Taweez
A written Muslim amulet, usually Quranic verses or sacred names on paper, worn in a case or folded in a pouch.
Also: ta'wiz, tawiz, ta'widh, ta'viz
A taweez, from the Arabic ta'widh, meaning seeking refuge, is a small written charm. It carries Quranic verses, the names of God, and sometimes a magic square of letters or numbers, drawn by a religious teacher. The paper is folded and placed in a leather or metal case, worn on the arm or neck, or hung over a child's cradle or a door. It is common from Morocco to Indonesia, and especially in South Asia. Believers regard it as protection against the evil eye, illness or ill luck. Reformist scholars, such as Salafis, reject wearing amulets as against the idea of reliance on God alone, while Sufi and many local scholars accept them. The trade has produced fraud.