145- Ruling on hanging supplications on the body
Q: Is it permissible to hang some of the Du`a’s (supplications) which are mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) on the chest of a man or woman as protection for them from the Jinn (creatures created from fire) and devils?
A: This is not permissible whether it be from the Qur’an, Sunnah or anything else. This is called “Tama’im (amulets)”, “Jami`at” and “Hujub” and it is not permitted to wear or hang them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about this matter: <<Anyone who ties an amulet, may Allah not fulfill his aim; and anyone who ties a seashell, may Allah not give him peace>>. He (peace be upon him) also said: <<Ruqyahs (recitations for healing or protection), amulets and love-charms are Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)>>. Ruqyah here is referring to any words recited that are unknown or involve Shirk or Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), they are absolutely prohibited! All amulets are prohibited, that is, what is written on a paper or parchment and placed in a piece of cloth or a bag and tied to a child or a sick person, these are all forbidden.
This prohibition applies even if the amulets are made of Words of the Qur’an or lawful Du`a’s, they are still forbidden, because the correct scholarly opinion is that all amulets are absolutely prohibited. However, there is greater prohibition regarding the amulets which are not made using Words of the Qur’an. The prohibition of the amulets made using the Qur’an is to close any of the doors which may lead to sin or Shirk, as a Muslim is obliged to stay away from these acts, so that they do not fall into what Allah (Exalted be He) has made Haram (prohibited). Allah has made lawful for His Servants the things which lead to happiness, well-being and protection. He did not make lawful that which will harm them; rather, He made lawful that which will bring well-being and happiness in this life and the Hereafter. Humans are not permitted to introduce a Bid`ah (innovation in religion); hanging these things constitutes a Bid`ah, even if they contain Qur’an or Hadiths. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade the use of amulets and warned those who wear or hang them that Allah will not fulfill their aim; anyone who ties an amulet or a seashell, Allah will not fulfill their aim of wearing them. It is obligatory on every believing man and woman to protect themselves by reciting the Islamic supplications not by hanging them; supplications for recovery and well-being should be made for the sick and the children. Du`a’ for protection should also be made on their behalf before sleeping by saying: <<I seek refuge for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created>>. This is following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) because it is reported that: <<The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn, by saying, ‘I seek refuge for you both in the Perfect Words of Allah, from every devil and every poisonous vermin, and from every evil (envious) eye.’>> Muslims must accustom themselves to reciting Adhkar (invocations and Remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis) and supplications for refuge and protection, and should seek refuge with Allah, as long as they are a sane adult, before sleeping, when entering and leaving their house etc.
The point is that there is no need to wear amulets. Some scholars have permitted wearing amulets which contain Qur’an or lawful invocations, and they said: It is a form of Ruqyah (recitation for healing or protection), and since Ruqyah is lawful if it is using the Qur’an and lawful supplications, an amulet made using the Qur’an and supplications is also lawful. The answer is that there is a difference between the two; we have evidence that the prophet (peace be upon him) performed Ruqyah and Ruqyah was performed for him. He (peace be upon him) said: <<There is nothing wrong with Ruqyah as long as it does not involve any Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship).>> This is evidence of the exception of Islamically lawful Ruqyah (i.e., reciting Qur’an and saying supplications over the sick seeking healing), which is excluded from his saying: <<Ruqyahs (recitations for healing or protection), amulets and love-charms are Shirk.>> This is based on the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Ruqyah and Ruqyah was performed for him.
No exceptions were made for amulets and there is no evidence that the Prophet (peace be upon him) hung an amulet on anyone; therefore, it is not permissible to regard amulets the same as Ruqyahs; rather, all amulets are absolutely prohibited. Wearing amulets of the Qur’an and lawful supplications could lead to wearing all other amulets, while being unaware of which is right and which is wrong, and thus opens the door to Shirk and wearing charms. The Shari`ah (Islamic law) has closed all of the doors which may lead to Shirk, and the Hadiths stated regarding amulets are general and the prohibition applies to all. Closing the doors which may lead to Shirk is an obligation, consequently, this entails prohibiting all amulets, even if they contain Qur’an or lawful invocations. This is to block the means leading to Shirk and act upon the general meaning of the Hadiths, so that the believer grows accustomed to putting their trust in Allah, relying on Him, supplicating to Him, and asking Him to protect them from all evil and relieve them from any distress, and not to rely on an object which they wear around their neck or anywhere else.
The teachings of the Shari`ah sufficiently contain all goodness and well-being, for the young and old, sick and healthy. May Allah grant everyone success and guidance!
Source : alifta.com
Fatwas of Nur `Ala Al-Darb>Volume 1>Chapter on `Aqidah>Chapter on Ruqyahs and amulets>Ruling on hanging supplications on the body
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