Chanting

Islam is the religion formulated by The Almighty Allah. He is the creator of all objects .Human beings are asked to devote their worship to the Almighty. There are some distinctions which make man different from other creatures. His nature is entirely different from that of others.

          The Almighty Allah, the Omniscient has the authority to implement whatever He wants to do. He will examine, his devotees sending adversities. No man is free from worries, diseases, frets and fevers of life. As a man he is destined to suffer. The Omnipotent has put forward many kinds of treatments. The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "There is no illness except it having its remedy. Whatever the case it is The Almighty who cures the diseases. The range of disease is expanding day after day. Most of them are under control. But some are waiting for their remedies and yet to be traced.

           But there is remedy for all kinds of ailments. The tradition of The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] says to this effect. But the so called intellectuals have not discovered all remedies. The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] had applied remedies for the diseases and prescribed to those who approached him asking remedies for their all kinds of diseases. The Prophet’s [صلى الله عليه وسلم] ways of healing were five in number (a)precaution  (b) to use medicines  (c) Recitation of the verses of The Holy Qur-an and adhkar (d) to observe certain special rites (e) To keep aloof from some acts.

          The holy Qur’an appeals to all walks of the human life. It is an all encompassing divine text. The Qur-an is the treasure of knowledge. All subjects were stated either clearly or by hints. The mere recitation of the holy verses will bring bliss and satisfaction to the patients who have been under severe mental agony. Like that physical problems can also be cured by this holistic medicine. So from this point of view we have to deal with the subject. The Holy Scripture says: “And we sent down of the Qur-an that which is healing and mercy to those who believe and it increases the wrong doers nothing but loss” [Isra ‘a – 82] the noted scholar describes the verse as follows. ‘Shifa’ from external diseases by enchanting and by using amulets? [AL –Jamih – Li Ahkamil Qur-an 5/84]. In this modern world of chaos and confusion, man is running to and fro seeking peace of mind. Here comes The Holy Qur- an for their help.

          A host of scholars have approved the chanting using Qur- anic verses. It is described through a series of religious texts with special reference to the holy Qur-an and tradition of The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] The reputed scholar Navavi (R) says ‘the chanting using holy verses and known [its meaning] Adkar is not prohibited and more over it is sunnah’  [sharh – muslim.  7/169] He quotes the words of honourable scholars to support that deed. Masoori (R) states all chants using Qur-anic verses and Adkars are permissible, but the chants using unknown [its meaning] words and non Arabic words are strictly forbidden – Because it may lead to polytheism. So The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] banned such kinds of chants. Those who negate chants and heap accuses on those who perform that, are totally against Islamic principles. We must run away from forbidden matters but at the same time we must not reject principles taught and done by The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] and his star –like followers.

          No need further saying. The history is clear before us. The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] himself has performed the incantations more than one occasion. The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] also has given approval to the chanting done by the supreme Angel Gibreel (عليه السلام). These incidents are regarded as the testimonials to the validity of chanting.

          Once the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] made a visit to the house of Ummu Salama (رضي الله عنها). At that time The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw a pale – faced girl there. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) advised those who stood there to perform chanting for her because she has been hit by ‘evil eye’ [Bukahari 5739^th Hadeeth]. Abdul Azeez ibn Zubair narrates, he and Sabithul khunani (رضي الله عنه) once visited Anas (رضي الله عنه) [Abuhamza] During their talk, Sabit (رضي الله عنه) said he felt sick – then Anas (رضي الله عنه)  asked may I chant you with a chanting  with which The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to chant? [Bkukhari 5742] . This proves that the chanting was the habit of The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). More over this was reported by peerless scholar Imam Al Bkukhari (رضي الله عنه). From this tradition we can reach following conclusions.

          (a)  The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had the habit of chanting

            (b)  The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his followers found no fault in doing so 

          (c)  The followers also used to do the same.

          (d)  It is acceptable to all except those who are prejudiced

Now we have to discuss the chanting which was forbidden by The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Ibn Hajr (رضي الله عنه) says: The chanting which was forbidden by The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is one which includes words of polytheism or unknown words. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates “The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to spit out after reciting the holy Qur-an on those who suffer from diseases from his family members, and when The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was in death bed I used to spit out. “

This was reported by both the great scholars of hadeeth, Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) and Imam Muslim ((رحمه الله). [Bukhari 13/126, Muslim 14/172.

There are more evidences which describe enchanting performed by The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) [Saheeh Bukhari Hadeeth No. 5742, 5743, 5744, 5745, 5746] The Hadeeths nos. 5749 and 5736 testify to the effect that The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) approved the enchanting of his followers. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also wanted a share of the reward they got. Moreover there are evidences for confirming the reward before the deed.

There is no objection in using amulets. But with a condition that it must be using Quranic verses or Adhkar. The amulets can be tied to our body either by thread or by writing on a metal leaf. This was also proved legal by the deeds of our reputed predecessors. Ubaidullah(r) son of Abdullahi bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) had the habit of using that kind of thread, tied to his shoulder. So these are the facts. We must follow the deeds of our ancestors, since they will not say anything against the Islamic principle. May The Almighty shower his blessings upon our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and upon those who follow his traditions?