Question: My mother was ill. Despite treatment in several hospitals, there was no benefit. Eventually, she went to a sorcerer. The sorcerer told her to bathe in goat’s blood. Since my mother was not aware of the Islamic ruling on this matter, she complied and bathed in the blood as instructed by the sorcerer. Please tell us if there is any expiation (kaffara) upon us for this sin? If yes, how much? جَزَاكُمْ الله خيراً
Answer: Going to sorcerers, astrologers, magicians, and charlatans and seeking solutions from them is impermissible. Similarly, asking them questions and confirming their statements is also impermissible and indeed a major sin.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
من أتى عرافا فسأله عن شيء لم تقبل له صلوة أربعين ليلة
“Whoever goes to a sorcerer or astrologer and asks him about anything, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days.”
In another place, it is stated:
من أتى عرافا أو كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد كفر بما أنزل على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم
“Whoever goes to a sorcerer or astrologer and then confirms what he says has denied the Shariah of Muhammad.”
It is also said:
ليس منا من سحر أو سحر له، أو تكهن أو تكهن له، أو تطير او تطير له، و من اتي كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد كفر بما انزل على محمد
“He is not one of us who practices magic or has magic practiced on him, or who practices soothsaying or has soothsaying practiced on him, or who believes in bad omens or has bad omens believed for him. And whoever goes to a sorcerer and confirms what he says has denied the Shariah of Muhammad.”
Regarding bathing in blood, blood is impure and forbidden, and treating oneself with impure things is impermissible. Imam Abu Dawood narrated from Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) in his Sunan that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إن الله أنزل الداء والدواء، وجعل لكل داء دواء، فتداؤوا ولا تتداؤوا بحرام
“Indeed, Allah has sent down disease and cure, so seek treatment, but do not treat with that which is forbidden.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
إن الله لم يجعل شفاءكم فيما حرم عليكم
“Allah has not placed healing in forbidden things at all.”
In light of these evidences, it is obligatory for the mentioned woman to repent sincerely before Allah. She should refrain from doing such things in the future. Allah forgives those who sincerely repent.
Allah Almighty says:
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance that you may succeed.”
