Question:
What is magic?
Answer:
“Sahar” in language means to catch, and anything whose source is subtle and delicate is called “Sahar,” that is, magic.
Magic is described as something whose cause is small, soft, and delicate. Deception is also called magic. Making a lie appear true is also called magic.
Imam Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
Know that the word Sahar in the terminology of Shariah refers to every matter whose cause is hidden and whose true reality is an illusion. It is a substitute for adulteration and deception.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also called eloquence a form of magic.
He, peace be upon him, said:
إن من البيان لسحرا
“Indeed, some speech is magic.”