Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha, may Allah preserve him
What is a charm (mantra)?
Answer:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
« النشره من عمل الشيطان »
"Charms (mantras) are from the works of Satan."
[Musnad Ahmad 3/294; Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 3868]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) considered its chain of narration as sound (hasan).
[Fath al-Bari 10/233]
This indicates that its original source is associated with the works of Satan. However, if one intends good by it, it is considered good, otherwise it is evil. Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
"There is a possibility that charms are of two types. I say that this is correct — charms are of two types."
[Fath al-Bari 10/233]
The first type is the permissible charm: It involves breaking magic through the recitation of the Qur'an, supplications, and legitimate Islamic remembrances (adhkar).
The second type is the forbidden charm: It involves nullifying magic with the help of devils (shayaṭin), seeking their nearness, and earning their satisfaction.
It is strongly believed that the statement of the Prophet ﷺ — that charms are from Satan — refers to this second, forbidden type. The Prophet ﷺ forbade going to magicians and soothsayers and clarified that whoever affirms them has disbelieved in the revelation sent to Muhammad ﷺ.
Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Both the practitioner of the charm and the one who seeks it approach the devils with an act that pleases them, thereby nullifying the devilish magic performed on the victim. It is also said that charms done with protective supplications and legitimate supplications (duas) are permissible."
What is a charm (mantra)?
Answer:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
« النشره من عمل الشيطان »
"Charms (mantras) are from the works of Satan."
[Musnad Ahmad 3/294; Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 3868]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) considered its chain of narration as sound (hasan).
[Fath al-Bari 10/233]
This indicates that its original source is associated with the works of Satan. However, if one intends good by it, it is considered good, otherwise it is evil. Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
"There is a possibility that charms are of two types. I say that this is correct — charms are of two types."
[Fath al-Bari 10/233]
The first type is the permissible charm: It involves breaking magic through the recitation of the Qur'an, supplications, and legitimate Islamic remembrances (adhkar). The second type is the forbidden charm: It involves nullifying magic with the help of devils (shayaṭin), seeking their nearness, and earning their satisfaction.It is strongly believed that the statement of the Prophet ﷺ — that charms are from Satan — refers to this second, forbidden type. The Prophet ﷺ forbade going to magicians and soothsayers and clarified that whoever affirms them has disbelieved in the revelation sent to Muhammad ﷺ.
Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Both the practitioner of the charm and the one who seeks it approach the devils with an act that pleases them, thereby nullifying the devilish magic performed on the victim. It is also said that charms done with protective supplications and legitimate supplications (duas) are permissible."
