Question: My father has been a psychiatric patient for a long time, during which he has been admitted to the hospital several times. However, some relatives advised contacting a certain woman who can treat such illnesses. They also said that you only need to tell her the patient’s name, and after a complete diagnosis, she will prescribe treatment. Is it permissible for us to go to such a woman?
Answer: It is not permissible to go to this woman or other similar women and to confirm their claims. Because they are connected to soothsayers and astrologers who seek help from jinn for treatment and claim knowledge of the unseen.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من أتى عرافا فسأله عن شيىء لم تقبل له صلوة أربعين ليلة
“Whoever goes to a soothsayer and asks him about anything, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
من أتى عرافا أو كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد كفر بما أنزل على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم
“Whoever goes to a soothsayer or astrologer and confirms what he says has denied the Shariah that was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
There are many hadiths with this meaning. Therefore, it is obligatory to reject such people and those who visit them. It is also impermissible to question such people or confirm their statements. Their matter should be presented before the rulers so that they may be punished for their actions. Leaving such people free is harmful to the Islamic society and causes deception of ignorant and naive people. This is also necessary because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمان
“If anyone among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.”
There is no doubt that presenting the matter of such people before the higher authorities like the governor, the institution of enjoining good and forbidding evil, or the court is equivalent to forbidding by the tongue and falls under mutual cooperation in righteousness and piety.
May Allah grant all Muslims the ability to perform such deeds that ensure their betterment and safety from all kinds of evil (Ameen).
