with the Quran and Ruqyah: Between Sunnah and Innovation. If, however, the amulet consists of something other than the Quran or ruqyah formulas—such as a ring, a cowrie shell, a thread, a blue bead, or a text written without diacritical dots or in a language other than Arabic—then this is polytheism and disbelief. We seek refuge in Allah from that. Women should be forbidden from doing this, for it occurs frequently among them because of the crookedness in their nature. There is no might or power except through Allah.

A report from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) suggesting disapproval has also been narrated, but it is not authentic. He is reported to have said: “The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) disliked ten practices: yellow coloring—that is, the scented dye known as khalūq; altering gray hair; dragging the lower garment; wearing a gold ring; displaying adornment where it did not belong; playing with dice; performing ruqyah except with the surahs of refuge; tying amulets; withdrawing semen ‘to somewhere other than its proper place’—or: ‘outside its proper place’; or: ‘away from its proper place’; and having intercourse with a nursing woman, thereby harming her infant, though he did not declare it unlawful.” (1)

A report suggesting permissibility has also been narrated, but it too is inauthentic. ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀs (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach them these words to recite when frightened: “I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath, from the evil of His servants, from the promptings of the devils, and lest they come near me.” ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAmr would teach these words to those of his children who were old enough to understand; for those who were not, he would write them down and hang the writing upon them. (2)

Seeking Healing with Zamzam Water:

It is permissible to seek healing with Zamzam water, and it may be transported elsewhere. It may be used medicinally by bathing or performing ablution with it, drinking it, adding it to cooked food, making tea or juice with it, dissolving sugar in it, steeping dates in it, or by any other method of seeking healing that suits the patient. All of this is permissible, Allah Most High willing, and there is no objection to it. Indeed, a precedent for its basic permissibility is established in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah Most High knows best.