All praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace and blessings of
Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah.
These are words about intercession, foreboding, asking
blessing and amulets.
First: words about intercession
The definition of intercession: intercession in Arabic (as-shafâ’ah) is
derived from the word shaf’ (which means even) that is contrary to
the word witr (which means odd), as the interceded person becomes
even by interceding.
Its definition in custom and Islamic law is:
1 - The asking of the interceding for the good for others than himself.
2 - The intercession of the intercessor for others by bringing benefit
or warding off harm or alleviating it.
3 - Asking for overlooking sins and crimes.
Categories of people about intercession: there are three
categories of people concerning intercession:
1 - One category has been and still is excessive in proving it: they
are the polytheist Christians, extreme Sufis and those who pray to
tombs of the dead saints. They make the intercession of those whom
they glorify before Allah on the Day of the Resurrection as their
intercession in this worldly life. They believe that these glorified
persons can intercede independently.
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2 - One category denies intercession: such as the Mu’tazila
and Kharijites (two sects that emerged after the death of
the Prophet). They have even denied the intercession of
the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and
others for the people who commit great sins. They have limited
the intercession for the repentant believers. In their false doctrine,
proving intercession for the definitely disobedient contradicts the
principle of threatening. They believe that it is necessary to carry out
threatening for those who deserve it. They believe that neither the
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nor others will
intercede for those.
3 - A median category: these are the Sunnis and the agreed community.
They have not either denied each intercession or proven each one.
They have proven from the intercessions what is evidenced in the
Quran and Sunnah and have denied what the evidence denied. For
them, the proven intercession is the one asked from Allah Exalted
and Glorified for monotheists after the permission of Allah to the
intercessor and His consent for the interceded. It is not, then, asked
from anyone other than Allah, and cannot be but with His permission
and consent.
This is the proven intercession for the Sunnis, with all its kinds which
include the intercession for the people of great sins.
On the other hand, the denied intercession for the Sunnis is the one
denied by the Islamic law; that is which is asked independently from
other than Allah and which does not contain the terms of intercession
The two kinds of intercession: according to the aforementioned, it is
clear that there are two kinds of intercession:
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1 - Proven: which has the terms of intercession
2 - Denied: which does not have such terms
The terms of intercession: the proven intercession has
two terms:
1 - The permission of Allah to the intercessor: Allah Almighty
has said {Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His
Permission?} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:255].
Transliteration: man tha allathee yashfaAAu AAindahu illa biithnihi
2 - His consent about the interceded: Allah Almighty has said {and
they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.}
[Surat Al-Anbiyâ’ 21:28].
Transliteration: wala yashfaAAoona illa limani irtada
Some add two additional terms:
3 - The ability of the intercessor to intercede: as Allah Almighty has
said about the one who is asked for intercession: {And those whom
they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession - except
for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly (i.e. believed in
the Oneness of Allâh, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the
facts about the Oneness of Allâh).} [Surat Az-Zukhruf 43:86].
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Transliteration: Wala yamliku allatheena yadAAoona min
doonihi alshshafaAAata illa man shahida bialhaqqi wahum
yaAAlamoona
Thus, asking it from the dead is a demand from this who does not
have it.
4 - The embrace of the interceded to Islam: Allah Almighty has
said {There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Zâlimûn
(polytheists and wrong-doers), who could be given heed to} [Surat
Ghâfir 40:18].
Transliteration:malilththalimeena min hameemin walashafeeAAin
yutaAAu
The wrongdoers here are the unbelievers, except for Abu Tâlib (the
uncle of the Prophet who has brought him up).
In fact, these two terms are included in the first two ones, as no one
can intercede but for the one who got the permission from Allah and
that intercession is only for Muslims.
The kinds of the proven intercessions:
Allah Almighty has said {Say: To Allâh belongs all intercession}
[Surat Az-Zumar 39:44].
Transliteration:Qul lillahi alshshafaAAatu jameeAAan
This verse shows that there are several kinds of
intercessions, they are:
1 - The greatest intercession, which the Messengers of strong will,
will recede from it till it reaches the Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him, who will say, “I am for it”. All the creatures will
haste to the prophets to intercede for them before their Lord to ease
their standing in their position and to judge among them.
This intercession is specializes only for the Prophet, peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him.
2 - The intercession of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him, for the people of Paradise to enter it; which is also specialized
only for the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him
3 - The intercession of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him, for his uncle Abu Talib in order to alleviate the torture of
the fire for him. This is specialized only for the Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him
4 - The intercession for some disobedient people from the nation of
the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who deserve
Hellfire, so the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
will intercede for them in order not to enter it. This is specialized for
the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and for the
angels and the believers.
5 - The intercession for the disobedient believers who enter hell due to
their sins to come out of it; this is for the Prophet, peace and blessings
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of Allah be upon him, and for others.
6 - The intercession for people of paradise to increase their
rewards and raise their degrees; this is for the Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him, and others.
7 - The intercession of dead children to their believing parents.
8 - The intercession of martyrs to their believing families.
9 - The intercession of believers to each other.
Second: words about foreboding
Foreboding is pessimism from a visible, audible or known matter
in Arabic it is called at-tayrah from either at-tayr (birds) as Arabs used
to send birds and were optimistic or pessimistic from their sounds or
paths, or from at-tayarân (flying), as when man hear or see what he
hates – so as if it was because that
Loathing: is driving away, frightening and sending birds flying and
to be optimistic or pessimistic by their names, sounds and paths, so
taking omens whether optimistic or pessimistic is a result of that.
Optimistic omens strengthen the intentions, urge aspiration and
open the door of goodness.
Pessimistic omens suppress intentions, turn away from direction and
open the door of evil. That is the difference between them.
Islam refutes and forbids foreboding. It shows that it is fabrication of
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the enemies of the Prophets.
Islam comes with the protection and remedy of foreboding
by good opinion about and faithful trust in Allah and
abandoning taking foreboding into attention.
The forbidden foreboding is that which makes one go on or stop
doing something.
Foreboding is a kind of polytheism to divinity as it includes the
believing of bringing benefit and warding off of harm. It also includes
polytheism to deity as it includes hanging to other than Allah in things
that no one but Allah can do.
Foreboding was known to Arabs with differences in its rites and
degrees as it was just thoughts, intuitions and guessing with no base
to stand upon.
Arabs used to foreboding by many things that include sneezing, crows,
criers, stars, shrikes, bulls of broken holes, some names, people with
disabilities, some days and months, numbers, conditions, meanings
and places.
Some Arabs mentally denied foreboding, visually disclaimed its
effect, and disgraced those who were deceived by it, trusted in and
thought about the effect of it. There are some mentioned events that
show the occurrence of foreboding.
This can be perceived as it is not denied that destiny is conformable
with these reasons, as affliction can be related to logic and foreboding
affects this who is foreboding. Allah Exalted and Glorified has set up
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the reasons which push it away such as trusting Him and
having thinking well of Him and the turning away of the
heart from other than Him.
In addition, foreboding mostly does not happen, but people
report about and are interested in what actually happened, so such
events seem plenty, though the false incidents are much more than
being reported.
Foreboding harms this that fears it and cares about it. This who does
not care about it is not harmed, especially if he says upon seeing or
listening to an evil omen “O my Lord, there is no foreboding but
your foreboding and no goodness but your goodness. There is no
god but You. O my Lord no one comes with good deeds but you,
and no one removes away sins but You. There is no power except
with You”.
A pessimistic is a restless, self-closed, languid, antipathetic, lazy and
indolent person. He is cowardly, fainthearted, and very afraid from
trivial accidents. He is very angry from any action that he does not
like. A pessimist lives in a world of dreams, fantasies, and fiction. He
always feels disappointed, lost, and abandoned.
An optimistic is farsighted, goodhearted, high vigor, and very active.
He is also more able to be serious, highly productive, and can face
difficulties than a pessimistic person who is low-spirited. An optimistic
is not only happy with himself but those who are around him are
happy with him. An optimistic is worthy of holding responsibility,
confronting difficulties and accomplishing great actions.
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Third: words about asking blessing
Asking blessing is asking for an increase in goodness, reward
and all what a person needs in both this life and afterlife due to
such blessing in itself or in its time. This blessing and its method
must be proven according to the Islamic law through the Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
General norms about blessing:
1 - All blessing, as well as livelihood, victory, and wellness, is from
Allah. It is then to be asked only from Allah. Asking it from other
than Him is polytheism.
2 - Whatever mentioned in Islam as a blessing in persons, sayings or
deeds is only means, not a source, for blessing.
3 – The evidence of the existence or the non-existence of the blessing
because of something or in something is only evidenced by the Islamic
law.
Examples of the religiously accepted asking of blessing:
1 - Asking blessing by the self and traces of the Prophet peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him.
2 - Asking blessing by permissible deeds, words and conditions: if a
Muslim does these things asking blessing by following the Sunnah,
he is to achieve blessing according to his intention and effort. Such
actions include the remembrance of Allah, reciting the Quran,
gathering for remembrance, coming forward for jihad in places of
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injustice for the sake of Allah, gathering for food, eating
from the sides of a dish and licking the fingers after eating.
3 – Permissible asking blessing by places: such as asking
blessing by mosques in general and the Sacred Mosque, the
Prophet’s Mosque, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Mosque of Qubea’ in
particular. These mosques have more advantages than others. Asking
blessing by mosques, as others, must be with sincerity and following
of the Sunnah. Achieving blessings in mosques can be through
seclusion, praying, remembrance and others. Mecca, Medina and
Levant (Syria) are amongst the blessed areas.
4 - Asking blessing by times: such as Ramadan, the Night of Qadr
(decree), the last third of night, Friday, Monday, Thursday and the
first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
5 - Asking blessing by foods and the like: such as asking blessing by
olive oil, milk, date, black cumin, truffle, a pre-dawn meal, honey,
Zamzam water. These include also breeding horses and sheep, as
breeding them contains blessing.
The entire aforementioned have their religious evidences. The
context, however, is not suitable to present them.
6 - All in all, the greatest reason for blessing is believing and piety:
{And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ
(piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from
the heaven and the earth,} [Surat Al-A’râf 7:96].
Transliteration: Walaw anna ahla alqura amanoo waittaqaw lafatahna
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AAalayhim barakatin mina alssamai waalardi
The forbidden asking blessing
This is which is not mentioned or that it is forbidden in a
religious context such as circumambulating tombs, invoking the
dead and the absent, asking blessing from trees, stones, and others. In
addition, asking blessing from scholars and the pious is not allowed.
Blessing, however, is achieved by taking knowledge from them and
benefitting from their manner.
Fourth: words about amulets
Definition: an amulet is what is hanged on necks, riding animals or
vehicles, houses or others to bring benefit or ward off or remove
harm; whether they are made from the words of the Quran, thread,
beads, pebbles or others.
Its other names: there are other names that equal amulets, such as:
1 - Charm
2 - Talisman
3 - Hanging
4 – Shells
Prohibition: amulets are prohibited in both the Quran and Sunnah.
Allah Almighty has said: {And if Allâh touches you with harm, none
can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is
Able to do all things.} [Surat Al-An’âm 6:17].
Transliteration:Wain yamsaska Allahu bidurrin falakashifa
lahu illa huwa wain yamsaska bikhayrin fahuwa AAala kulli
shayin qadeerun
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has
said: “This who wears an amulet ‘Ashrak (has associated something
with Allah) ” [Authenticated by Al-Albani].
Reasons of prohibition:
1 - It includes the clinging of the heart to other than Allah
2 - It is not a means that is religious or destined, and because one
believes that it is a means of fate together with Allah and that it
challenges Him in His creation and order.
3 - It is a doorway to superstition and leads to polytheism
4 – It is a reason for languidness, because he who is attached to
something is left for it.
Are amulets from the minor or the greatest polytheism?
The answer is as following:
1 - If the amulet is an idol, a polytheistic charm or a cross, this then,
no doubt, is the greatest polytheism.
2 - If it is from the thread, the beads and the like, and the slave of Allah
depends totally on it and believed in his heart that it has its dependent
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effect, this is then also greatest polytheism.
3 - If it is a thread, beads and the like and one thinks that
this is just means – without depending totally on it- this is
then a minor polytheism.
The ruling of the hanged Quranic or Prophetic
prayer amulet:
The right ruling is that it is not permissible for the following
reasons:
1 - To prevent reasons that lead to polytheism.
2 - Due to the general prohibition of amulets.
3 - It may lead to humiliate the Quran and the Prophetic invocations
by entering toilets and exposing them to filths (it is prohibited in
Islam to take the Quran to the toilets).
4 - It is means for quacks to write a verse, a Surat or “In the Name
of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful” and to put under it satanic
charms or polytheistic calls for help.
5 - It may be means to leave the Quran and prayers and to be satisfied
with what is hanged.
Examples of the existing amulets
1 - What are hanged on children for fear of the envy.
2 - What some women hang or put into their rooms or under pillows
to prevent from envy or to keep her safe from harm or to bring about
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her husband’s love, and the like.
3 - What is known as the engagement ring, as in addition
to that it is originally taken from Christians, and it is means
that could lead to polytheism, as it may be believed that it is
the thing that brings the hearts of the spouses together.
4 - Pictures, beads and others that are hanged in cars for fear of envy.
5 - What footballers know as “al-Danboushy” as they put a particular
roll on their forearm or into the goal net. It may contain Quranic
verses that are put under the shoes of the players, thinking that it
causes victory! All these are polytheistic forbidden matters.
The last of our invocations is that all praise and thanks be to Allah
the Lord of ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists), and peace and
blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his
family and companions.
With little modification
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