Title: Regarding some Superstitious Practices Question: I want to ask about the Islamic point of view (whether it is allowed, etc) about the tradition in marriage ceremonies (especially on Mehndhi ceremony) of circling the money over the head (sometime some people insist on seven times circling it over the head) of groom/bride and then giving it off as khairat [1] to poor. I avoid such kind of public displays because I have a feeling it is a Hindu tradition. But now as my status has changed to a married woman I'll have to face it a lot. And people will be more persistent on my doing this as mami [2] , chachi [3] etc. has to do it. So I'll be thankful if you can clear my confusion over this. h. mahmood Pakistan Answer: I really do not know whether the referred practice originated from the Hindu culture or not. Nevertheless whatever the case may have been the referred practice does not seem to correspond with the practices of the Islamic faith. The idea behind the ritual is to give charity with the purpose of providing the person - upon whose head the money is encircled - immunity from any evil happening. The concept is that the money, which later would be given away as charity, would - somehow - extract all evil happenings from the future of that person. The whole concept, according to my understanding is superstitious in nature and, therefore, a Muslim should strictly refrain from it. Giving away charity is a good deed and when it is done for the sake of winning God's pleasures, it would, insha'Allah , entail great rewards in the Hereafter. Nonetheless, combining this deed of piety with an abominable superstition should not be approved. I would, therefore, suggest that you should not only refrain from participating in such superstitious rituals, but should also develop this awareness in your own relatives as well as in your in-laws. May the Almighty help us and grant us the wisdom to help others to understand the true spirit of God's deen. Regards, Moiz Amjad July 5, 2002 [1] i.e. charity. [2] i.e., aunt for the children of the husband's sisters. [3] i.e., aunt for the children of the husband's brothers.