Many people turn to taweez (amulets) believing that these small objects, often filled with Quranic verses or symbols, bring protection, success, or healing. Some wear them for business prosperity, others for protection from the evil eye, and many rely on them for harmony in their homes.
The question that arises, however, is: Is taweez permissible in Islam? Or does it contradict the essence of Tawheed (pure monotheism)?
In this article, we will explore the Islamic ruling on taweez, referring to authentic hadiths, the understanding of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ, and the scholarly consensus. If you or someone you know relies on a taweez, this might be an eye-opening read that challenges long-held beliefs.
What Is a Taweez?
The term taweez is known by different names across cultures:
- Tamimah (تَمِيمَةٌ) in Arabic
- Hirsi among Somali communities
- Tawiz in the South Asian subcontinent
A taweez is an object—often a piece of paper, string, metal, or leather—inscribed with Quranic verses, symbols, numbers, or names. It is worn as a means of protection or to bring good fortune.
However, not all taweez are the same. Some are outright shirk (polytheism), while others fall into minor shirk, depending on how one perceives them.
When Does Wearing a Taweez Become Shirk?
Islamic scholars classify taweez into two categories:
1. Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar)
If someone believes that the taweez itself possesses power independent of Allah—that it can protect, heal, or bring prosperity—then this is shirk akbar (major shirk). This belief takes a person outside the fold of Islam because they have attributed divine power to an object.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ عَلَّقَ تَمِيمَةً فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ
"Whoever wears a taweez has committed shirk." (Musnad Ahmad: 17422)
2. Minor Shirk (Shirk Asghar)
If someone believes that a taweez is merely a means (وَسِيلَةٌ) and that Allah is the true protector but still wears it for security, this is shirk asghar (minor shirk). Although not taking the person outside of Islam, it is still a major sin and must be abandoned.
However, Islam does not recognize taweez as a legitimate means. Unlike medicine, which has scientific and experiential proof, there is no evidence that taweez offer any real benefit.
The Prophet’s ﷺ Stance on Taweez
Throughout his life, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never instructed his companions to wear a taweez. Instead, he explicitly condemned them. In one hadith, he warned:
إِنَّهَا لَا تَزِيدُكَ إِلَّا وَهْنًا
"It will only increase you in weakness." (Musnad Ahmad: 20000)
This statement was directed at Imran ibn Husain رضي الله عنه, who was wearing a string on his arm for healing. The Prophet ﷺ immediately instructed him to remove it, emphasizing that such objects do more harm than good.
Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ said:
لَوْ مِتَّ وَهِيَ عَلَيْكَ مَا أَفْلَحْتَ أَبَدًا
"If you die while wearing it, you will never be successful." (Musnad Ahmad: 20000)
If wearing a taweez was beneficial or permissible, why would the Prophet ﷺ make such strong statements against it?
The Companions’ Understanding of Taweez
The Sahabah (companions of the Prophet ﷺ) took these warnings seriously. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه once entered his home and saw his wife wearing a taweez around her neck. He immediately tore it off, saying:
إنَّ آلَ عبدِ اللهِ عن ِالشِّركَ أغنياءُ
"The family of Abdullah has no need for shirk." (Mustadrak al-Hakim 7505)
His action reinforces that even a Quranic taweez was unacceptable.
Similarly, Hudhaifah ibn Yaman, Uqbah ibn Amir, and Imran ibn Husain رضي الله عنهم all held that wearing taweez was forbidden.
The Debate on Quranic Taweez
Some scholars in the past differed on whether a taweez containing only Quranic verses was allowed. However, even those who permitted it imposed strict conditions:
- The text must be clear and readable.
- It must contain only Quranic verses (not numbers or symbols).
- The wearer must not believe that it protects or heals.
- It must not be taken into impure places (e.g., toilets).
However, the stronger and safer opinion—held by Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Abbas, and others—is to completely avoid taweez.
Three reasons for this stance:
- The Prophet ﷺ prohibited all forms of taweez without exception.
- Most people do not know what is inside their taweez. Many are deceived into wearing objects filled with unknown writings, numbers, or even black magic.
- The Quran must be treated with honor. Taweez are often placed in unclean locations, which goes against the sanctity of the Quran.
For these reasons, avoiding taweez altogether is the best approach.
What Should You Do If You Have a Taweez?
If you or your family members wear taweez, the first step is to remove and destroy it. The Prophet ﷺ never told anyone to keep or respect a taweez—he always ordered its destruction.
Steps to Remove a Taweez Safely:
- Open it carefully.
- Check its contents. If you find strange symbols, numbers, or unreadable text, burn it completely.
- Recite Ayatul Kursi and the Mu'awwidhatayn (Surah Al-Falaq & Surah An-Naas) while destroying it.
- Make sincere tawbah (repentance) to Allah for placing trust in something other than Him.
- Replace taweez with authentic Sunnah practices.
How to Protect Yourself Islamically?
The correct method of protection is to follow the authentic guidance of the Prophet ﷺ:
1. Recite Ayatul Kursi When Going to Bed
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)
- This verse is the greatest in the Quran and provides more protection than any taweez.
2. Read the Morning & Evening Adhkar
It would be helpful to get Hisnul Muslim. This small book contains authentic remembrances for morning and evening besides daily supplications for protection.
3. Trust Allah Alone
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِحْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكِ...
"Be mindful of Allah, and He will protect you..." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 2516)
True Protection Comes from Allah
If taweez were beneficial, the Prophet ﷺ would have worn one or given them to his companions. Instead, he warned against them, emphasizing that they lead to weakness, dependence, and even shirk.
The best way to protect yourself is through Quranic recitation, supplication, and reliance upon Allah. No piece of paper, string, or metal has power—only Allah does.
It’s time to remove the chains of taweez and embrace true Tawheed.
May Allah protect us all. Ameen.
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