Position of Islam on charms and omens

Wearing and having faith that charms, amulets and talismans can bring about good fortune or avert evil contradict true belief in Allah’s Lordship (At-Tawhid Rububiyah). This is because the wearer of charm and amulets has attributed the power to avert evil and the ability to bring about good fortune to created objects. The Arabs in […]

Wearing and having faith that charms, amulets and talismans can bring about good fortune or avert evil contradict true belief in Allah’s Lordship (At-Tawhid Rububiyah). This is because the wearer of charm and amulets has attributed the power to avert evil and the ability to bring about good fortune to created objects.
The Arabs in the time of Allah’s Messenger, Muhammad (SAW) used to wear arm bracelets, bangles, rings, beaded necklaces, etc., as charms to avert evil and bring about good fortune.
When some of them accepted Islam, they continued to do this and Prophet Muhammad forbade them from the practice.
‘Imran bn Husayn reported that when the Prophet saw a brass bangle on a man’s upper arm, he said to him, “Woe be to you! What is this?” The man replied that it was to protect him from a sickness called al-Waahinah (weakness). The Prophet then said: “Take it off, for verily it would only increase your weakness. And, if you died with it on, you would never succeed”. (Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibbaan).
Also, Abu Waqid al-Laythee reported that when Allah’s Messenger set out for Hunayn (the site of the last major battle between the Prophet and Arabian pagan tribes which took place in the 10th year after Hijran), they passed by a tree called Dhatu anwaat (that which has things hanging on it). The idol worshippers used to hang their weapons on its branches for good fortune. Some of the companions of the Prophet who were new in Islam asked him to designate a similar tree for them. The Prophet replied, “SubhaanaLLaah! This is just like what Moses’ people said to him; “Make a god for us just like their gods! (Collected by At-Tirmidhee, an-Nasaa’ee and Ahmad).
He, Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, further emphasised the seriousness of wearing amulets by cursing those who do so. Uqbah bn ‘Aamir said the Prophet once said: “May Allah cause failure and unrest to whoever wears a talisman or put it on others.” (Ahmad and al-Haakim).
He, (‘Uqbah) also reported that when a group of 10 men came to the Prophet, he only accepted the oath of allegiance (Bay’aah) from nine.
They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you take the covenant from nine of us and refuse this man?” The Prophet answered: “Verily he has a talisman on him.” The man then put his hand in his cloak, brought out the talisman and broke it. When the Prophet finished taking the oath from him, he turned and said, “Whoever wears a talisman has committed Shirk”. (Collected by at-Tirmidhi and Ahmad).
So, these hadiths show that wearing of copper, brass or iron bracelets, bangles and even rings by the sick or the healthy in the belief that they will avert or take away sickness is Shirk (polytheism) and therefore forbidden.
Prophet Muhammad’s companions strictly followed his commands with regard to forbiddance of charms and amulets. There are reports that show they openly opposed wearing of charms and amulets in the society as well as among their families.
‘Urwah reported that when the companion, Hudhayfah bn al-Yaman (RA), visited a sick man and saw a bracelet on the man’s upper-arm, he removed it and broke it. Hudhayfah then recited the verse: “Most of them who believe in Allah commit Shirk (surah Yusuf 12:106).
In a relatively similar incident, he (Hudhayfah) touched the upper arm of a sick man and discovered a cord bracelet around it. When he asked what it was, the man said: “It is something containing a spell made especially for me.” Hudhayfah then tore it off the man’s arm and said,
“If you had died with it on, I would never have made the funeral prayer for you!” (Ibn Wakee’).
Also, another companion ‘Abdullah bn Mas’ud saw a cord necklace around his wife’s neck and he asked what it was, and she answered: “It is a cord in which spell has been placed to help me. He snatched it from her, broke it up and said, “Surely the family of ‘Abdullah has no need for Shirk (polytheism).