Q1. The article “Islam strictly prohibits the use of amulets” (Sep. 30) was excellent and I'd like to thank you for explaining clearly that this practice/ belief is totally un-Islamic. Can you kindly confirm if the same rules apply for wearing a gold pendant which has surah Yasin, or other verses, from the Holy Qur'an engraved upon them and if wearing a gold or silver engraved inscription of Allah is prohibited? A1. There are two different views among Ulema (scholars) regarding this issue. The most sound opinion is that it's not permissible to wear amulets containing verses from the Qur'an. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta stated that, “According to the most correct scholarly view, wearing an object that contains Qur'anic Ayahs is prohibited for three reasons. First, the prohibition in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on wearing any amulets, and there is no evidence specifying otherwise. Second, the necessity of acting upon the principle of Sadd-ul-Dhara'i‘ [blocking the means leading to sins], as it may lead to wearing other objects. Third, what is worn is subject to being desecrated, as it is worn in the toilet, or while performing Istinja' [cleansing the private parts with water after urination or defecation], or while having sexual intercourse and so on. Q2. Is it biddah to use prayer bead? A2. Using masbaha (beads) to count when one makes tasbeeh (remembering Allah) is not bid'ah according to the soundest view of ulema. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen said “It is better not to use masbaha to do tasbeeh, but it is not bid'ah, because some of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used pebbles to do tasbeeh. But the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught us that tasbeeh with the fingers is better, as he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Count with the fingertips, for they will be made to speak.” Q 3.Some Asian Muslims after performing Haj wash their Ihrams with Zamzam water and take it back to their home country. The motive behind this is to use this cloth after his death as a blessed outer garment of his dead body.Is this permitted? A3. This practice is bid'ah, has no basis and shouldn't be done. It was not done by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or any of his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Q4.Should the intention of Ihram be uttered by tongue? What is the process of this intention if the pilgrim performs Haj on behalf of someone else? A4. No, the intention shouldn't be uttered by tongue. The place for intention is the heart, and to say it by tongue is bid'ah. It should be known that saying the Talbyah is not the niyah (intention). The person who wants to perform Haj or Umrah on behalf of someone should have the intention to do so in his/her heart and then he should mention the name of that person in the Talbiyah by saying “Labbayk Allahumma labbaykaan (in behalf of) so and so (the name of the person) , (Here I am on behalf of [so and so]). __
