Ta'wiz
The ta'wiz, tawiz (Urdu: تعویز, Bengali: টাবিজ্), muska (Turkish) or hijab (Arabic: حجاب) is a locket usually containing verses from the Quran or other Islamic prayers and symbols. As a general rule it is worn with the belief that it will repel any evil intended for the wearer and will also bring him luck. As such it is intended to be an amulet. The word ta'wiz is also used to refer to other amulets used in Islam. It may be a pendant, carvings on metal or even framed duas.[1]
Most ta'wiz are made up of a small paper with the Quranic verses or prayers written on it, typically in ink or with saffron paste. This paper is repeatedly folded and sewn inside a tiny cloth pouch, black in colour. A black thread is used to wear it as a locket. Other ta'wiz consist of metallic sheets or pieces with prayers or Quranic verses on them. Wearing a ta'wiz is popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
A ta'wiz is shown in the movie Khuda Ke Liye where the American investigators misinterpret it as a secret code.
Permissibility of wearing amulets (ta'wiz) in Islam
The use of Ta'wiz in Islam remains a debated and controversial topic. The division of opinion regarding this matter ranges from it being an acceptable practice (provided certain conditions are met, as outlined below) to being outright shirk and thus making the practitioner of this a non-muslim.
Proponents of the use of Ta'wiz argue that in Islam, hanging or wearing of amulets (ta'wiz) is normally permissible for protection or healing provided certain conditions are met:
- That they consist of the Names of Allah and His Attributes;
- That they are in Arabic;
- That they do not consist of anything that is disbelief (Kufr);
- The user does not believe the words have any effect in themselves, but are empowered to do so by Allah.
Others, such as Salafi Muslims, object to the use of ta'wiz arguing that wearing a ta'wiz is shirk. This is based in part on the interpretation of the hadith:
It was narrated from 'Uqbah ibn 'Aamir al-Juhani that a group came to Muhammed [to swear their allegiance (bay'ah) to him]. He accepted the bay'ah of nine of them but not of one of them. They said, "O Messenger of Allah, you accepted the bay'ah of nine but not of this one." He said, "He is wearing an amulet." The man put his hand (in his shirt) and took it off, then he (Muhammed) accepted his bay'ah. He said, "Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk."