Sihr, commonly known as black magic, is an Arabic term that is literally translated to mean “hidden” or “secret”. It is thus termed taking into account the secretive nature of practitioners’ dealings with Satan in effort to distort reality, confuse people and/or harm them. Thus, in most instances, the victims have no knowledge of the reality of the situation.
Allah reveals in the Surah Ta Ha:
قَالُوۡا يٰمُوۡسٰٓى اِمَّاۤ اَنۡ تُلۡقِىَ وَاِمَّاۤ اَنۡ نَّكُوۡنَ اَوَّلَ مَنۡ اَلۡقٰ
قَالَ بَلۡ اَلۡقُوۡاۚ فَاِذَا حِبَالُهُمۡ وَعِصِيُّهُمۡ يُخَيَّلُ اِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ سِحۡرِهِمۡ اَنَّهَا تَسۡعٰى
فَاَوۡجَسَ فِىۡ نَفۡسِهٖ خِيۡفَةً مُّوۡسٰ
قُلۡنَا لَا تَخَفۡ اِنَّكَ اَنۡتَ الۡاَعۡلٰى
وَاَ لۡقِ مَا فِىۡ يَمِيۡنِكَ تَلۡقَفۡ مَا صَنَعُوۡا ؕاِنَّمَا صَنَعُوۡا كَيۡدُ سٰحِرٍ ؕ وَلَا يُفۡلِحُ السّٰحِرُ حَيۡثُ اَتٰ
فَاُلۡقِىَ السَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا بِرَبِّ هٰرُوۡنَ وَمُوۡسٰى
They said, “O Musa, either you throw or we will be the first to throw. He said, “Rather, you throw.” And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving (like snakes). So, Musa’s heart was filled with fear. We said, “Do not be scared. Certainly, you are to be the upper most. And throw what is in your right hand, and it will devour what they have concocted. What they have concocted is but a sleight of a magician. And the magician does not succeed wherever he comes from.” [Surah Ta Ha 20:65-69]
Should Muslims believe in Sihr?
وَمِنۡ شَرِّ النَّفّٰثٰتِ فِى الۡعُقَدِۙ
“And from the evil of the blowers in knots (i.e., those who practice magic.).” [Surah Al-Falaq 113:04]
In Islam, Sihr, black magic or witchcraft is true. A believing Muslim cannot deny its existence as it is widely discussed in a number of Quranic verses and hadeeth. Rather believing Muslims should take measures to protect against it.
Is performing Sihr a major sin in Islam?
In the hadeeth below, it is evidenced that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) listed Sihr among the seven major sins.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” The people enquired, “O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! What are they?” He said, “To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery (Sihr), to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), to eat up Riba (usury), to eat up an orphan’s wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Origins of Sihr
Allah, the Most-High, educates us on the origin and sinful nature of Sihr in the Quran.
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 فِتْنَةٌ 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 ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَٰقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
“And they followed (instead) what the devils had recited during the reign of Suleiman. It was not Suleiman who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But they [i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say, “We are a trial, so do not disbelieve (by practicing magic).” And (yet) they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And they (i.e., people) learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they (i.e., the Children of Israel) certainly knew that whoever purchased it (i.e., magic) would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.” [Surah Baqarah 02:102]
Among previous nations, a rumor has been spreading that the Prophet Suleiman (AS) had committed an act of disbelief (kufr) by using & teaching people how to practice Sihr or black magic. The origins of the proliferation Sihr can be traced back to after his time. However, Allah clarifies in the verse above that Suleiman (AS) had not done so, and it was in fact Shayateen (devils) who spread the knowledge of Sihr amongst humans.
As stated in the verse above, knowledge of Sihr was originally revealed in Babylon (by Allah’s command) by two angels by the name Harut and Marut. It was revealed as a trial to humans, and they (the angels) did not teach anyone this practice until they clarified to them “We are a trial, so do not disbelieve (by practicing magic).” And as the verse mentions, this knowledge was spread by the Shayateen and corrupt humans. This practice exists to this day and is practiced widely (yet secretively) in many cultures – unfortunately among Muslims as well.
It goes without saying, that the effects of Sihr only works because Allah preordained it. And as clearly stated it is a trial for both the practitioner and the victim(s) as with all trials in this life. It is an act of Kufr and the practitioner learns and practices it at his/her own detriment in the hereafter.
Signs that a person has been affected by Sihr
A person affected by Sihr or black magic may show the symptoms listed below. However, it should be noted that having the below symptoms does not always mean he/she is affected by Sihr, it could also point to an underlying psychological/physiological condition. The effects of Sihr are not limited to these as well, but these are the most common effects.
- Dislike towards one’s spouse. Allah says in the Surah Al-Baqarah:
“…And (yet) they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife…” [Surah Baqarah 02:102]
This is probably the most well known effect of Blackmagic – sowing distrust and creating distance between spouses, family members, relatives
- Inability or dislike in having intercourse with one’s spouse.
- Recurrent miscarriages.
- A change in attitude or demeanor from how the individual is at home to when he/she is outside.
- Rapid changes in behavior with no apparent explanation.
- Loss of appetite.
- Overcome with sudden love or obsession for an individual.
- Confusion – assuming that the individual has done something when he/she has not.
Sihr was done on RasulUllah (PBUH)
Narrated `Aisha (RA):
The Prophet (ﷺ) continued for such-and-such period imagining that he has slept (had sexual relations) with his wives, and in fact he did not. One day he said, to me, “O `Aisha! Allah has instructed me regarding a matter about which I had asked Him. There came to me two men, one of them sat near my feet and the other near my head. The one near my feet, asked the one near my head (pointing at me), ‘What is wrong with this man? The latter replied, ‘He is under the effect of magic.’ The first one asked, ‘Who had worked magic on him?’ The other replied, ‘Lubaid bin Asam.’ The first one asked, ‘What material (did he use)?’ The other replied, ‘The skin of the pollen of a male date tree with a comb and the hair stuck to it, kept under a stone in the well of Dharwan.”‘ Then the Prophet (ﷺ) went to that well and said, “This is the same well which was shown to me in the dream. The tops of its date-palm trees look like the heads of the devils, and its water looks like the Henna infusion.” Then the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered that those things be taken out. I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Won’t you disclose (the magic object)?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah has cured me and I hate to circulate the evil among the people.” `Aisha added, “(The magician) Lubaid bin Asam was a man from Bani Zuraiq, an ally of the Jews.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 6063]
Protection against Sihr
- Tawakkul – have firm faith that Allah will protect you against all evil.
- Recite the Morning and Evening Adhkar regularly to protect from Sihr & it’s effects
- Recite Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah Baqarah 02:255)
“When you go to your bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi (2.255), for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
- Recite Surah Al-Baqarah
Abu Hurairah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “Do not turn your houses into graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited.” [Muslim]
As stated in the hadith above and other reports, reciting Surah Al-Baqarah is a powerful mechanism for protecting oneself & their household from Sihr, evil eye and other evil. It should be recited at regular intervals.
- Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayatul Kursi, verses concerning sihr in Surah Al-A’raf (07:117-119), Surah Yunus, Surah At-Taha, Surah Al-Kafirun, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas over the victim or into a vessel. The sunnah dua below should also be recited for good health:
Ali (RA) said:
When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) recited ruqyah for a sick person, he said:
اللَّهُمَّ ربَّ النَّاسِ ، أَذْهِب الْبَأسَ ، واشْفِ ، أَنْتَ الشَّافي لا شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ ، شِفاءً لا يُغَادِرُ سقَماً
Allahumma Rabban-naas, azhibil-ba’s, washfi antash-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uka, shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa
“O Allah! the Rab of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him/her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Al-Muslim]
- Eating seven Ajwa dates on an empty stomach. If Ajwa dates are unavailable, other date fruits could also be used.
- Hijama (cupping)
- Be suspicious individuals claiming to be able to solve problems for you in a manner that seems unnatural. Avoid the use of amulets, charms, handed by such individuals etc….
- Make sincere dua to Allah. With reference to Sihr, He says in the Quran:
“…But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 02:102]
Ruqya against effects of Sihr
Jibril (AS) would recite the dua of Ruqyah upon Rasulullah (PBUH) when he fell ill [Sunan Ibn Majah]. The Dua is as follows:
بِاسْمِ اللهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ أَوْ عَيْنِ حَاسِدٍ، اللهُ يَشْفِيكَ بِاسْمِ اللهِ أَرْقِيكَ
Transliteration: Bismillahi arqika, min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘aynin aw hasidin. Allahu yashfika, bismillahi arqika
Translation: In the Name of Allah, I perform Ruqyah for you, from everything that is harming you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye, may Allah heal you. In the Name of Allah, I perform Ruqyah for you.
To perform Ruqyah (on oneself or someone else) recite the following:
- The Dua of Ruqyah provided above (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surat Al-Fatiha (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Ayatul Kursi (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Last two ayaat of Surat al Baqarah (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah Al-Falaq (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah An-Nas (3, 5, or 7 times)
Recite verses of sihr-magic (one or more of the following sets of verses) from the Quran (3, 5, or 7 times)
After reciting these, blow into a generous quantity of water (a bottle or more) & drink from it throughout the day & also wash or bathe from it. It is preferable to use ZamZam, but any drinkable water would be acceptable.
And Allah (SWT) Know Best.
