AMĪRU ʾL-MUʾMINĪN (امير المومنين). “The Commander of the Believers.” A title which was first given to ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Jaḥsh after his expedition to Nak͟hlah, and which was afterwards assumed by the K͟halīfahs (first by ʿUmar) and the Sult̤āns of Turkey. [[KHALIFAH].]
ʿAMR IBN AL-ʿĀṢĪ (عمرو بن العاصى). One of the Companions, celebrated for his conquest of Syria, Palestine and Egypt, in the reigns of Abū Bakr and ʿUmar. He died (according to an-Nawawī) A.H. 43.
AMULETS. Arabic Ḥamāʾil (حمائل), “anything suspended”; Taʿwīẕ, “a refuge”; Ḥijāb, “a cover.”
Amulets, although of heathen origin, are very common in Muḥammadan countries. The following are used as amulets: (1) a small Qurʾān, encased in silk or leather, and suspended from the shoulder; (2) a chapter or verse of the Qurʾān, written on paper and folded in leather or velvet; (3) some of the names of God, or the numerical power (see [ABJAD]) of these names; (4) the names of prophets, celebrated saints, or the numerical power of the same; (5) the Muḥammadan creed, engraven on stone or silver. The chapters of the Qurʾān generally selected for Amulets are: [Sūrahs i]., [vi]., [xviii]., [xxxvi]., [xliv]., [lv]., [lxvii]., [lxxviii]. Five verses known as the Āyātu ʾl-Ḥifz̤, or “verses of protection,” are also frequently inscribed on Amulets. They are [Sūrahs ii. 256]; [xii. 64]; [xiii. 12]; [xv. 17]; [xxxvii. 7]. [[AYATU ʾL-HIFZ].]
These charms are fastened on the arm or leg, or suspended round the neck, as a protection against evil. They are also put on houses and animals, and, in fact, upon anything from which evil is to be averted. Strictly, according to the principles of Islām, only the names of God, or verses from the Qurʾān, should be used for amulets. Information regarding the formation of magic squares and amulets will be found in the article on Exorcism. [[EXORCISM], [DAʿWAH].]
AN AMULET OF THE ATTRIBUTE OF GOD—Ḥāfiz̤, “THE PROTECTOR.”
| ظ | ف | ا | ح |
| ح | ظ | ف | ا |
| ا | ح | ظ | ف |
| ف | ا | ح | ظ |
A SMALL QURAN SUSPENDED AS AN AMULET.
AL-ANʿĀM (الانعام). “The Cattle.” The title of the VIth Sūrah, in verse [137] of which some superstitious customs of the Meccans, as to certain cattle, are incidentally mentioned.