BLACK MAGIC OR SORCERY

Magic practiced for evil purposes or in league with supposed evil spirits; witchcraft. Magic is an old human practice. It is sometimes defined as deception by showing something to an audience, which is contrary to reality. In Islam this is part of magic, which is, however, defined as seeking the help of demons to perform something harmful against somebody. Magic (Sihr in Arabic), no matter Black or White, mean: An agreement set up between a Witch (Sahir in Arabic) and a Demon (jinn), which stipulates that the Witch commit certain illegal or polytheistic acts, in return for the Demon (jinn)’s assistance and obedience in fulfilling the Witch’s request. In brief, the existence of black magic is a fact and practicing it is Kufr.

Islamic meaning:

Black magic means using talismans, enigmas and mysteries to seek help of Satans in order to effect the hearts and bodies of some persons.

TYPES OF BLACK MAGIC: 

1. MAJOR SHIRK.: 

Whoever practices sorcery commits an act of polytheism: Since sorcery is originally based on acts of polytheism such as seeking the aid of devils, it ultimately entails polytheism.

2. SIN  :

Whoever ties a knot and blows in it: Those who practice witchcrafts by tying knots and blowing dribbles into them

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Whoever ties a knot and then blows in it (with the purpose of harming others) commits an act o f sorcery, and whoever practices sorcery commits an act o f polytheism, and whoever attaches an amulet will be left to its control.”

 

(Related by An-Nasa’i)

Punishment of a sorcerer:

Jundub narrated:

“The prescribed punishment of a sorcerer is a stroke with the sword.” 

(Related by At-Tirmidhi who graded it as a hadith mawquf)

Bajalah Ibn ‘Abadah narrated:

“ Umar Ibnul-Khattdb sent us a message reading, ‘Kill every sorcerer and every sorceress.’ Thereupon, we killed three sorcerers.’ ”

Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave an order to kill one of her slave 4 girls who bewitched her, and this slave girl was thus executed . In addition, it is related that Jundub did the same. 

According to Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, The execution of sorcerers is authentically reported from three Companions; namely,

1. Umar
2. Hafsah
3. Jundub (may Allah be pleased with them all).

• A stroke with the sword: It means that he must be killed.

• Hadith mawqtif(Discontinued Hadith): It is a report traced back to a Companion of the Prophet (PBUH).

 Relevance of the Hadith and Reports to the Chapter 

The above-mentioned reports signify that killing is the prescribed penalty of a sorcerer. This indicates the enormity of practicing sorcery, which is one of the major sins. 

Lessons Drawn from the Traditions :

❖ Killing is the prescribed penalty of practicing sorcery, without calling the sorcerer to repent. 

❖ As sorcery was practiced in the era of ‘ Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), it has been much more widely practiced ever since.

Sorcery:

Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“But they (i.e., the Children o f Israel) certainly knew that whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter any share.” 

(Qur’an: Al-Baqarah: 102) 

He, further, says:

“…who believe in jibt (superstition) and tdghdt (false objects of worship).” 

(Qur’an: An-Nisa’: 51)

 ‘ Umar Ibn ul-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“The word jibt’refers to sorcery, whereas the word ‘tdghut’ refers to Satan”

 Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 

“The word ‘taghut’ refers to the soothsayers assisted by devils. The soothsayers o f each tribe were supported by a devil.”

Since sorcery is an act of polytheism, the present chapter is devoted to elaborate on it and warn Muslims against its consequences. 

Keywords and Phrases:

 • Sorcery: Charms, incantations, drugs, smokes or knots which have effects on hearts and bodies and may cause disease, death or dissensions between the two spouses. 

• But they (i.e., the Children of Israel) certainly knew: The Jews, who prefer practicing sorcery to following the Messengers of Allah.

 • Whoever purchased it (i.e., magic): Those who adopt sorcery instead of following the religion of Allah. • Jibt: It is an Arabic word, which originally refers to idols, sorcerers and soothsayers. ‘Umar’s interpretation provides one of its connotations. 

•Taghut: It is originally taken from the Arabic verb, ‘Tagha meaning ‘to exceed proper limits’ Contextually it refers to Satan and whoever exceeds the legal limits. Jabir’s interpretation provides one of its meanings.

General Meaning of the Two Qur’anic Verses :

Allah, Exalted be He, enunciates that the Jews who prefer practicing sorcery to following the Messengers and believing in Allah, know well that whoever does so will not have any share in the Hereafter. In the second verse, Allah, Exalted be He, states that the Jews believe in the jibt, which includes sorcery.

 Relevance of the Two Qur’anic Verses to the Chapter :

The two Qur’anic verses provide a proof of the prohibition of practicing sorcery, and regard it as a type of jibt.

 Lessons Drawn from the two Qur’anic Verses :

• It is prohibited to practice sorcery. 

• A sorcerer is legally regarded as a disbeliever.

 • The Qur’anic verses imply a strict threat to those who turn away from Allah’s Book, and follow other laws.

 • Sorcery is an act of polytheism, as it implies seeking the devils’ help and being attached to them.

• The prohibition of practicing sorcery, which is one of the deadly major sins. Such deadly sins ultimately result in apostasy. 

Protection against black magic:

The Prophet (Peace and Blessing upon Him) explicitly prohibited all magical ruqa. Jabir reported that the Prophet (Peace and Blessing upon Him) said:

‘Nashrah’  is of the doing of Satan.’ Recorded by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no. 2760).

•A magical spell done to counter another magical spell:

Shielding oneself from the evil of black magic or any other magic lies in adherence to Zikr (remembrance) of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, The Exalted, supplicating Him and placing one’s confidence in Him. Furthermore, achieving such a protection does not lie in the use of what is Haram like talisman and incantations or by carrying impurities such as bones of a pig. In fact, these latter things increase the bad effects of magic and bring devils.

Here is the best way to shield oneself from magic:

1) To have a firm belief that Allah سبحانه و تعالىis The Only One Who can do harm and good to people; that nothing befalls a slave except what He has decreed; that magic has no influence except with Allah’s سبحانه و تعالىWill. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning):

{…, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allâh’s سبحانه و تعالى Leave.…}

Qur’an Surah al-Baqarah2: 102.

But, it is regrettable that due to weakness of faith, many people feel awe of others, as they fear Allah or more. So, they hasten to push back distress through what increases it but they do not realize it. Thus you have to pray to Allah سبحانه و تعالى, seek refuge with Him and place confidence in Him, and Insha Allah, nothing will befall except what He wills.

2) To protect oneself from magicians and devils with a fort that no one can get beyond, i.e. keeping on forms of Zikr day and night, morning and evening and so on, of restricted and unrestricted forms of Zikr. Such a way causes one to be with Allah سبحانه و تعالىand whoever is with Allah سبحانه و تعالى, He will be with him and nothing will harm him, Allahسبحانه و تعالىwilling.

3) If, by the Divine Qadar, someone is afflicted with magic, he has to treat such a case through al-Ruqiyah al-Shar`iyyah, i.e. reciting Ayath 255 of Al-Baqara Surah, the last two ayaath of the same Surah, Surahs Numbers 112, 113 and 114, and other Qur’anic Ayath that mention magic such as {Then when they had cast down, Mûsa (Moses) said:

“What you have brought is sorcery, Allâh سبحانه و تعالىwill surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allâh سبحانه و تعالىdoes not set right the work of Al-Mufsidûn (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.). “And Allâh سبحانه و تعالىwill establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it.”}

[10: 81-82]

He also Says:

{… That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain.”}

[20: 69].

……………………………………………. 

1. Seeking It from Magicians or Soothsayers:

One may never go to a magician for help, regardless of whether the magician were true or false. False magicians are liars who pretend things to attract people’s awe, money, or both. True magicians rely on jinns and the devil, and apply procedures containing kufr to produce their spells. Thus all of their spells, including ruqa, are prohibited, and any Muslim who seeks their help belies his belief in the Prophet (Peace and Blessing upon Him). Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (Peace and Blessing upon Him) said:

‘Whoever goes to a soothsayer or fortuneteller and believes in what he says has indeed rejected that which has been revealed to Muhammad.’ Recorded by Ahmad and al-Hakim.

Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahih ul-Jami no. 5939).

2. Using Unintelligible Words or Phrases:

As has been indicated earlier, a ruqyah must be in intelligible and well-understandable words. Otherwise, it could contain shirk, magic, or other evils covered by cryptic characters and mysterious words.

3. Applying It in Prohibited or Strange Situations:

Some people require that a ruqyah be accompanied with bizarre actions or conditions, such as applying it in a graveyard or bathroom, or applying it to a person who is unclean or covered with najasah. These and other similar requirements, beside conflicting with what has been reported in the Sunnah, demonstrate a devilish tendency that must be totally avoided.

As for writing a ruqyah on a piece of paper and attaching it to the body of the patient, or soaking the paper in water and making him drink that water, or blowing and spitting over a water container while reading it and then making him drink that water, all of this has no basis in the Sunnah (There are some authentic reports indicating that Imam Ahmad (AR) and some other ‘ulama of the Pious Predecessor have allowed some of these actions, but this by no means gives them a stamp of approval without a supportive evidence from the Sunnah.), and should therefore be totally avoided.

4. Using Prohibited Words or Phrases:

A ruqyah may not include evil words, such as cursing, offensive descriptions, or profanity. All of this is prohibited, and, as has been indicated earlier, Allah did not make our cure in anything prohibited.

5. Relying on the Power of the Ruqyah:

Neither the person applying a ruqyah, nor the person to whom it is applied may assume that it has an independent power of cure or protection. They must both put their full trust in Allah, rely fully on Him, and believe that the ruqyah is a means that He created for them. As Ibn Al-Qayyim indicates (Al Jawab Al Kafi), one should view a ruqyah like one does a sword: it can be of no use without three conditions:

a) It should be strong and sharp.

b) The person using it should be well versed and experienced.

c) There should be no obstacles hindering it from being most effective.

 

REFERENCES:

[1] https://www.askislampedia.com/en/wiki/-/wiki/English_wiki/Black+Magic

& https://www.askislampedia.com/en/wiki/-/wiki/English_wiki/Ruqyah  

 

[2] “CONCISE COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF TAWHID”

 BY SHAYKH DR. SALIH AL FAWZAN Hafizullah.