2. Wearing Amulets

Amulets are objects worn, especially around the neck. as a charm against evil or injury. The pre-Islamic Arabs used to attach them to their children to guard them against evil and envious eyes. Amulets may consist of bones or beads and may contain handwritings which all are deemed impermissible. Amulets may include pieces ofthe Qur';1n. In such a case, scholars disagree on its permissibility. The preponderant opinion, however, is that it is imper­ missible since it may open the way for further evil practices by using other pieces of writing. There is, moreover, no exception of the Quran from the Legal Texts prohibiting wearing amulets. Ibn Mas' ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "1 heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, 'Using (illegal) incantations, amulets, and tiwalah (a kind of magic used to make a woman love her husband) is an act ofdisbelief." (Related by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawftd) Moreover, 'Uqbah Ibn 'knir narrated, as a marfo' (traceable) badith, that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever wears an amulet has done an act ofdisbelief.' These f1adiths involve a general ruling, as they do not involve any specification. 3. Seeking Blessings from Trees, Stones, Antiquities and Plants Seeking blessings from trees, stones, antiquities or plants is an act ofmajor polytheism, since it implies having affection for objects other than Allah. The idolaters used to worship the idols to seek blessings therewith. Thus, seeking bleSSingS by visiting tombs of righteous people is like worshipping AI-Lat (an idol used to be worshipped before Islam). Similarly, seeking blessings from trees and stones is like seeking the blessings of AI- 'Uzza (an idol used to be worshipped before Islam). Abu Waqid AI-Laythi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "We went along with the Messenger ofAllah (PBUH) before (the Battle of) Hunayn. At that time, we were new to Islam. We passed by a lote tree belonging to the polytheists who were intent in devotion to it and they used to hang their arms on it. We said, '0 Messenger of Allah! Make a tree for us Dhatu Anwat (a tree to hang our arms on) as the disbelievers have Dhatu Anwat.' The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Allah is the Greatest! (You have followed the evil) traditions (of previous nations.) By the One in Whose Hand my life is, you have said the same as the Children ofIsrael said to Musa (Moses), ~ ..makefor us a godjust as they have gods.' He said, 'Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.. .' (Quran: AI-A'ra!: 138) You willfollow the traditions of those (nations) before you.' " (Related by Al-Tirmidhi who deemed it ~ahih)