Does one pray behind one who treats himself with amulets?
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The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 18679 )
Q 4: What is the ruling on amulets and incantations in Islam? Should I pray behind an imam who uses them for treatment, and is I sinful for praying behind him after knowing this?
A 4 : Amulets and incantations fall into three categories: The first category: Those that are amulets and incantations involving shirk (associating partners with Allah),
such as calling for aid from other than Allah, or supplicating to other than Allah, such as the jinn, Shaytan, the awliya (close friends of Allah), or the righteous. These are amulets and incantations involving shirk, and it is not permissible to write them or use them. Whoever writes them, uses them, or promotes them among the people is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), and it is not permissible to pray behind him. The second category: Amulets containing disconnected letters, ciphers, or words whose meaning is not understood, or containing beads, charms, or the like. These are forbidden amulets, provided that one does not believe in their benefit or harm in themselves, but rather considers them a means. Hanging them is considered minor shirk; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): , and in another narration: . Hanging them may also be major shirk if the one who hangs them believes that they ward off calamity by themselves, not that they are a means for it. It is obligatory to advise the person who writes these amulets and warn him against this action. If he responds, that is well; otherwise, it is obligatory for the responsible authority to remove him from leading the prayer, so that people do not be deceived by him and follow him. The prayer behind him is valid if he does not believe that they have benefit in themselves. The third category: Amulets and incantations from the Qur'an, and prescribed supplications written in Arabic words. These are a matter of disagreement among scholars, with two opinions:
The first opinion: That they are permissible, due to their being free from shirk and its means. The second opinion: That they are forbidden, due to the generality of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibition of hanging amulets and the warning against them, such as his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 3883Sahih (Al-Albani) , and his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan al-Bayhaqi 17:557 . This is the correct opinion, due to the generality of the hadiths prohibiting amulets. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 4: What is the ruling on amulets and incantations in Islam? Should I pray behind an imam who uses them for treatment, and is I sinful for praying behind him after knowing this?
A 4 : Amulets and incantations fall into three categories: The first category: Those that are amulets and incantations involving shirk (associating partners with Allah),
such as calling for aid from other than Allah, or supplicating to other than Allah, such as the jinn, Shaytan, the awliya (close friends of Allah), or the righteous. These are amulets and incantations involving shirk, and it is not permissible to write them or use them. Whoever writes them, uses them, or promotes them among the people is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), and it is not permissible to pray behind him. The second category: Amulets containing disconnected letters, ciphers, or words whose meaning is not understood, or containing beads, charms, or the like. These are forbidden amulets, provided that one does not believe in their benefit or harm in themselves, but rather considers them a means. Hanging them is considered minor shirk; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever hangs a tamimah, Allah will not complete for him, and whoever hangs a wada'ah, Allah will not grant him peace.
من تعلق تميمة فلا أتم الله له، ومن تعلق ودعة فلا ودع الله لهWhoever hangs up an amulet has committed shirk.
من تعلق تميمة فقد أشركThe first opinion: That they are permissible, due to their being free from shirk and its means. The second opinion: That they are forbidden, due to the generality of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibition of hanging amulets and the warning against them, such as his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
spells, charms and love-potions are polytheism
إن الرقى والتمائم والتولة شركWhoever hangs up an amulet, Allah will not complete [his affair] for him
من تعلق تميمة فلا أتم الله له
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.