Q. Could you please explain whether it is permissible to wear something bearing God’s name, or a verse from the Qur’an? Also, is it permissible to wear a charm, or talisman, or taweez, for protection from evil? If not what is the alternative?
Ali Mahmood
A. God’s names and Qur’anic verses are not meant to be worn for any purpose. God did not reveal His message, the Qur’an, so that people could seek blessing by demonstrating how much respect they have for it. Nor is it meant to give protection against physical harm. People put a copy of the Qur’an in their cars thinking that this could prevent an accident. The whole idea that the written word of God gives protection from harm is absurd. Some people know the Qur’an by heart and read it every day. Can you imagine that a person of this type is protected against all harm since he carries God’s book with him all the time? In fact, we see that such people are subject to all the hazards of life as everyone else. They fall ill, endure pain, suffer misfortune, and are subject to all that life can put in our way. Their knowledge of the Qur’an does not make them immune to any of that.
It is forbidden to wear a charm, talisman or anything of the sort for any purpose. Indeed to do so ensures that the person wearing such an article would not have his purpose fulfilled, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) has prayed to God not to grant anyone who wears them what that person hopes for. Needless to say, a prayer by the Prophet is always answered. To wear such things, thinking that they provide benefit or prevent harm, is a form of associating partners with God. Hence, the strict prohibition of wearing them.
The alternative is simple: To place our trust fully and completely in God, seeking only His help, and praying Him alone to grant our purpose. We ensure that our prayers will be answered by showing our complete conviction that it is God alone who gives us all benefits and prevents all harm.
Short Answers
Q.1. It is recommended that when we hear the call to prayer, i.e. adhan, we repeat its phrases, except for the phrases saying: Hayyi ala Al-Salah. Please explain why.
Q.2. When we do the tawaf around the Kaaba and take a drink from Zamzam, many people sit down to drink. Why?
Q.3. How important is it to leave one’s right shoulder exposed in tawaf? Is it also recommended in sa’ie?
Sufyan
A.1. What you say is true. When we hear the call to prayer we respond to the caller by repeating the phrases he says. These confirm that God is supreme, and our belief in His oneness and in Muhammad as His Messenger. However, when he says the phrases: Hayyi ala al-Salah and Hayyi ala al-Falah, which respectively mean: “Come to prayer, and come to success”, we are recommended to say “La hawla wala quwwata illa billah.” This phrase means: “All strength and power come from God.” Thus our answer means: “Yes, we would like to come, but we pray God to grant us the power to do so, as all power is given by Him.” It simply signifies our own inability unless God empowers us.
A.2. It is always recommended to be seated when drinking, because it is the better position from the health point of view. However, it may sometimes be difficult to do so, which means that it is all right to be standing while drinking. This also applies when drinking Zamzam water. There is no special rule for that.
A.3. It is recommended for men doing the tawaf of arrival in pilgrimage, or the tawaf of the Umrah to keep their right shoulders exposed, which means keeping the ihraam garment under their arms, during the first three rounds. This is not recommended at any other tawaf or sa’ie. The reason for this recommendation is to do like the Prophet and his companions did when they did their compensatory Umrah. The unbelievers who were still ruling in Makkah remarked that the Muslims were weakened by their recent illness. The Prophet wanted to show them that they were physically strong. Hence he asked his companions to bare their right shoulders and jog while doing these three rounds. We do likewise.
Posting Qur’anic Verses
Q.1. Is it appropriate to hang written verses from the Qur’an on walls with the intention of remembering and memorizing them?
Q.2. What is the way to make a will concerning one’s jewelry so that it could earn us a reward after death?
Shumaysa
A.1. Muslims have always put up some fine calligraphy with verses from the Qur’an, with the intention of reflecting on their meaning and remembering their message. This is perfectly appropriate. Each time we read them we earn a reward. This is different from posting them believing that they bring us benefit or protect us from harm. The fact that one intends to reflect on their meaning and implement their message makes such an action commendable.
A.2. Jewelry is like any sort of property with regard to will and inheritance. You cannot make a will concerning all your jewelry if this represents the majority of your property. The point here is that from the Islamic point of view, we do not own our property. It all belongs to God, and He places us in charge of it during our lifetime. When we die, we have no control over its usage. It goes back to God, so that it will be shared out by our heirs in accordance with the system of inheritance God has outlined. However, as the Prophet says, God has granted us an additional favor, allowing us to make a will in respect of a portion of our property not exceeding one third of its total. Thus we can make a will within this maximum limit, in favor of some poor people, or relatives who are not our heirs, or for some charitable purpose. We should try to make sure that the beneficiaries deserve such benefit.
