Alhamdu li'Llah. Indeed all glory and praise is due to Allah 
.
We glorify and praise him and we ask him for help and forgiveness.
In Allah we seek refuge from the evils in ourselves and from
our wrong doing. He whom Allah guides shall not be misguided,
and he whom he misguides shall never be guided. I bear witness that
there is no {true} elah {god} except Allah , alone without
any partners; and I bear witness that Muhammad 
is His 'Abd
(Devoted servent and worshiper) and Messenger. Verily, the best words
are those of Alllah ; the best guidance is that of Muhammmad ;
the worst matters {of creed or worship} are those innovated {by people};
for, every such innovated matter is a bid'ah; and every bidah is a
misguidance that shall reside in the fire.
The cause of the degradation and downfall of the present day Muslims
is not that they lack spritual guidance or are backward in Islamic
education! The real reason for their back sliding stems from those Muslims
that have started associating partners with Allah . They've even
begun to rely on these so-called "partners" for asssistance in daily life.
The tragedy of it is the fact that some of our saints and teachers
have had a leading role in this great deception. They mislead their
community from the noble path of believing in the one and only Allah .
These scholars and leaders improve their own economic worth by
fabricating new fads and rituals while padding their own pockets. Of
exactly such persons that Allah has said in the Holy Quran:
O Ya who believe! There are indeed many amongest the priests
and anchorites who in falsehood devour the substenance of man and hinder
them from the way of Aallah.
Sura Tauba (9:34)
It is a well known fact that these type of people not only sell their
judgements and accept rewards for them, but they also lead the world into
a vicious cycle of disbelief. They manifest this disbelief in the form of
bizarre religious practices. As a result of these practices, their
followers become addicted and can not cope with routine life without resorting
to these "new" rituals for strength and security.
When a call is made for a return to purity and sincere faith in the unity
of Allah , these are the people who with the aid of their gimmickry
place obstacles in the path. So obvious are these road blocks that one is
left in amazement by their actions. Like the priest and leaders of Children
of Israel, these so-called aaleems (scholars) and their saints have raised
the business of talisman to it's current zenith. These people closely
resemble those exposed by Quranic aayats of Sura Al Baqarah:
And when there came to them an apostle from Allah, confirming
what was with them, a Party of the People of the Book threw the Book of
Allah behind their backs. As if (it had been something) they did not know!
They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of
Solomon: the blashmers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men
magic, and such things as came down to Babylon to the angels Harut and
Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying:
'we are only for trial; so do not blaspheme.
They learned from them the means to sow discord between husband and wife.
But they could thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they
learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the
buyers of magic would have no share in the Hereafter. And vile was the
price for which they did sell their souls: if they but knew!
Al Baqarah (2:101 and 2:102)
Conduct a random search of the necks of most present day Muslims,
the majority will be wearing a paper talisman, miniature Quran, rosary,
thread or small razor, etc. Some will be wearing a metallic bracelet
or thread around their leg, arm or stomach. They apparently believe
these charms will avert bad luck evil spirits, ilness, etc. These talisman,
threads, potions and their likes have not been sanctioned by the Holy
Prophet have said about these practices:
Abdullah bin Masood 
reports that I have heard the Holy Prophet saying
that blowing (dum), Taweez (talismans), threads and potions are all shirk.
Mishkaat Sharif, pg 389
The practice of love potions like talisman, etc., have also become
very common. Many men and women resort to them to win another's love,
even if the other person is legally married according to Islamic rites.
Here is another traddition of our Prophet :
Uqba bin Amir Al Jehni relates that a group of people came to
the Holy Prophet to make a religious pledge (Bait). The Holy
Prophet accepted the pledge from nine of the groups and left
one out. The companions asked the Holy Prophet as to why he did
not accept the pledge of the one who was left out. The reply was:
"I did not make Bait with him because he was wearing a Talisman."
On hearing this that person drew the Talisman, out and destroyed it.
Thereafter, the Holy Prophet accepted his pledge (bait) and said
whoever wears a talisman, he associates partners with Allah (i.e. he practices Shirk).
Masnad Ahmed, Vol. 4 Pg. 156
Does this hadith not show that all types of talisman are forbidden?
Otherwise the Holy Prophet would have definitely at first enquired
whether the Taweez had any Quranic writings or the illustrious names of
Allah . At the sight of the talisman, he turned his face away and
refused the pledge. This conclusively proves that the practice of talisman
is an evil practice, and not sanctioned by the Holy Prophet .
Talisman for cures
Let us see what the Holy Prophet has to say about these.
Esa Bin Hamza (Rahimahullah) says, I visited Abdullah Bin Akeem
(Rahimahullah) during his sickness; he was suffering from a sickness
called "Hamra". I asked him why he was not wearing the talisman that
was meant for the sickness specifically. He relied, "May Allah save
me from the talisman. The Holy Prophet has said , whoever hangs
anything he will be entrusted to that thing only.
Abu Dawood, Mishkat pg. 389; Tirmizi Vol. 2, pg. 28
This previous hadith once again proves that if one uses a talisman
to avoid evil spirits or influences, to cure sickness or to remove
any calamities, then Allah will not help him, and he will be
entrusted to the talisman or potions to solve his problems.
When an earnest and sincere appeal is made to these commerical
minded purveyors of talisman etc., to desist from these evil practices
which will destroy their own faith (imaan) and their fate in
the Hereafter, their only defence will come in the form of a hadith
of the Holy Prophet , which they will quote:
It was reported by Mohammed Bin Isak that Abdullah Bin Umar Bin
Alaas relates that the Holy Prophet used to teach the following
prayers for those who used to be frightened in their sleep:
"I seek refuge with the completer words of Allah from His anger and
the mischief of the people and from the suggestions of the evil
ones and their visits to me."
The report states further that Abdullah used to teach the
prayers to those who could memorize and recite it and used to write
it and hang it around those children who could not recite it.
Abu Dawood (543), Tirmizi Mishkat (217)
There are many reasons why this tradition should not be taken
very seriously; some of them are:
- This tradition according to the scale of acceptance of hadiths
is considered to be very poor (deaf) in quality by the majority of
Muslims scholars.
- The companions who allegedly hung the talisman is himself a
narrator of another hadith in which the Holy Prophet had
frowned upon talisman; it reads as follows:
Abdullah Bin Umar Bin Alaas states that I have heard the Holy
Prophet say that "if I indulge in three things then it means
that I cannot discriminate between what is right and what is wrong.
The three things are: firstly, if I use a antidote (panecea) which
contains alcohol or snakes meat. Secondly, if I hang a talisman and
thirdly, if I practice poetry."
How can a companion who states this hadith do a thing contrary to
his teachings?
- The reporters, Mohammmed Bin Isak and Umar bin Shoib have been
unanimously condemned as unreliable and called liars by various
Muslim scholars like Immam Malik (Rahimahullah) and many others.
- Finally there are no companions of the Holy Prophet
or the tabeens (those who saw the Companions only) who have santioned
or allowed the Talisman. To attach their names to such practice is
indeed a calumny.
The judgement of the Tabein
It has been said by Waki Saeed Bin Jabeer (Rahimahullah) that
"whoever removes a taweez he has liberated a soul". Waki said that
ibrahim Nakhi was the teacher of Imaam Hanifa (Rahimahullah) said
that all the companions and Tabein have forbidden the use of Talisman
regardless of whether it contained Quranic verses or ayats.
Many put forth the argument that the Quran itself proclaimed itself
as a cire and healer. The answer to this is that the cure is not in
hanging it around the neck but by using it as shown to us by Allah and
His Holy Prophet . The Quran would be a healer and cure if it is
read with understanding, benefiting from its contents and decorating
the actions sincerely with the noble charateristics as showen in it.
Honey has been called a cure in the Quran itself, but surely no one
goes around carrying a bottle of honey around one's neck all the time.
Similarly, the doctor's phamacopia contains all the cures but a sick
person would not dare carry it around his neck for cure purposes. It
is for such persons that the Holy Quran has said:
And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as
partners) with Him
Surah Yusuf (12:106)
Talisman containing Quranic ayats are forbidden
One of the foremost Muslim scholars, Aabubaka Ral-Arabi
(Rahimahullaah) has concluded that to wear the Quran is not according
to the precepts of the Holy Prophet . The right thing is to obtain
guidance from the Quran and not to wear it.
The threads and strings
The tying of threads and strings also becomes very common. Some use
it for curing fever, some for averting fevers, some for averting
spirits etc. The Holy Prophet forbids these practices of
associating partners to Allah (SHIRK) even on animals, and had them
removed.
Abu Bashir Al Anasari says: "I was with the Holy Prophet on a
journey when he sent a proclamation with the message that under no
circumstances any threads to be tied around the animals."
(These things were relics of days before Islam when it was thought
to protect the animals.)
Urwah (Rahimahullah) relates that Huzaifa Bin Alyam (Rahimahullah)
once went to visit an ailing person. He saw a thread around the sick
person's arm. Huzaifan cut the thread off and read the Quranic Ayats
from Surah Yusuf:
And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as
partners) with Him
Surah Yusuf (12:106)
Bracelets and medallion wearers will not enter
paradise, but they will enter hell fire
Imraan Bin Hussain (Rahimahullah) reports that the Holy
Prophet saw a copper bangle on a person's hand. He
asked him the reason for the copper bangle and was told that
it was for the treatment of the weakness and sickness in his
arm. The Holy Prophet replied that on the contrary it
will increase the weakness of the arm and if he were to die
with it on, then he will not be successful in the hereafter
(i.e. he will not enter paradise).
Ahmed, ibn-e-Hembal
Knife and razors on children
Some people believe that children are quickly affected by
evil spirits. As a prevention, every house should have a
steel knife, blade or scissors. If the child leaves the
house, the steel object must be with the child. This is once
again a legacy of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. Let us
see what the Holy Prophet's wife, Ayesha 
had
to say about this very common practice:
The mother of the faithful Ayesha used to receive
newly born children brought by their parents for her to
pray to Allah for His blessings on them. On one occasion,
she noticed a child wearing a blade and enquired what it was
for, and was told that it was a prevention againest jinns.
Aysha removed the blade and threw it away and
forbade the parents from doing anything of that sort. She
said that the Holy Prophet was strongly againest such
actions and that is why she is forbidding them also.
Imam Bukhari, p#180 Adabul Mufrad
Exorcism
The peddlers of this religious fad have come out with
innumerable stories or tales about jins (spirits) which
greatly assist them in their business.
The stories of a Jinn posssessing people is a fraud. Even
if thousands come forward with their own observations of
Jinns and their effects it cannot be true. It is unfortunate
that people bring forth reports of Saad Bin Ibadah
was martyred by Jinn in Syria. The Muslim scholars all agree
that this is completely wrong and a figment of their
imagination. The same applies to the story of Abdullah Bin
masood removing the effects of a Jinn. Such stories
are created by the commerical minded. The truth is that so far
history has not shown anyone being slain by jinns. Neither
have police anywhere in this world come to the conclusion that
a certain crime was done by jinns (or spirits).
Jabir Bin Abdullah reports that the Holy prophet
was asked about these "Nushra" (the name given to the
people who remove spirits). The reply was:
"It is the work of the Devil (Shaitan)".
Abu Dawood, Vol. 2, page 40
These purveyors of talisman, etc., are not only satisified
by their actions but also go a step further and claim to be
able to see the unknown and forecast the future. To some they
say goods are under the shadow of a jinn and I know the way
out. To others they say, if you loose any of your objects or
goods come to us and we will show you where it is. For some
they read their palms and claim to have observer somethings.
They utter words their weakminded clients who do not offer
any objections. To some members of the family, they will give
a talisman, ask him to bury it at a certain fixed spot. Later
they will direct other to the same spot and ask them to remove
and destroy the talisman. They say it was buried by their
enemies and was causing their troubles. In this way, they make
whole families fight each other and indirectly filling their
own pockets. May Allah save us from such people, Ameen.
Blowing on water (Dum)
This practice has also been caught on just like the
talisman, threads, etc. You often see people lined up outside
the mosques after the regular prayers with containers of water
awaiting the namazees to blow on it. This is most evident on
the last night of Tarawih in Ramadaan when large number of
bottles are placed before the huffaz to blow on. All this
being done in the name of religion! It is a pity that there
is no one to explain to them that it is futile to expect any
good from a thing which has been forbidden by the Holy Prophet
!
Abu Said Kudri reports that the Holy Prophet
has forbidden us to blow on anything that is to be drunk.
Tirmizi
Ibn Abbas reports that the Holy Prophet has
forbidden breathing or blowing on utensils.
Tirmizi
These two traditions prove that what is now being
practiced under the veil of religion is against the precepts
and teaching of the Holy Prophet .
Other practices
Besides the blowing (Dum), there are many other similar
things being done. Some write Quranic Ayats with saffron on
plates and ask people to wash it with water and drink it to
ease their pains and put away any troubles. To some
talismans are given with varied instructions to burn them
with certain prayers to purify their house of evil effects.
Some open certain books to forsee the future; some make use
of astrology to forecast the future; (some also use birds).
To some, stones of different colors are given to forbidden
practices. If no one wakes up now to guide the misled, then
the future looks very bleak indeed.
To receive rewards
The usual pretence put forward by such business minded
priests is that they are doing it for the good of the people
and there is no gain for them, but the facts prove just
opposite. The sole purpose is to profit themselves. To
justify their actions they even resort to the Hadeeth of the
Holy Prophet . The most popular tradition they resort to
is as follows:
Abu Saeed Kudri reports that a group of the
Copmanions went to an Arab tribe which refused to
entertain or help them. At that time the chief of the tribe
was stung by a poisonous insect. The tribesman came to the
Companions and asked them if they had any antidotes or knew
of any chanting to get rid of the poison, or could "blow" on
it. One of the Companions said yes, but would help
him if they agree to reward them for doing so. An agreement
was reached for a certain number of the Tribesmen's flock.
One of the Companions started reading Sura Fateha
and after collecting his saliva, spat on the site of the
sting and the chief was completely cured. As agreed the
tribesman brought the animals to them as a reward. At this
stage the Companions became hesitant and said we will not
accept the animals until they have consulted the Holy Prophet
. When they asked the Holy Prophet about this,
he smiled and asked them as to how they knew about "dum"
effects of Sura Fateha. He then advised them to accept the
animals and asked them to keep his share also.
The narration of Suleman Bin Kitah has the addition that the
tribesman sent us the animals and also some food which we ate.
Bukhari Vol. 2, page 854
The tradition Hadeeth clearly shows that this was not an
ordinary occasion and the request for reward was because of
their urgent needs.
Besides this Hadeeth, there are no pure Hadeeth to show
that any of the Companions had asked for a reward, in such
similar conditions. The narration by Kharja Bin Sal Salat
has been ousted as of poor authenticity (deaf). Secondly, this
was not a matter of reward which should have been only for
the Companions and the Holy Prophet . So to conclude
that this was a "reward", is wrong. The Holy Prophet's
reply was only to ease their conscience because at a place
where no food was available and the tribe was unhospitable,
things would have become extremely hard for the Companions.
Because of the extra ordinary circumstances, the Holy Prophet
had consoled them so that they may not feel guilty or
hurt. Otherwise the Holy Prophet has strictly forbidden
us to make the Quran as a source of livlihood. There are many
Hadeeths on this subjects, few of them are:
Abdul Rahman Bin Shabal Anasari reports that I have heard
the Holy Prophet say "do read the Quran but do not
make it a source of yhour livelihood".
Masnad Ahmad Vol 3, page 444
Buraidah reports that Rasulullah said. "He who
reads the Quran so that he might thereby get something to eat
from the people, shall so appear on the Day of Judgement that
his face will only be a bone on which there will be no flesh."
Mishkat, page 193
This means that those who read the Holy Quran in order to
fulfill the needs of this world will get no share in the
hereafter. It is for this reason that Imaam Bukhari in his
compliation of Sahih Bukhari, has devoted a whole chapter on
the "sin committed by those who use the Quran for their
livelihood; for showing off or use it as a source of debate."
see Bukhari 756.
Ubadah bin Assamit said, 'I taught a surah of the Glorious
Quran to a man who gave me a bow as a gift. I mentioned this
to Rasulullah who said, "if you are prepared to put a
yoke of Hell round your neck, you may accept it."
Abu Dawood 485
The performer (balancer) on a string at a circus is better
than the priest who bends towards wealth, because the
performer is gaining his livelihood from the world by worldly
means whereas the priest (molvee) earns his livelihood from
his faith (Imaan).
Markah Sharah Mishkat, Vol.2, page 225
From all that has been said we once again appeal and
request all those who make the Quran as a source of
livelihood, not to take any reward for teaching the Quran and
not to sell commentaries on the Quran, etc. They should fear
the wrath of Allah. Remember that the punishment the present
generation is receving is a direct result of their acts of
associating partners to Allah (shirk). If we do not desist
from it and repent before Allah for our misdeeds and make a
solemn promise to follow the pure faith of only one Allah,
and submit to Allah's laws (Quran and Sunna) with complete
submission, we will be destroyed completely, as Allah Himself
says:
Travel through the Earth and see what was the end of those
before you. Most of them worshipped others besides Allah.
Surah Rome 30:42
Yes, if we cleanse our Imaan (faith) from these impurities
then will our uneasiness turn into peace and our degeration
turn into respect and honour as promised by Allah Himself in
the Quran:
It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with
wrong that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right)
guidance.
Surah Anam, 6:82
In this Ayat, the Holy Prophet has himself
interpreted the word "wrong" as asssociating partners with
Allah (Shirk).
Bukhari, Muslim
In conlusion, let us pray that Allah saves the Muslims
from these evil practices and the mischief of these
commerically-minded persons and give us the guidance to
follow the one and only pure faith of Allah.
AMEEN
A Publication of:
Masjid-e-Tauhid
Tauhid Road
P.O.Box 7027
Keamari, Karachi
PAKISTAN
ISLAMIC VIEW POINT ON TALISAMAN (TAWEEZ)
by DR MASUD-UD-DIN USMANI