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Question
What is the ruling of wearing a necklace that is made of string and has a wooden block upon which the basmala (اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﷲ ﺑﺴﻢ) is written? Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
If the string necklace in reference is worn as a means of blessings, protection, or cure, then it would be permissible to wear, on the condition that one believes that Allah ﺗﻌﺎﻟﻰ is the only one who cures and protects, and the necklace or any other type of taweez (amulet) which has the basmala written on it cannot do anything on its own. (Raddul Muhtar: v. 9, p. 523 [Dar Al-’Aalam Al-Kutub]) Consider the following etiquettes when wearing the string necklace: 1. The necklace should be covered in a separate cloth before entering the restroom because the basmala is an ayat of the Quran, therefore we must treat it with the utmost respect, however it would be better not to enter with it at all; the same ruling will apply when having marital relations. (Raddul Muhtar: v. 1, p. 321 [Dar Al-’Aalam Al-Kutub]; Fatawa Hindiya: v. 5, p. 435 [DKI]) 2. On account of the basmala being part of the Quran, one should refrain from touching the writing of the basmala when not in the state of wudu. 3. If one decides to wear such a string necklace, the method of wearing should not resemble a woman’s, and it should not be worn with the intention of beautification. This can be achieved by tucking it in one’s shirt and not displaying it for others to see. It is mentioned in a hadith that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) cursed those men who imitated women and those women who imitated men. (Bukhari: Hadith 5885)
Nonetheless, taking into consideration the difficulty of observing all of these etiquettes, it would be better to avoid wearing such string necklaces. Alternatively, one should learn and recite the duas mentioned in the Quran and Hadith for protection.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham