Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (May Allah Protect Him)
من أتى عرافا فسأله عن شيء حجبت عنه التوبة اربعين ليلة، فإن صدقه بما قال فقد كفر
“Whoever goes to a fortune-teller (‘Arraf) and asks him about something, their repentance is suspended for forty nights. And if they believe what the fortune-teller says, they have committed disbelief (kufr).”
(Reported by Imam Tabarani as a Marfu’ narration from Wathilah.
من أتي كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد برئ ما أنزل على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، ومن أتاه غير مصدق له، لم تقبل له صلاة أربعين ليلة
“Whoever goes to a soothsayer (Kahin) and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him). And whoever goes to him without believing, their prayers are not accepted for forty nights.”
(Fath al-Bari 10/217; Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3904
This version of the narration is recorded by Abu Dawood.
Answer:
Yes, Islam strongly prohibits magic (sihr) and commands believers to reject and oppose magicians. The severity of dealing with magicians is highlighted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).Hadith on Visiting Magicians and Fortune-Tellers
Narration from Wathilah bin al-Asqa’ (RA):
Wathilah bin al-Asqa’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:من أتى عرافا فسأله عن شيء حجبت عنه التوبة اربعين ليلة، فإن صدقه بما قال فقد كفر
“Whoever goes to a fortune-teller (‘Arraf) and asks him about something, their repentance is suspended for forty nights. And if they believe what the fortune-teller says, they have committed disbelief (kufr).”
(Reported by Imam Tabarani as a Marfu’ narration from Wathilah.
Narration from Abu Hurairah (RA):
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:من أتي كاهنا فصدقه بما يقول فقد برئ ما أنزل على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، ومن أتاه غير مصدق له، لم تقبل له صلاة أربعين ليلة
“Whoever goes to a soothsayer (Kahin) and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him). And whoever goes to him without believing, their prayers are not accepted for forty nights.”
(Fath al-Bari 10/217; Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3904
This version of the narration is recorded by Abu Dawood.
Key Lessons from the Hadiths:
- Severe Warning Against Consulting Magicians and Fortune-Tellers:
- Merely consulting such individuals results in a suspension of repentance for forty nights.
- Believing in their statements constitutes kufr (disbelief) and a rejection of the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- Impact on Acts of Worship:
- Even if a person does not believe in the magician or soothsayer, their prayers (Salah) are not accepted for forty nights.
- Islam's Stance on Magic:
- Islam categorically condemns all forms of magic, fortune-telling, and superstition as they lead to disbelief and harm both individuals and society.