Hijab 'Azim al-Sha'n: Al-Buni's Talisman Book of Protection

An al-Buni Talisman Book of Divine Names, Verses and Seals

This Ahmad al-Buni manuscript is built to be carried. Its opening promises “preservation and security from every rebellious demon and devil,” and says that God grants His servant victory “over the jinn, humankind, and everything that transgresses.” The bearer is to keep it in complete purity, and the text cites the saying “Whoever performs ablution is in safety.”

Its eight chapters run from Invocation Through the Divine Names and The Working of al-Fard to Protective Encirclement Through the Messenger of God, The Seven Verses of the Protective Veils, Secret of the Protective Names and the Six-by-Six Square, and The Supplication of Adam. For the other Ahmad al-Buni manuscripts in English, see the full collection.

Arabic Talismans, Seals and Magic Squares

The talismanic seals and magic squares are reproduced as images from the source manuscript. Besides the six-by-six square, they include a four-by-four magic square of the Name of God, a five-column by six-row square, the Khima and Ludah squares, squares of Affection (mawaddah), of al-Batin and of al-Da'im, a Prophet square, a magic square for love of hearts, and a square for restraining the tongue of the person sought.

As Islamic talismans, they combine Qur'anic verses, the Most Beautiful Names, blessings on the Prophet Muhammad and barbarous names ('ajami) given exactly as written. For how another magic square talisman manuscript, the Shams al-Anwar, assigns a square to each weekday and its planet, and for making an Arabic talisman step by step, see our essays.

Ayat al-Kursi, Ya Sin and the Surahs Invoked

The veil works through the Qur'an. The sixth chapter gives Ayat al-Kursi in full beside a shield talisman, and the second recites the opening verses of Surah Ya Sin, including “We placed before them a barrier and behind them a barrier.” A supplication in the sixth chapter swears by Surah al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran, and by Surah al-Kahf, al-Anbiya and al-Furqan. Readers looking for Surah al-Baqarah or Surah Kahf for protection will find them here as names of power within a prayer, not as complete recitations.

Readers who know the Manzil dua, a separate compilation of protective Qur'anic verses, will recognize the purpose but not the method. The Manzil is recited; this veil is written, hung or carried, with its verses bound to divine names, seals and squares.

A Dua for Protection Against Everything

Many of its formulas amount to a dua for protection against everything: “In the name of God, with whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can harm; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing,” and “God is sufficient for me; there is no god but He. In Him I have put my trust, and He is the Lord of the mighty Throne.” The sixth chapter asks that the bearer be preserved “from afflictions, infirmities, misfortunes, and calamities.”

The fifth chapter, The Seven Verses of the Protective Veils, says of the one who hangs it: “The evil eye will be averted from his eye.” For al-Buni's evil eye protection prayer in Arabic, recited rather than carried, see the companion volume of litanies, Majmu'at al-Awrad.