The ta'wiz, tawiz (Urdu: تعویز, Hindi: तावीज़),[1] muska (Turkish) or taʿwīdh (Arabic: تعويذ) is an amulet or locket worn for protection common in South Asia.[2]

A ta'wiz. The black pouch contains a paper with duas (prayers) written on them.

Tawiz is sometimes worn by Muslims with the belief of getting protection or blessings by virtue of what is in it.

It is intended to be an amulet. The word ta'wiz is used to refer to other types of amulets. It may be a pendant, carvings on metal, or even framed duas.[3]

Tawiz worn by Hindus often bears the sacred Om symbol.[4]

Etymology

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The word ta'wiz, used in Urdu and Hindi comes from the Arabic.[4][5] The Arabic word taʿwīdh, meaning "amulet" or "charm" is formed from the verb ʿawwadha, which means "to fortify someone with an amulet or incantation".[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Also t'aweez, tabiz and other variant transliterations
  2. ^ Chalmers, Beverley; Meyer, Denny (1993). "Adherence to traditional Indian customs surrounding birth". South African Medical Journal. 83 (3): 206. PMID 8511690.
  3. ^ Olwig, Karen Fog; Rytter, Mikkel (2011-06-10). Mobile Bodies, Mobile Souls: Family, Religion and Migration in a Global World. ISD LLC. ISBN 978-87-7124-435-9.
  4. ^ a b Alī, Saiyada Asad (2000). Influence of Islam on Hindi Literature. Idarah-i-Adabiyat-Delli.
  5. ^ Moberley, A. N. (1907). "Amulets as agents in the prevention of disease in Bengal". In Asiatic Society of Bengal (ed.). Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Volume 1. Calcutta: The Asiatic Society. pp. 223–248. page 224.
  6. ^ "Ta'wiz or Talisman's origin, preparation, and permissibility". furzan.com. Retrieved 2022-12-06.