Sunday, August 3, 2008

CHARMS AND AMULETS (TAWEEZ AUR GANDE)

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate Alhamdulilah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from our souls’ evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allaah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) God except Allah – alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His ‘Abd (servant) and messenger
Charms and Amulets
(Summarised from the works of Dr. Bilal Philips and Dr. Muhammad al – Jibaly)
1. Tawheed Islamically Tawheed means to believe that Allaah is the one and only God in all of the things that we do to please Him
i. Tawheed ar – Ruboobeeyyah: Unity of Lordship. This means that we accept Allah as being the only real power in the Universe
ii. Tawheed al – Asma’ was – Sifaat: Unity of Allah’s Names and Attributes. This means to describe Allah according to the names and attributes by which He has described himself in the Qur’an or by those which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to describe the Qur’an or Allah
iii. Tawheed al – ‘Ibadah: Unity of Worship. This means that we direct all of our prayers only to Allah, because He is the only one who is able to answer our prayers.
2. Shirk Shirk Islamically refers to assigning partners to Allaah in whatever form it may take.“Verily, Allaah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.”[The Noble Qur’an, Soorah An-Nisa 4:48]
i. Shirk in Tawheed ar – Ruboobeeyyah: This category of Shirk includes both the belief that others share Allaah’s control and rule over the creation, as well as the belief that there exists no Lord over the creation at all.
ii. Shirk in Tawheed al – Asmaa’ was – Sifaat:This category of Shirk includes both the belief that God is like a man and the belief that man is like God
iii. Shirk in Tawheed al – ‘Ibaadah:This category of Shirk refers to the act of worshipping others along with Allaah
3. Amulets and Charms
It was the practice amoung the Arabs in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to wear arm bracelets, bangles, beaded necklaces, shells, etc., as charms to avert evil and bring good fortune. Faith in charms, amulets and talismans contradicts true belief in Allaah’s Ruboobeeyyah (Lordship) by attributing, to created objects, the power to avert evil and bring good fortune. Islaam opposed all the manifestations of such beliefs that appeared in Arabia during the lifetime of the last Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to establish a foundation on the basis of which similar beliefs and practices would also be condemned and prohibited whenever and wherever they later appeared. Such beliefs, in fact, provide the ideological basis for idol worship in most pagan societies and charms themselves represent a branch of idolatry.
“Say: "Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the (punishment of the) Most Beneficent (Allâh)?" Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.”[The Noble Qur’an, Soorah Al-Anbiya 21:42]
It was narrated from Zaynab the wife of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (May Allaah be pleased with him) from ‘Abd-Allaah that he said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) say, ‘Spells (ruqyah), amulets and love-charms are shirk.” I said, “Why do you say this? By Allaah, 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.” ‘Abd-Allaah said: “That was just the work of the 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 Allaah (peace be upon him) used to say:“‘Idhhabil-ba’s Rabban-naas wa’shfi, a’nt ash-Shaafee, laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uka, shifaa’an laa yughaadiruhu saqamaa.”(Remove the suffering, O’ Lord of mankind, and heal it perfectly, as You are the true healer. There is no cure except Your cure, a cure which is not followed by sickness)”[1]
It was narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir al-Juhani that a group came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [to swear their allegiance (bay’ah) to him]. He accepted the bay’ah of nine of them but not of one of them. They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, you accepted the bay’ah 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, then he (the Prophet (peace be upon him)) accepted his bay’ah. He said, ‘Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk.”[2]
The texts of the hadeeths forbidding talismans do not distinguish between charms containing Qur’aan and those that do not. And, we have no record of the Prophet (peace be upon him) wearing Qur’aanic verses or allowing them to be worn. The wearing of Qur’aanic charms also contradicts the prophetic method of breaking spells and averting evil. The Sunnah is to recite Qur’aanic chapters and verses, when evil approaches (see below).
Wearing the Qur’aan in an amulet is like a sick man given prescription by a doctor. Instead of reading it and getting the medicine, he rolls it into a ball, puts it in a pouch and hands it around his neck, believing that it will make him well.
The practice of producing miniature Qur’aans so small as to be unreadable with the naked eye, for wearing in lockets, invites to Shirk. Similarly, ornaments with Aayat – ul – Kursee written in minute, virtually illegible, letters and worn as pendants also encourages shirk. but most who wear them do so for protection from evil, and as such fall into an aspect of Shirk in the fundamental Islamic principle of Tawheed.
Sheikh al - Albaanee (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “This misguidance is still widespread among the Bedouin, fellahin (peasants) and some of the city-dwellers. Examples include the pearls which some drivers put in their cars, hanging them from the rear-view mirror. Some of them hang an old shoe on the front or back of the car; some hang a horse-shoe on the front of their house or shop. All of that is to ward off the evil eye, or so they claim. And there are other things which are widespread because of ignorance of Tawheed and the things which nullify it such as actions of shirk and idolatry which the Messengers were only sent and the Books were only revealed to put an end to. It is to Allaah that we complain of the ignorance of Muslims nowadays, and their being far away from their religion.”[3]
4. Protection And Cure From The Qur’aan and Sunnah
4.1 Protection For Your Family
1. Recite Soorah Baqarah Aboo Hurayrah (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: “Do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Soorah Baqarah is recited.”[4]
2. Recite the Last Two Verses of Soorah Baqarah Narrated an-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer (May Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When the last two verses of Soorah al-Baqarah are read in a home for three consecutive nights, the devil will not come near it.”[5]
4.2 Protection For Yourself
1. ‘Ajwah Dates
Narrated Saud (May Allaah be pleased with him): I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying, "If Somebody takes seven 'Ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day.”[6]
2. Ayat ul – Kursee
Ubayy bin Ka’b (May Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that he had a harvest of dates. He noticed that it shrunk everyday, and decided to watch it at night. He did, and found a beast that resembled a boy who attained puberty. He gave it salaam, and it responded to his salaam. He asked, “Are you human or jinn?” It replied, “Jinn” He said to it, “Show me your hand.” It showed him its hand, and he saw that it looked like a dog’s and was covered with fur like that of a dog. He exclaimed, “Is this how jinns are like?” It told him, “All jinns know that there is no one among them mightier than me.” He asked it, “What brought you here?” It replied, “We have been informed that you like to give charity, so we can to get some of your food.” He asked it, “What would protect us from you?” It replied, “This aayah from Soorat ul-Baqarah, ‘Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huw al – hay ul – qayyoom,’ (Al – Baqarah 2:255) –whoever says it in the evening, he will be protected from us until the morning; and whoever says it in the morning, he will be protected from us until the evening.”
In the morning, Ubaay can to Allaah Messenger (peace be upon him) and told him about this. The Messenger (peace be upon him) told him, “The evil one has said the truth.”[7]
Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (May Allaah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle deputed me to keep Sadaqat (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily) . I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Apostle ." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Apostle asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Apostle! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Apostle said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again." I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Apostle had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Apostle. He said, "Leave me, for Iam very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go. In the morning Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) asked me, "What did your prisoner do." I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allah's Apostle said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return." I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Apostle as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite "Ayat-al-Kursi" -- 'Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy- ul Qaiyum' till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no Satan will come near you till morning." So, I released him.In the morning, Allah's Apostle asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allah's Apostle asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end ---- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul- Qaiyum--- -.' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.' (Aboo Hurayrah or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Aboo Hurayrah?" Aboo Hurayrah said, "No." He said, "It was Satan!”[8]
3. Soorah al – Ikhlaas (112), Soorah al – Falaq (113), and Soorah an – Naas (114).
‘Abdullaah ibn Khubayb (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported that he went with other men on a dark night seeking the Prophet (peace be upon him) to lead them in prayer. When they found him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Khubayb, “Say!” Not knowing what to say, Khubayb remained silent. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made the same demand two more times. On the third time, Khubayb said, “O Allaah’s Messenger, what should I say?”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Say ‘Qul huw – allaahu ahad’ (Soorah Iklhaas 112), and the mu’awwithaataan (Soorah al – Falaq 113 and Soorah an – Naas 114) three times in the evening and in the morning. This would protect you from all (harmful) things.”[9] read more about these Soorah's with tafsir ... Al Ikhlashttp://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/182 Al Falaqhttp://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/160 An Nashttp://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/144
4. Morning and evening Protection
‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported that Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Nothing would hard a ‘abd (servant/slave) who says three times every morning and evening: “Bism illaah il – lathe laa yadurru ma’ asmihee shay’un fil ardi walaa fis – samaa’I wahuw as – samee’ ul – aleem.”((I shelter myself) with the name of Allaah, the One with whose name nothing can cause harm on earth or in the heaven. He is the Hearer, the Knower.)”[10]
4.3 Protection For Your Children
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (May Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain and say: "Your forefather (i.e. Abraham) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Ishmael and Isaac by reciting the following: “A‘oothu bi kalimaatillaahit- taammati min kulli shaytaanin wa haammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah.”(I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allaah from every devil, poisonous pest and every harmful evil eye.)"[11]
5. The Evil EyeEnvy is one of the greatest evils among Allaah’s creation. It is what caused Satan to rebel against Allaah’s command. And it is what causes the people to make plots and inflict wars against each other. One of envy’s ugly manifestations is the evil eye. When envious people look at something that they admire, their look may cause an immediate harm or damage to that thing. Aboo Thar (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The evil eye sends a man into his grave, and a camel into the cooking pot.”[12]
5. 1 Curing The Evil Eye
1. Dua
'Aa'ishah (the wife of Allah's Apostle) (May Allaah be pleased with her) said: When Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) fell ill. Gabriel used to recite these verses:“Bismillahi yubreeka wa min kulli daa’in yashfeeka wa min sharri haasidin ithaa hasad wa sharri kulli thee ‘ayn.”(In the name of Allaah, may He make you well and may He cure you from every ill, from the evil of the jealous when they envy, and from the harm of the evil eye.)."[13]
2. Bath
In cases of suffering from the evil eye, the Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended taking a bath with water used by the source of the evil eye.
Ibn 'Abbaas (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: “The influence of an evil eye is a fact; if anything would precede the destiny it would be the influence of an evil eye, and when you are asked to take bath (as a cure) from the influence of an evil eye, you should take bath.”[14]
‘Aa’ishah (May Allaah be pleased with her) also said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to instruct the possessor of the evil eye to perform ablution (wudoo’) and then for the one suffering to bathe from its water.[15]
And It is Only Allah Who grants success. May Allah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.
References:·
Dr. Aboo Ameenah Bilal Philips
‘Three Shelters Course,’ www.islamiconlineun iversity. com/moodle‘Fundamentals of Tawheed,’ IIPH, 2nd Edition, 2005‘Islamic Studies Books 1-3,’ IIPH·
Dr. Muhammad al – Jibaly
‘Our Precious Sprouts,’ al – Kitaab and as – Sunnah Publishing, 2002‘Sickness,’ al – Kitaab and as – Sunnah Publishing, 2nd Edition, 2003
[1]Sunan Aboo Dawood, Number 3883; Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 3530; Classed as Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘al-Silsilat al-Saheehah’, Number 331 and 2972; as quoted in http://www.islam- qa.com/en/ ref/10543
[2]Narrated by Ahmad, Number 16,969; Classed as Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘al-Silsilah al-Saheehah’, Number 492; as quoted in http://www.islam- qa.com/en/ ref/10543
[3]Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, 1/890, 492; as quoted in http://www.islam- qa.com/en/ ref/10543
[4]Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1707
[5]Sunan at-Tirmithee and Ibn Hibban and Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmithee, vol. 3, p. 4, no. 2311; as quoted in ‘Three Shelters Course’, Module 15, p. 8 – 9
[6]Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 7, Book 71, Number 664
[7]Recorded by an – Nasaa’ee and at – Tabaraanee. Verified to be Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘Saheeh ut – Targheeb wat – Tarheeb’, Number 662; as quoted in ‘Sickness’, p. 207
[8]Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 38, Number 505t
[9]Sunan Aboo Daawood, Sunan at – Tirmithee, and others; Verified to be Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘Saheeh ut – Targheeb wat – Tarheeb’, Number 649; as quoted in ‘Sickness’, p. 204
[10]Sunan Aboo Daawood, Sunan at – Tirmithee, and others; Verified to be Saheeh (authentic) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘Saheeh ut – Targheeb wat – Tarheeb’, Number 655; as quoted in ‘Sickness’, p. 123
[11]Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 590
[12]Recorded by Aboo Nu’aym, Ibn ‘Adiyy, and others. Classed as Hasan (good) by Sheikh al – Albaanee in ‘as – Saheehah’, Number 1249; as quoted in ‘Sickness’, p. 213
[13]Saheeh Muslim, Book 026, Number 5424
[14]Saheeh Muslim, Book 026, Number 5427
[15]Sunan Aboo Daawood, vol.3, p.1088, no.3871; authenticated by Sheikh al- Arnaa’oot in ‘at-Tibb an-Nabawee,’ p.163, ftn.1.; as quoted in ‘Three Shelters Course’, Module 9, p. 5 – 6
ASSALAM O ALAIKUM

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