Q 3: Is it permissible for a sick person to wear an amulet which contains Du`a's (supplications) reported by the Prophet, some noble Ayahs (Qur`anic verses), phrases of making Tawassul (supplicating to Allah through a means) by Awliya' (pious people), Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and righteous people or something of the sort which contains strange non-Arabic words or (Part No. 1; Page No. 319) star drawings or bears the names of the Prophet (peace be upon him) for the purpose of averting harm or bringing benefit. I also want to tell you that my mother is used to going to soothsayers who design these articles. They tell her that the whole family is bewitched but we do not obey her or believe what she says. She may mix the medicine they give her with our food and drink. She may also put the amulets in our clothes without our knowledge. When we found amulets with our names written on them, we disapproved of it but she did not care.

A: Firstly: It is forbidden for a person to wear an amulet, put it in their clothes or hang it in a house thinking that it provides benefit or prevents harm. Wearing it is an act of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) as it falls in the category of prohibited amulets. This prohibition is implied in the general meaning of the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Spells, charms and love-potions are Shirk. In another Hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever wears an amulet commits an act of Shirk . Secondly: We appreciate the advice you gave to your mother and your disapproval of what she did. You should keep advising and directing her and disapproving of her un-Islamic practices respectfully. May Allah guide her to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) from these Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) acts. You are not to be blamed for what she does, (Part No. 1; Page No. 320) but you should advise her not to do it again and keep disapproving of it.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.