Chapter: Wearing a ring, a thread, or anything similar to remove an affliction or ward it off is an act of shirk (polytheism).

The Almighty says: “Say, ‘Have you considered those you call upon instead of Allah? If Allah intends harm for me, can they remove His harm? Or if He intends mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy? Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me; in Him those who rely must place their trust.’” (al-Zumar 39:38).

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd: it highlights a practice that contradicts monotheism—seeking the lifting or prevention of harm from anyone other than Allah—so that people may be warned against it, for tawḥīd is understood by contrasting it with its opposite.

“Of shirk”: the preposition min is partitive, meaning that the act falls under major shirk if one believes these objects benefit or harm by themselves, and under minor shirk if one merely believes they are a means to benefit or harm.

“Ring (ḥalqa)”: anything circular.

“Or the like”: anything worn or hung for this purpose.

“To remove an affliction”: to eliminate it after it has descended.

“And to ward it off”: to prevent it before it descends.

“Have you considered (a-fa-raʾaytum)”: tell me, inform me.

“That which you invoke”: that which you ask to bring good or repel harm.

“Instead of Allah”: anyone apart from Him—rivals and false gods.