Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Volume 02❖ Question
Zaid is a self-identified monotheist (Muwaḥḥid), associated with the Ahl-e-Hadith movement and also leads prayers at an Ahl-e-Hadith mosque. Despite his religious affiliation and having been in the company of notable scholars, he is involved in practices such as:- Ḥāḍarāt (summoning spirits via a child using rituals),
- Divination, and foretelling thefts and unseen matters,
- Amulet and talisman creation, including taking fees for these acts.
He charges a set fee, part of which he allocates to the mosque. Are these actions permissible in Islam? Can such earnings be used for mosque expenses? Is it permissible to offer prayers behind such a person?
❖ Answer
Zaid's actions—Ḥāḍarāt, divination, seeking knowledge of the unseen, and reliance on jinn or demons—are explicitly prohibited in Islam. These acts fall into the category of kāhānāh (soothsaying) and claiming knowledge of the unseen (ghayb), which the Prophet (ﷺ) severely condemned.❖ Key Rulings and Evidences
① Ḥāḍarāt and Divination:Such practices are part of soothsaying, which involves claiming access to unseen knowledge through communication with jinn. The Prophet (ﷺ) strongly forbade these acts and declared:
"Whoever approaches a soothsayer and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (ﷺ)."
(Abu Dawood)
② Drawing Symbols and Ritual Scripts:
Drawing talismanic patterns or inscriptions is akin to geomancy (raml), which was also prohibited:
"Divination, bird omens, and drawing lines are all forms of sorcery (jibt)."
(Abu Dawood)
③ Seeking Help from Jinn:
Claiming information from jinn is invalid, even if accurate by chance. The Qur’an says:
﴿قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ﴾
“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah.”
④ Reliance on Shayṭān or Jinn for Aid:
This is a form of shirk (polytheism) and impermissible in all cases.
⑤ Imitating Deviant Sects (e.g., Freemasonry):
These practices resemble the methods of deviant, heretical, and apostate groups whose focus is also on seeking hidden knowledge through demonic aid.
⑥ Unsubstantiated Accusations of Theft:
Using these methods to identify thieves or stolen items has no basis in Islamic tradition, neither from the Prophet (ﷺ) nor the Companions.
⑦ Glorifying Knowledge of the Unseen (Ghayb):
Attempting to acquire such knowledge outside prophetic means is a clear deviation and linked to disbelief, as affirmed by scholars like Shah Waliullah and Allama Siddiq Hasan Khan.
⑧ Misuse of Qur’anic Verses:
Using Qur’anic verses in such contexts is disrespectful and a misuse of divine scripture.
⑨ Financial Aspect:
Money earned through such impermissible practices is haram, and cannot be used for mosque expenses. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Allah is pure and only accepts what is pure."
(Bukhari and Muslim)
⑩ Leading Prayer (Imāmah):
If possible, such a person should be removed from leading prayers. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised:
“Make the best of you your Imams.”
Leading the prayer while engaging in forbidden acts and being disliked by the community makes one disqualified.
❖ Conclusion
- Zaid's actions are prohibited, sinful, and a form of misguidance.
- It is impermissible to spend money earned from such acts on the mosque.
- Such a person should not be allowed to lead prayers.
