WEARING OF A (TA’WEEZ) GUARD
Question:
As Salaamu Alaikum.
Is it permissible for one to wear (Ta’wez) a “guard” or “talisman in Islam? It’s a small piece of paper that has inscriptions on it perhaps in Urdu (I’m not sure) and it’s given to a person by a Maulana to wear? If I am of the opinion that this item itself is not “magical” and I believe in one Allah , (no partners associated with him ) and I see the guard as a sort of medicine..similar to when one goes to a doctor for help.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum AS Salaamu.
Bismillahi Wa Billahi At Tawfeeq
The great scholar As Suyuti (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The permissibility of wearing Ta’wize is permissible once three conditions are met:
- That they consist of the names of Allah Almighty or his attributes
- That they are in Arabic and that its meaning is known
- The user does not believe the words have any affect in themselves, but are empowered to do so by Allah Most High.
(Al Mawsooah Al Fiqhiyah 13/26)
The great Hanafi Jurist, Ibn Abideen (May Allah Have Mercy Upon Him) said:
Using Ta’wize is only impermissible if it is written in a Non- Arabic language, in that its meaning is not known. They may consist of black magic, disbelief or impermissible invocations. However, if they consist of Qur’anic verses or prescribed supplications (duas), then there is nothing wrong with using them.
(Fatawa Shami 6/363)
Based on the above, the Ulama have said that the use of ta’wize is permissible once the above conditions are fulfilled. The Ta’wiz is, as you stated in your question considered to be medicine, which is permissible. As such, the use of such medication is not against the principles of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and Tawhid (oneness of Allah).
However, it is not permissible to regard the Ta’wiz to be effective in itself, just as it is not permissible to regard medicines to be effective in themselves. Also the Ta’wiz should not contain any words of kufr or shirk.
Since the Ta’wiz contains a verse of Quran or the names of Allah, care should be taken that they are removed before entering the toilet.
Fatawa Hindiyya 5/435 states:
“There is nothing wrong with hanging ta’wize, but one should take them off before going to the toilet and before intercourse.”
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waheeb Saiyed
21/05/2019