Does Al-Sihir (magic) still exist?
The question of whether magic (Al-Sihir) still exists is addressed in both the Qur'an and hadith literature. The Qur'an acknowledges the existence of magic, particularly in the context of the story of Solomon and the two angels, Harut and Marut, who were sent to teach people about magic as a trial. In Surah Al-Baqarah, it states: And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic...
2:102. This verse illustrates that magic has historical roots, and those who engage with it do so at great peril, as it leads to spiritual ruin and separation.
Furthermore, the hadith literature provides insight into the continued reality of magic. For instance, it is narrated that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was affected by magic to the extent that he thought he was approaching women but he was not actually with them. Sufyan said: This is the most severe form of magic. He said to Aisha, 'Did you know that Allah has given me a true answer regarding what I asked about? Two men came to me; one sat by my head and the other by my feet. The one by my head said to the other, 'What is wrong with this man?' He said, 'He is under a spell.' He asked who cast it, and he said, 'Labid bin A’sam, a man from Banu Zurayq, allied with the Jews, who was a hypocrite.' I asked about the object of the magic, and they said it was in a comb and hair removal accessory. I asked where it was, and they said in the water of a well called Dhurwan, beneath the roots of a date palm.
Sahih al-Bukhari 76:79. This narration indicates that magic was not only a phenomenon during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but that it also had a tangible impact on him.
In summary, both the Qur'an and the hadith confirm that magic is a real and serious matter, with implications for those who engage in or are affected by it. The teachings emphasize the importance of faith and reliance on Allah as a safeguard against the harms associated with magic.
Sources
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2:102 · Al-Baqara
2:102 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَٰرُوتَ وَمَٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌۭ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَٰقٍۢ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 76:79
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 76, Hadith 79 · Narrated by Aisha
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was affected by magic to the extent that he thought he was approaching women but he was not actually with them. Sufyan said: This is the most severe form of magic. He said to Aisha, "Did you know that Allah has given me a true answer regarding what I asked about? Two men came to me; one sat by my head and the other by my feet. The one by my head said to the other, 'What is wrong with this man?' He said, 'He is under a spell.' He asked who cast it, and he said, 'Labid bin A’sam, a man from Banu Zurayq, allied with the Jews, who was a hypocrite.' I asked about the object of the magic, and they said it was in a comb and hair removal accessory. I asked where it was, and they said in the water of a well called Dhurwan, beneath the roots of a date palm." She said, "The Prophet came to the well and took it out, saying, 'This is the well I showed you. Its water resembled henna dyes, and its palms looked like the heads of devils.'" She said, "So he took it out, and I asked if it broke apart. He said, 'No, by Allah, He has healed me and I dislike causing harm to any person."
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