ISLAMIC VIEW POINT ON TALISAMAN (TAWEEZ)

by

DR MASUD-UD-DIN USMANI

(Rahimatullah)

Alhamdu li 'Llah. Indeed all glory and praise is due to Allah. We glorify and praise Him
and we ask Him for help and forgiveness. In Allah we seek refuge from the evils in
ourselves and from our wrong doing. He whom Allah guides shall not be misguided, and
he whom He misguides shall never be guided. I bear witness that there is no {true} elah
{god} except Allah, alone without any partners; and I bear witness that Muhammad
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is His 'Abd (Devoted servent and worshiper) and
Messenger. Verily, the best words are those of Alllah; the best guidance is that of
Muhammmad (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam); the worst matters {of creed or worship} are
those innovated {by people}; for, every such innovated matter is a bid'ah; and every
bidah is a misguidance that shall reside in the Fire.

The cause of the degradation and downfall of the present day Muslims is not that they
lack spritual guidance or are backward in Islamic education! The real reason for their
back sliding stems from those Muslims that have started associating partners with Allah.
They've even begun to rely on these so-called "partners" for asssistance in daily life.

The tragedy of it is the fact that some of our saints and teachers have had a leading role in
this great deception. They mislead their community from the noble path of believing in
the one and only Allah. These scholars and leaders improve their own economic worth by
fabricating new fads and rituals while padding their own pockets. Of exactly such persons
that Allah has said in the Holy Quran, Sura Tauba (9:34):

"O Ya who believe! There are indeed many amongest the priests and anchorites who in
falsehood devour the substenance of man and hinder them from the way of Aallah. "

It is a well known fact that these type of people not only sell their judgements and accept
rewards for them, but they also lead the world into a vicious cycle of disbelief. They
manifest this disbelief in the form of bizarre religious practices. As a result of these
practices, their followers become addicted and can not cope with routine life without
resorting to these "new" rituals for strength and security.

When a call is made for a return to purity and sincere faith in the unity of Allah, these are
the people who with the aid of their gimmickry place obstacles in the path. So obvious
are these road blocks that one is left in amazement by their actions. Like the priest and
leaders of Children of Israel, these so-called aaleems (scholars) and their saints have
raised the business of talisman to it's current zenith. These people closely resemble those
exposed by Quranic aayats of Sura Al Baqarah verses 2:101 and 102:

"And when there came to them an apostle from Allah, confirming what was with them, a
Party of the People of the Book threw the Book of Allah behind their backs. As if (it had
been something) they did not know!

They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the
blashmers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men magic, and such things as
came down to Babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone
(such things) without saying: 'we are only for trial; so do not blaspheme.

They learned from them the means to sow discord between husband and wife. But they
could thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed
them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of magic would have no
share in the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls: if they
but knew!" (2:101 and 102)

Conduct a random search of the necks of most present day Muslims, the majority will be
wearing a paper talisman, miniature Quran, rosary, thread or small razor, etc. Some will
be wearing a metallic bracelet or thread around their leg, arm or stomach. They
apparently believe these charms will avert bad luck evil spirits, ilness, etc. These
talisman, threads, potions and their likes have not been sanctioned by the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) have said about these practices: "Abdullah bin Masood
reports that I have heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) saying that
blowing (dum), Taweez (talismans), threads and potions are all shirk. (Mishkaat Sharif,
pg 389)

The practice of love potions like talisman, etc., have also become very common. Many
men and women resort to them to win another's love, even if the other person is legally
married according to Islamic rites. Here is another traddition of our Prophet (Sallallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam):

"Uqba bin Amir Al Jehni (Radi Allaau 'anhu) relates that a group of people came to the
Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) to make a religious pledge (Bait). The Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) accepted the pledge from nine of the groups and
left one out. The companions (Radi Allahu 'anhu) asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) as to why he did not accept the pledge of the one who was left out. The
reply was: "I did not make Bait with him because he was wearing a Talisman. "On
hearing this that person drew the Talisman, out and destroyed it. Thereafter, the Holy
Prophet ( Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) accepted his pledge ( bait) and said whoever
wears a talisman, he associates partners with Allah (i.e. he practices Shirk)". (Masnad
Ahmed, Vol. 4 Pg. 156).

Does this hadith not show that all types of talisman are forbidden? Otherwise the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would have definitely at first enquired whether the
Taweez had any Quranic writings or the illustrious names of Allah. At the sight of the
talisman, he turned his face away and refused the pledge. This conclusively proves that
the practice of talisman is an evil practice, and not sanctioned by the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam).

(Part #2) TALISMAN FOR CURES

Let us see what the Holy Prophet (Sallallaaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has to say about these.

"Esa Bin Hamza (Rahimahullah) says, I visited Abdullah Bin Akeem (Rahimahullah)
during his sickness; he was suffering from a sickness called "Hamra". I asked him why he
was not wearing the talisman that was meant for the sickness specifically. He relied,
"May Allah save me from the talisman. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
has said , whoever hangs anything he will be entrusted to that thing only.' (Abu Dawood,
Mishkat pg. 389; Tirmizi Vol. 2, pg. 28)

This previous hadith once again proves that if one uses a talisman to avoid evil spirits or
influences, to cure sickness or to remove any calamities, then Allah will not help him, and
he will be entrusted to the talisman or potions to solve his problems.

When an earnest and sincere appeal is made to these commerical minded purveyors of
talisman etc., to desist from these evil practices which will destroy their own faith
(imaan) and their fate in the Hereafter, their only defence will come in the form of a
hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), which they will quote:

It was reported by Mohammed Bin Isak that Abdullah Bin Umar Bin Alaas relates that
the Holy Prophet (Sallaallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to teach the following prayers for
those who used to be frightened in their sleep:

"I seek refuge withe the completer words of Allah from His anger and the mischief of the
people and from the suggestions of the evil ones and their visits to me"

The report states further that Abdullah used to teach the prayers to those who could
memorize and recite it and used to write it and hang it around those children who could
not recite it. (Abu Dawood (543), Tirmizi Mishkat (217)

There are many reasons why this tradition should not be taken very seriously; some of
them are:

1. This tradition according to the scale of acceptance of hadiths is considered to be very

poor (deaf) in quality by the majority of Muslims scholars.

2. The companions who allegedly hung the talisman is himself a narrator of another
hadith in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had frowned upon
talisman; it reads as follows:
 "Abdullah Bin Umar Bin Alaas states that I have heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) say that "if I indulge in three things then it means that I cannot
discriminate between what is right and what is wrong. The three things are: firstly, if I
use a antidote (panecea) which contains alcohol or snakes meat. Secondly, if I hang a
talisman and thirdly, if I practice poetry. "

How can a companion who states this hadith do a thing contrary to his teachings?

3. The reporters, Mohammmed Bin Isak and Umar bin Shoib have been unanimously
condemned as unreliable and called liars by various Muslim scholars like Immam
Malik (Rahimahullah) and many others.

4. Finally there are no companions (Radi Allaahu 'anhu') of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) or the tabeens (those who saw the Companions only)
who have santioned or allowed the Talisman. To attach their names to such practice is
indeed a calumny.

THE JUDGEMENT OF THE TABEIN

It has been said by Waki Saeed Bin Jabeer (Rahimahullah) that "whoever removes a
taweez he has liberated a soul". Waki said that ibrahim Nakhi whas the teacher of Imaam
Hanifa (Rahimahullah) said that all the companions and Tabein have forbidden the use of
Talisman regardless of whether it contained Quranic verses or ayats.

Many put forth the argument that the Quran itself proclaimed itself as a cire and healer.
The answer to this is that the cure is not in hanging it around the neck but by using it as
shown to us by Allah and His Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The Quran
would be a healer and cure if it is read with understanding, benefiting from its contents
and decorating the actions sincerely with the noble charateristics as showen in it. Honey
has been called a cure in the Quran itself, but surely no one goes around carrying a bottle
of honey around one's neck all the time. Similarly, the doctor's phamacopia contains all
the cures but a sick person woud not dare carry it around his neck for cure purposes. It is
for such persons that the Holy Quran has said in Surah Yusuf (12:106)

"And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with
Him" (12:106)

TALISMAN CONTAINING QURANIC AYATS ARE FORBIDDEN

One of the foremost Muslim scholars, Aabubaka Ral-Arabi, (Rahimahullaah)has

concluded that to wear the Quran is not according to the precepts of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The right thing is to obtain guidance from the Quran and
not to wear it.

THE THREADS AND STRINGS

The tying of threads and strings also becomes very common. Some use it for curing fever,
some for averting fevers, some for averting spirits etc. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) forbids these practices of associating partners to Allah (SHIRK) even
on animals, and had them removed.

Abu Bashir Al Anasari says: "I was with the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
on a journey when he sent a proclamation with the message that under no circumstances
any threads to be tied around the animals. "(These things were relics of days before Islam
when it was thought to protect the animals.)

Urwah (Rahimahullah) relates that Huzaifa Bin Alyam (Rahimahullah) once went to visit
an ailing person. He saw a thread around the sick person's arm. Huzaifan cut the thread
off and read the Quranic Ayats from Surah Yusif viz:

"And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with Him.
" (12:106)

(PART #3) BRACELETS AND MEDALLION WEARERS WILL NOT ENTER

PARADISE , BUT THEY WILL ENTER HELL FIRE

Imraan Bin Hussain (Rahimahullah) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) saw a copper bangle on a person's hand. He asked him the reason for the copper
bangle and was told that it was for the treatment of the weakness and sickness in his arm.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu wa sallam) replied that on the contrary it will increase the
weakness of the arm and if he were to die with it on, then he will not be successful in the
hereafter (i.e. he will not enter paradise) (Ahmed, ibn-e-Hembal).

KNIFE AND RAZORS ON CHILDREN

Some people believe that children are quickly affected by evil spirits. As a prevention,
every house should have a steel knife, blade or scissors. I the child leaves the house, the
steel object must be with the child. This is once again a legacy of the pre-Islamic days of
ignorance. Let us see what the Holy Prophet's (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) wife, Ayesha
(Radi Allahu 'anhu) had to say about this very common practice:

The mother of the faithful Ayesha (Radi Allaahu 'anhu) used to receive newly born
children brought by their parents for her to pray to Allah for His blessings on them. On
one occasion, she noticed a child wearing a blade and enquired what it was for, and was
told that it was a prevention againest jinns.

Aysha (Radi Allaahu 'anhu) removed the blade and threw it away and forbade the parents
from doing anything of of that sort. She said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) was strongly againest such actions and that is why she is forbidding them also.
(Imam Bukhari, p#180 Adabul Mufrad).

EXORISM
The peddlers of this religious fad have come out with innumerable stories or tales about
jins (spirits) which greatly assist them in their business.

The stories of a Jinn posssessing people is a fraud. Even if thousands come forward with
their own wbservations of Jinns and their effects it cannot be true. It is unfortunate that
people bring forth reports of Saad Bin ibadah (Radi Allaahu 'anhu) was martyred by Jinn
in Syria. The Muslim scholars all agree that this is completely wrong and a figment of
their imagination. The same applies to the story of Abdullah Bin masood (Radi Allaah
'anhu) removing the effects of a Jinn. Such stories are created by the commerical minded.
The truth is that so far history has not shown anyone being slain by jinns. Neither have
police anywhere in this world come to the conclusion that a certain crime was done by
jinns (or spirits).

' Jabir Bin Abdullah (Radi Allaahu 'anhu') reports that the Holy prophet (Sallalaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) was asked about these "Nushra" (the name given to the people who remove
spirits). The reply was: "It is the work of the Devil" (Shaitan). (Abu Dawood, (Vol. 2,
page 40).

These pureveyors of talisman, etc., are not only satisified by their actions but also go a
step further and claim to be able to see the unknown and forecast the future. To some they
say goods are under the shadow of a jinn and I know the way out. To others they say, if
you loose any of your objects or goods come to us and we will show you where it is. For
some they read their palms and claim to have observer somethings. They utter words their
weakminded clients who do not offer any objections. To some members of the family,
they will give a talisman, ask him to bury it at a certain fixed spot. Later they will direct
other to the same spot and ask them to remove and destroy the talisman. They say it was
buried by their enemies and was causing their troubles. In this way, they make whole
families fight each other and indirectly filling their own pockets. May Allah save us from
such people, Ameen.

BLOWING ON WATER (DUM)

This practice has also been caught on just like the talisman, threads, etc. You often see
people lined up outside the mosques after the regular prayers with containers of water
awaiting the namazees to blow on it. This is most evident on the last night of Tarawih in
Ramadaan when large number of bottles are placed before the huffaz to blow on. All this
being done in the name of religion! It is a pity that there is no one to explain to them that
it is futile to expect any good from a thing which has been forbidden by the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)!

"Abu Said Kudri (Radi Allaaahu "anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) has forbidden us to blow on anything that is to be drunk. "(Tirmiz).

"Ibn Abbas (Radi Allaahu 'anhu)reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) has forbidden breathing or blowing on utensils." (Tirmizi).
These two traditions prove that what is now being practiced under the veil of religion is
against the precepts and teaching of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)

OTHER PRACTICES

Besides the blowing (Dum), there are many other similar things being done. Some write
Quranic Ayats with saffron on plates and ask people to wash it with water and dring it to
ease their pains and put away any troubles. To some talismans are given with varied
instructions to burn them with certain prayers to purify their house of evil effects. Some
open certain books to forsee the future; some make use of astrology to forecast the future;
(some also use birds). To some, stones of different colors are given to forbidden practices.
If no one wakes up now to guide the misled, then the future looks very bleak indeed.

(FINAL PART #4) TO RECEIVE REWARDS

The usual pretence put forward by such business minded priests is that they are doing it
for the good of the people and there is no gain for them, but the facts prove just opposite.
The sole purpose is to profit themselves. To justify their actions they even resort to the
Hadeeth of the Holy prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The most popular tradition
they resort to is as follows:

Abu Saeed Kudri (Radi Allahu 'anhu) reports that a group of the Copmanions (Radi
Allahu 'anhu') went to an Arab tribe which refused to entertain or help them. At that time
the chief of the tribe was stung bya poisonous insect. The tribesman came to the
Companions (Radi Allaahu 'anhu) and asked them if they had any antidotes or knew of
any chanting to get rid of the poison, or could "blow" on it. One of the Companions (Radi
Allahu 'anhu') said yes, but would help him if they agree to reward them for doing so. An
agreement was reached for a certain number of the Tribesmen's flock. One of the
Companions (Radi Allaahu 'anhu') started reading Sura Fateha and after collecting his
saliva, spat on the site of the sting and the chief was completely cured. As agreed the
tribesman brought the animals to them as a reward. At this stage the Companions (Radi
Allaahu 'anhu') became hesitant and said we will not accept the animals until they have
consulted the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). When they asked the Holy
Prophet (Salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) about this, he smiled and asked them as to how
they knew about "dum" effects of Sura fateha. He then advised them to accept the
animals and asked them to keep his share also. The narration of Suleman Bin Kitah has
the addition that the trobesman sent us the animals and also some food which we ate.
(Bukhari Vol. 2, page 854).

The tradition Hadeeth clearly shows that this was not an ordinary occasion and the
request for reward was because of their urgent needs.

Besides this Hadeeth, there are no pure Hadeeth to show that any of the Companions
(Radi Allaahu 'anhu') had asked for a reward, in such similar conditions. The narration by
Kharja Bin Sal Salat has been ousted as of poor authenticity (deaf). Secondly, this was
not a matter of reward which should have been only for the Companions (Radi Allaahu
'anhu') and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). So to conclude that this was
a "reward", is wrong. The Holy Prophet's (Sallaallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) reply was only
to ease their conscience because at a place where no food was available and the tribe was
unhospitable, things woud have become extremely hard for the Companions (Radi
Allaahu 'anhu'). Because of the extra ordinary circumstances, the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had consoled them so that they may not feel guilty or
hurt. Otherwise the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has strictly forbidden us
to make the Quran as a source of livlihood. There are many Hadeeths on this subjects,
few of them are:

'Abdul Rahman Bin Shabal Anasari reports thtat I have heard the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu wa sallam) say "do read the Quran but do not make it a source of yhour
livelihood". (Masnad Ahmad Vol 3, page 444).'

Buraidah (Radi Allaahu 'anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said.
"He who reads the Quran so that he might thereby get something to eat from the people,
shall so appear on the Day of Judgement that his face will only be a bone on which there
will be no flesh. " (Mishkat, page 193).

This means that those who read the Holy Quran in order to fulfil the needs of this world
will get no share in the hereafter. It is for this reason that Imaam Bukhari in his
compliation of sahih Bukhari, has devoted a whole chapter on the "sin committed by
those who use the Quran for their livelihood; for showing off or use it as a source of
debate. " (see Bukhari 756).

Ubadah bin Assamit said, 'I taught a surah of the Glorious Quran to a man who gave me a
bow as a gift. I mentioned this to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) who said, "if
you are prepared to put a yoke of Hell round your neck, you may accept it." (Abu
Dawood 485).

"The performer (balancer) on a string at a circus is better than the priest who bends
towards wealth, because the performer is gaining his livelihood from the world by world
means whereas the priest (molvee) earns his livelihood from his faith." (Imaan). (Markah
Sharah Mishkat, Vol.2, page 225).

From all that has been said we once again appeal and request all those who make the
Quran as a source of livelihood, not to take any reward for teaching the Quran and anot to
sell commentaries on the Quran, etc. They should fear the wrath of Allah. Remember that
the punishment the present generation is receving is a direct result of their acts of
associating partners to Allah (shirk). If we do not desist from it and repent before Allah
for our misdeeds and make a solemn promise to follow the pure faith of only one Allah,
and submit to Allah's laws (Quran and Sunna) with complete submission, we will be
destroyed completely, as Allah Himself says:

Travel through the Earth and see what was the end of those before you. Most of them
worshipped others besides Allah. "(Surah Rome 30:42).
Yes, if we cleanse our Imaan (faith) from these imurities then will our uneasiness turn
into peace and our degeration turn into respect and honour as promised by Allah Himself
in the Quran.

"It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong that are (truly) in
security, for they are on (right ) guidance." (Surah Anam, 6:82).

In this Ayat, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has himself interpreted the
word "wrong" as asssociating partners with Allah (Shirk). (Bukhari, Muslim).

In conlusion, let us pray that Allah saves the Muslims from these evil practices and the
mischief of these commerically-minded persons and give us the guidance to follow the
one and only pure faith of Allah.

AMEEN

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