Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 6 - Part 1
It is reported on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood (ra) that he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say That ar-ruqi, at-tamaa`im and at- tiwalah* are all forms of Shirk. (Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
Important Note
Ar-ruqi is permissible if it meets three conditions:
i) That it contains the Words of Allah or mention of His Names and Attributes, or a supplication to Allah , or a request for His Aid.
ii) That it is in Arabic and its meaning is clearly understood.
iii) That it is not believed that the incantation can, of itself bring about any positive result, but that the benefit comes by the Command of Allah and His Divine Pre-ordination.
Ibn Mas`ood (ra) informs us that the Prophet said that ar-ruqi (which means spells and incantations), at-tamaa`im (which are made from beads and such like and are hung around the necks of children), and at-tiwalah (which is a spell made to cause a husband to love his wife, or a wife to love her husband) are all forms of Shirk.
Benefits Derived From This Hadith
1. That ar-ruqi are forbidden and are a form of Shirk, except what has been permitted by the Law.
2. That at-tamaa`im are forbidden and are a form of Shirk.
3. The forbiddance of at-tiwalah, which is also a form of Shirk.
Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of the Chapter and to the Subject of Tawheed
That it proves that ar-ruqi, at-tamaa`im and at-tiwalah are all forms of Shirk.
Important Note
Scholars have disagreed concerning at-tamemah, if it is from the Qur'an: Majority have forbidden it, inferring a general prohibition from this Hadith, while others have permitted it, comparing it to ar-ruqiyah, which may be from the Qur'an and is permissible; but the first saying is more correct, and Allah knows best.
From Wakee', on the authority of Ibraheem An-Nakha'i, is that he said: "They (the Companions) used to hate at-tamaa`im and they used to remove them (wherever they found them) - whether they were from the Qur'an or from other sources."
*Ar-Ruqi: (singular = ruqiyah) Incantations, magic spells.
At-Tamaa`im: (sing. = tameemah) Placing an amulet around the neck to protect the wearer from the effects of al-'ain.
At-Tiwalah: Bewitchment, in order to make a person fall in love with another.