Here in Pakistan, we use to hang some Qur'anic Ayah for protection or maybe for benefits. Is this permitted?Is it correct that a Sahabi (I don't know his name) used to have Ayah in his neck for protection or on his children?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Hanging amulets containing Quranic verses or Names and Attributes of Allaah is a controversial matter among the Muslim scholars. Some including `Abdullaah Ibn `Amar believe that it is lawful.

This also conforms to what was reported from Aa'ishah . It is also the opinion of Ja'faar Al-Baqir, Imaam Ahmad (in a narration) and it is the most preponderant opinion in the Maaliki school of jurisprudence. All the above scholars state that prohibited amulets only refers to those which include Shirk (i.e. directing the worship to other than Allaah). Other scholars believe that it is not lawful to hang amulets. This is the opinion of `Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood, Ibn `Abbaass and other companions . It is also reported from many scholars who took the following Hadeeth as their evidence, "Charms, incantations, amulets and talismans are polytheism." [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]

It is, however, reported that `Abdullaah Ibn `Amar used to write some Quranic verses on tablets and hang them around the necks of his young children.

Ibn Baaz said: 'This narration about Ibn `Amar is weak, and therefore, it does not stand as a proof. Even if this narration is authentic, it does not include an indication to prove the matter at hand because the apparent purpose of hanging Quranic verses around their necks was to facilitate memorizing them. Thus, these tablets were not hung as amulets, as usually amulets are written on paper not in tablets'.

The second opinion (which prohibits hanging amulets in general) is the most preponderant one for the following reasons.

1.     The general wording of the Hadeeth which indicates a general prohibition.

2.     Closing the door to Shirk, because had the permission been given to hang Quranic verses, this would most probably, lead to using other amulets that are confirmed to be prohibited.

3.     Hanging Quranic verses around the neck entails going to the bath room while wearing them, which is great disrespect to the Words of Allaah.

Allaah Knows best.