151- Ruling on using amulets and charms to accomplish worldly interests
Q: A questioner from Syria is asking: Some people carry amulets with them when they are facing officials and judges, with the excuse that this amulet will help them in their affair, so that their request will be not refused, or to gain victory over an opponent, what is the validity of this and what is its ruling?
A: This is Batil (null/void) and has no origin in Islām; using Hujub or Huruz (preservative, protection, charm), known as amulets, is not permitted. The Messenger (ﷺ) said: Anyone who ties an amulet, may Allāh not fulfill his aim; and anyone who ties a seashell, may Allāh not give him peace. According to another wording he (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who ties an amulet has committed Shirk (associating others with Allāh in His Divinity or worship). He (peace be upon him also said: Ruqyahs (recitations for healing or protection), amulets and love-charms are Shirk (associating others with Allāh in His Divinity or worship). Ruqyah here is referring to any words recited that are unknown, which is impermissible. As for Shar`y (Islāmically lawful) Ruqyah, i.e. (reciting Qur`an and saying supplications over the sick seeking healing), there is nothing wrong with it, because the Messenger (ﷺ) said: There is nothing wrong with Ruqyah as long as it does not involve any Shirk. Amulets are not permissible, whether it contains Ayahs from the Qur`an or from other than the Qur`an, or is a mixture between both, all is prohibited. The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade it and warned against it and said that it is Shirk (associating others with Allāh in His Divinity or worship) whether the person using it is female or male, the use of it is forbidden to all and we are obliged to disapprove of those who use it.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 374]
