Adapted from: Fatawa ‘Ulama-e-Hadith, Volume 09
Is it permissible to treat magic with magic? Is such income halal or haram? Can one engage in trade, eat with, or accept gifts from such a person?
Treating magic with magic is strictly prohibited (haram) in Islamic law. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ included magic among the most destructive sins.
✔ Hadith:
"Avoid the seven deadly sins..." The Companions asked, "What are they?" He ﷺ replied:
"Associating partners with Allah, practicing magic..."
(Sahih Bukhari)
Engaging in such practices is shirk (polytheism) and is therefore forbidden. The income derived from such activities is also haram, as it is earned through invalid and impermissible means.
✔ If it is known that a person earns primarily through magic:
is not permissible, as their income is rooted in haram sources.
✔ Gifts from such earnings should not be accepted, because utilizing haram wealth is itself haram.
Is it permissible to give Qur’anic amulets (ta’widh) to a woman afflicted by magic, such as from Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Yunus (verses 81–82), and other du‘as?
Using Qur’anic verses and authentic Prophetic supplications for treatment is permissible. If the amulet contains only verses from the Qur’an or du‘as from authentic Hadiths, and contains no shirk or innovation, it is allowed.
✔ Examples:
→ Reading these verses, making dam (blowing with recitation), or drinking water over which they are recited is permissible.
Is it permissible to pray behind someone who treats people with magic?
✔ If the practitioner’s actions reach the level of kufr or shirk, praying behind them is not permissible, as they have deviated from the core tenets of Islam.
✔ If their treatment does not reach the level of disbelief or shirk, they should not be appointed as permanent imams. However, praying behind them occasionally may be allowed if no other imam is available.
❖ Question 1:
Is it permissible to treat magic with magic? Is such income halal or haram? Can one engage in trade, eat with, or accept gifts from such a person?
❖ Answer:
Treating magic with magic is strictly prohibited (haram) in Islamic law. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ included magic among the most destructive sins.
✔ Hadith:
"Avoid the seven deadly sins..." The Companions asked, "What are they?" He ﷺ replied:
"Associating partners with Allah, practicing magic..."
(Sahih Bukhari)
Engaging in such practices is shirk (polytheism) and is therefore forbidden. The income derived from such activities is also haram, as it is earned through invalid and impermissible means.
❖ Social Interactions and Gift Acceptance
✔ If it is known that a person earns primarily through magic:
- Eating with them,
- Engaging in trade, or
- Accepting their gifts
is not permissible, as their income is rooted in haram sources.
✔ Gifts from such earnings should not be accepted, because utilizing haram wealth is itself haram.
❖ Question 2:
Is it permissible to give Qur’anic amulets (ta’widh) to a woman afflicted by magic, such as from Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Yunus (verses 81–82), and other du‘as?
❖ Answer:
Using Qur’anic verses and authentic Prophetic supplications for treatment is permissible. If the amulet contains only verses from the Qur’an or du‘as from authentic Hadiths, and contains no shirk or innovation, it is allowed.
✔ Examples:
- Surah Al-Fatiha
- Surah Yunus: 81–82
- Authentic ruqyah (spiritual healing supplications)
→ Reading these verses, making dam (blowing with recitation), or drinking water over which they are recited is permissible.
❖ Question 3:
Is it permissible to pray behind someone who treats people with magic?
❖ Answer:
✔ If the practitioner’s actions reach the level of kufr or shirk, praying behind them is not permissible, as they have deviated from the core tenets of Islam.
✔ If their treatment does not reach the level of disbelief or shirk, they should not be appointed as permanent imams. However, praying behind them occasionally may be allowed if no other imam is available.
❖ Summary
- Treating magic with magic is haram, and income from it is also haram.
- Trade, meals, and gift acceptance with such individuals is impermissible.
- Amulets based on Qur’an and authentic Sunnah are permissible if free from shirk or innovation.
- Praying behind such a person is not allowed if their actions constitute disbelief.
