bringing happiness in the hereafter.

Knotted strings

Bracelets made of knotted cord or string, especially in red with blue beads, are popular in India and many believe it will ward off evil spirit and keep illness away from their children. This symbol is placed on a child’s wrist when a baby and is suppose to keep them safe until it breaks and is then replaced by a new knotted cord or string. Also strings were hung from the necks of animals and the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) forbade this practice for it came from the days of ignorance where they use to tie strings around there animals necks thinking it protected the animal from the evil eye and other diseases. The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) would order these strings to be cut off every time he saw one.


Bells are most commonly used by the people of Pakistan, Indian and the Middle East as an amulet to drive off the evil eye and evil spirits. You will find many of their Jewelry adorned with bells. You will also find the bell in ornaments for camels, cows, donkeys and horses. You will find many ahadeeth condemning such practice and forbidding the using of bells on there camels or other animals. The wind chimes today have their roots from the concept of these bells of old. The Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) said: 'The bell is the musical instrument of the Satan.' (saheeh of muslim)

To continue Insha Allah

Legislated means for seeking protection from Al Ayn (The Evil Eye)

And verily those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes. (Quran 68:51 )

Abu Hurairah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘The evil eye is true.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)

The Sharee’ah recognises the evil within creation, including the evil of Iblees and the devils amongst Jinn and Mankind, the evil of witchcraft and black magic, and the evil of envy and the evil eye. There are numerous evidences which clearly prove this. Although many of us are familiar with the evidences related to the evil of Iblees, the Jinn and magic, people tend to downplay the evils of envy and the evil eye, equating it with mythology and superstition. However the authentic sunna proves the evil eye is a fact and our prophet sought refuge in Allah from its effects.

A’eyshah(may Allah be pleased with her) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me, or he commanded (the people) to use Ar Ruqyah to deal with the evil eye.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)

And Allah has bestowed knowledge to this Ummah so that the believers can ward off all evil by seeking refuge in Him and asking protection from Him, for this is a matter amongst the many matters of Tawheed, and an integral part of Allah’s worship known as Al Isti’aadah. So the believers seek refuge in Allah with full Tawakkul in their hearts, using legislated cures known as Ar Ruqyah.

Jabir bin Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about An Nushrah and he said, 'It is one of the works of the devil.’ (sunan of abu dawood)

An Nushrah is the practice of counteracting magic by using magic and is strictly forbidden. The above hadeeth highlights an important principle in Sharee'ah, namely Ruqyah can only be performed by halaal means. Allah has not placed healing in that which He has made haraam.

The manners of performing Ar Ruqyah for the one affected by the evil eye include reciting Quran, supplicating to Allah, and performing ghusl by the one inflicted. The believer uses these legislated means with a heart full of Tawakkul with Allah, relying, depending and trusting in Him. The evidences are presented below:

(1) Reciting Quran

Abu Sa'eed Al Khudhree(may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'The Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek refuge from the evil eye of the Jinn and the evil eye of humans. Then when the Mu'awwidhatayn (Surat Al Falaq; Surat An Naas) were revealed he used them and abandoned everything else.' (sunan of tirmidhi; sunan of nasaa'ee; sunan of ibn majah)

Narrated Abu Said(may Allah be pleased with him), "A group of the companions of Allah's Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) proceeded on a journey till they dismounted near one of the Arab tribes and requested them to entertain them as their guests, but they refused to entertain them. Then the chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake and he was given all sorts of treatment, all of which were in vain. Some of them said, 'Will you go to the group who have dismounted near you and see if one of them has something useful?' They came to them and said, 'O group! Our leader has been bitten by a snake and we have treated him with everything but nothing benefited him. Has anyone of you anything useful?' One of them replied, 'Yes, by Allah, I know how to treat with a Ruqya. But by Allah, we wanted you to receive us as your guests but you refused. I will not treat your patient with a Ruqya till you fix for us something as wages.' Consequently they agreed to give those travelers a flock of sheep. The man went with them and started spitting and reciting Suratal Fatihah till the patient was healed and started walking as if he had not been sick. When the tribe people paid them their wages they had agreed upon, some of them (the companions) said, 'Distribute (the sheep).' But the one who treated with the Ruqya said, 'Do not do that till we go to Allah's Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) and mention to him what has happened, and see what he will order us.' So they came to Allah's Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned the story to him and he said, 'How do you know that Surat al Fatihah is a Ruqyah? You have done the right thing. Divide and assign for me a share with you.'" (saheeh of bukhari)

(2) Making Supplication

Ibn Abbas(may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain and say, ‘Your forefather used to seek refuge with Allah for Ismaa’eel and Ishaaq by reciting, O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, evil eye.' "(saheeh of bukhaari)

Abu Sa’eed(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Jibreel came to the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) and said, ‘O Muhammad, are you ill?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘In the name of Allah I perform Ruqyah for you, from everything that is harming you, from the evil of every soul or evil eye, may Allah heal you, in the name of Allah I perform Ruqyah for you).’ (saheeh of muslim)

(3) Performing Ghusl

Aa'eyshah(may Allah be pleased with her) said, 'The man who cast the evil eye would be commanded to do wudoo, and then the man who was affected would perfrom ghusl with the water.' (sunan of abu dawood; declared saheeh by albaani)

by Kamillah Khan