Title: Use of Taweez (Talismans) Question: I wanted to know whether we can use Taweez made from ayat of holy Quran. Some of the Ahadith from Malik Muatta are as follows which refer to such talismans: Section: Guarding from the Evil Eye Book 50, Number 50.2.3: Yahya related to me from Malik that Humayd ibn Qays al-Makki said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with the two sons of Jafar ibn Abi Talib. He said to their nursemaid, 'Why do I see them so thin?' Their nursemaid said, 'Messenger of Allah, the evil eye goes quickly to them. Nothing stops us from asking someone to make talismans (using ayats of Qur'an) for them, except that we do not know what of that would agree with you.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Make talismans for them. Had anything been able to precede the decree, the evil eye would precede it.' " Book 50, Number 50.2.4: Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Sulayman ibn Yasar that Urwa ibn az-Zubayr told him that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, entered the house of Umm Salama, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. There was a child weeping in the house, and they told him that it was from the evil eye. Urwa said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Why do you not find someone to make a talisman to protect it from the evil eye?' Book 50, Number 50.4.9: Yahya related to me from Malik from Yazid ibn Khusayfa that Amr ibn Abdullah ibn Kab as-Salami told him that Nafi ibn Jubayr told him that Uthman ibn Abi al-As came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Uthman said that he had a pain which was enough to kill him. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Rub it with your right hand seven times and say, 'I take refuge with the might of Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel.' " Uthman added, "I said that, and Allah removed what I had. I still command my family and others to say it." Book 50, Number 50.4.10: Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Urwa ibn az-Zubayr from A'isha that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he had a complaint, would recite the last three suras of Qur'an, over himself and blow. She said, "When his pain was great, I would recite it over him and wipe him with his right hand hoping for its blessing." Book 50, Number 50.4.11: Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Amra bint Abd ar-Rahman that Abu Bakr as-Siddiq visited A'isha while she had a complaint and a jewish woman was writing a talisman for her. Abu Bakr said, "Write it for her from the Book of Allah." Answer: Amulets, talismans, charms, spells, and whatever method man has concocted to alleviate himself of perceived burdens have no place in Islam. A Muslim turns to God Almighty for guidance and deliverance; any assistance sought without God is futile and empty of His blessings. It is also a dangerous game one plays when placing trust in things that cannot produce the desired effect and instead are only attributed with having the power to make change. It is thus our understanding that such practices are generally not approved by Islam. The ahadith (traditions) you have provided have several issues that need to be cleared up before arriving at a conclusion: Hadith number 1680 (Book 50, Number 50.2.3) is deemed "munqat" (broken) by Ibn Abd Al-Barr in Al Tamheed. Therefore, its authenticity comes into question. Also, if you read carefully you will find that the Qur'an is not mentioned in the hadith and it is merely the translator's insertion in parentheses that it refers to verses of the Qur'an. The second hadith (Book 50, Number 50.2.4) contains a translation error instead of, "'why do you not find someone to make a talisman to protect it from the evil eye" it should be: "Do you not protect him by means of a prayerful incantation?" This hadith also does not contain mention of the Qur'an. There is no reference to use specific words of the Qur'an for this purpose; if that was the purpose, the Prophet (pbuh) would have taught the Muslims. The third hadith is merely a prayer. Whenever any pain or suffering, mental anguish or otherwise afflicts us we may turn to God in prayer. There is nothing related to talisman, amulet, or spell. One should take any prescribed medication and pray to God for any assistance. The fourth hadith is also a prayer just as the third one. Again, there is no mention of charms or talismans in this hadith. Lastly, the fifth hadith should be understood in the light of a prayer being written by the Jewish woman. In this instance, also, there is no mention of talismans. Regardless of the issues mentioned above, these ahadith should be interpreted to imply the use of a prayer. This prayer can be recited or written. It may contain words of the Qur'an or a personal supplication to the Almighty. All these are valid. What is not acceptable is placing one's trust in objects such as amulets, talismans, writings, or any other thing that in reality have no power to help us. There is a hadith that mentions the Prophet commanding the Muslims to cut talismans from their camels. If we take this into consideration we can apply it to the general outlook on such charms: Narrated Abu Bashir Al-Ansari: That he was in the company of Allah's Apostle on some of his journeys. (The sub-narrator 'Abdullah adds, "I think that Abu Bashir also said, 'And the people were at their sleeping places.") Allah's Apostle sent a messenger ordering: "There shall not remain any necklace of string or any other kind of necklace round the necks of camels except it is cut off." - Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 249 Seeing that this affirmative command was made we should appreciate that necklaces for protection or luck or any such benefit is baseless and contrary to our reliance on God. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan February 9, 2007