Myths and Superstitions in Islam

The evil eye (ayn) is real and mentioned in the Quran and authenticated hadith. "The evil eye is real." (Sahih Muslim 2187). Ruqyah (Quranic recitation for healing) and reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Nas are the Islamic remedy - not amulets, bracelets, or blue beads.

Wearing amulets (tamayim) for protection is explicitly forbidden. "Whoever wears an amulet, he has committed shirk." (Musnad Ahmad 17458). The protection from evil eye is Ruqyah, the 3 Quls, and Ayat al-Kursi - not objects.

This is a pagan superstition with no basis in Islam. Relying on objects or actions to prevent harm while attributing supernatural power to them is a form of shirk. Only Allah controls harm and benefit.

The Prophet (saw) said: "There is no contagion [without Allah's permission], no bad omen, no Hama [bird of death], and no bad omen in the month of Safar." (Sahih Bukhari 5707). Believing birds bring bad luck is explicitly rejected.

A Roman superstition with zero Islamic basis. No action, number, or object can determine a person's fortune except Allah's decree (qadr). Believing otherwise contradicts tawakkul (reliance on Allah).

The Prophet (saw) said: "Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the mosques of Allah." (Sahih Muslim 442). Preventing women from mosques is un-Islamic. This is a cultural practice in some regions, not an Islamic ruling.

The ruling on music is one of the most debated in Islamic law. Scholars range from permitting instrumental music entirely to forbidding it. Most agree that music with obscene content, that leads to haram, or accompanies alcohol/drugs is forbidden. Nasheed, drums (duff), and music in contexts of joy (weddings, Eid) are accepted by many scholars. It is not a settled matter.

The hadith on image-making refers primarily to sculpted three-dimensional images meant for veneration. Most contemporary scholars permit photography and video because they are not "creating" a form - they are capturing light. Some scholars still restrict images of animate beings. Digital images on screens are widely permitted.

The Sunnah is the opposite - enter the bathroom with the LEFT foot first (and leave with the right). Entering with the right foot into the bathroom is actually against the Sunnah. Some people have this backwards.

Riba (usurious interest on loans) is haram. A savings account with minor bank interest is a matter of scholarly debate - many scholars, especially in non-Muslim majority countries, permit basic accounts out of necessity (darura). Taking mortgages, credit card interest, and business loans at interest remains haram for most scholars.

First cousin marriage is permitted under Islamic law, it is not forbidden. However, it is a cultural tradition widespread in parts of South Asia and the Arab world, not an Islamic obligation or recommendation. The Prophet (saw) did not encourage cousin marriage as a default, and modern medical evidence links consanguineous marriages to significantly elevated rates of genetic disorders in children, autosomal recessive conditions, congenital abnormalities, and lower birth weight. Scholars have noted that what is legally permissible (mubah) can be discouraged (makruh) or avoided when it causes harm (darar). Prioritising the health of future children is consistent with the Islamic principle of la darar wa la dirar (no harm shall be inflicted). Many Muslim families practice this without religious instruction and conflate culture with deen.

Inshallah (if Allah wills) is an Islamic obligation when speaking about future actions. "Never say about anything: I will do that tomorrow, without adding 'if Allah wills.'" (Quran 18:23-24). Its cultural misuse as a polite no is a bad habit, not the Islamic meaning.

The Quran states: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:256). The majority of Muslim-majority countries - Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, West Africa - became Muslim through trade and da'wah, not conquest. Historical forced conversions occurred but were condemned by Islamic law.

Muslims do not worship the Prophet (saw). The first pillar of faith is: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger." When Abu Bakr announced the Prophet's death: "Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has died. Whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and never dies." (Sahih Bukhari 3667)

Muslims believe the Quran is the literal word of Allah revealed over 23 years through the angel Jibreel (as). The Prophet (saw) was illiterate (ummi). Multiple scribes recorded it during his lifetime. 23 years of revelation, with each verse placed in its ordered position by divine instruction.

Arabs make up roughly 15-20% of Muslims globally. The largest Muslim-majority country is Indonesia. Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Turkey, and Iran together have more Muslims than all Arab countries combined. Islam is the most ethnically diverse religion on earth.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said: "I know you are a stone; you can neither harm nor benefit. Had I not seen the Prophet (saw) kiss you, I would not kiss you." (Sahih Bukhari 1597). The stone is touched as Sunnah, not worship. Muslims face the Kaaba not as an idol but as a direction set by Allah.

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims believe in the same Allah, the same Quran, the same five pillars, and the same Prophet (saw). The disagreements are primarily about leadership and authority after the Prophet's death, and some differences in fiqh and theology. Both testify: La ilaha illAllah, Muhammadur Rasulullah.