In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
In the world of cause and effect (Dar ul-Asbaab), believing that magic etc. - that is to say, without material and solid reasons and means - could benefit or harm is false. This can only be understood when certain foundational matters become present in the heart and mind; otherwise, freeing the mind from the illusions of magic (that is, believing that without material means benefit or harm can occur) becomes extremely difficult.
1. Oath – Promise / Agreement
(إِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِن بَنِي آدَمَ)
When your Lord took the covenant from the children of Adam - (“No doubt, You alone are our Lord; we all are witnesses.”)
(Surah Al-A‘raaf 172)
We were created in this world to prove the truth of this covenant through our actions. And the world has been made a place of cause and effect, where according to physical (natural) laws — without adapting and using material means, even the smallest need or requirement cannot possibly be fulfilled.
This permanent (determined) system of cause and effect has been explained repeatedly in different ways. On the contrary, deep reflection on this system of causes and means has been commanded. To give certainty about its unchangeable nature, it has been said:
2. Does a human being obtain his desire (need or requirement) without adopting means and without taking action? (An-Najm 24)
3. If someone stretches both hands toward water and keeps saying (reciting a wazifa or chanting a mantra): “O water, come to my mouth” - (it will never come) (Ar-Ra‘d 14)
4. And if there were a Quran (or a book of mantras) whose recitation (or chanting) could cause mountains to move, or the Earth to shrink instantly, or the dead to speak — even then they would not believe.
The reality is that all such things are acts of Allah’s power.
(Because in the world of cause and effect, without material means, nothing occurs) (Ar-Ra‘d 31)
Satan’s Challenge
Satan challenged Allah:
“I will surely take a portion of Your servants.” (An-Nisa 118)
And how he will take a portion of them has also been explained:
“I will mislead them, give them false hopes, and command them to slit the ears of cattle and to change Allah’s creation.” (An-Nisa 119)
5. Satan said:
“Since You have led me astray, I will sit in ambush for them on Your straight path.
Then I will come at them from the front, from behind, from their right, and from their left — and You will find most of them ungrateful.” (Al-A‘raaf 17)
6. Satan said:
“My Lord, because You have led me astray, I will make the world seem attractive to them, and I will mislead them all.” (Al-Hijr 39)
Divine Guidance
To protect His servants from satanic deceptions and whispers, Allah has given the knowledge of reality through the Quran and His Messenger ﷺ:
This worldly life is only a short test, and the Hereafter is better and everlasting. Therefore, compared to the Hereafter, the reality of this worldly life is nothing but play and amusement. (Al-Hadid 20)
For the nourishment of creation, solid and material means have been created and provided. Not only are we able to see them with our eyes, but we are repeatedly commanded to reflect upon them.
And we are warned: Whoever opposes this system and falls into satanic illusions will be thrown into Hell along with Satan. (Al-A‘raaf 18)
Condition of Muslims Today
Despite such clear explanations in the Quran, except for a few, most Muslims believe in:
magic
sorcery
demonic shadows or evil spirits
the evil eye
amulets and incantations
knotted threads
exorcism or ritual healing
It also includes believing that gain or loss can be derived not only from deceased individuals but also from their:
graves
shrines
spiritual abodes (آستانوں)
the 40-day retreat or the sacred site where it happened (چھلوں)
sacred relics (آثار)
Consequently, when:
a child exhibits sleep starts (Hypnic jerks)
suffers from indigestion
someone falls ill
a business faces losses
a person starts talking incoherently / running out of the house / behaving abnormally / having nightmares
which in reality are physical, psychological, and mental illnesses, people, instead of consulting a doctor, turn to:
fortune-tellers
those who claim to summon spirits/jinns
practitioners of occult spells
spiritual guides (مرشد)
These practitioners, through their eloquent talk and trickery, mislabel these illnesses as magic, evil shadows, sorcery, a curse, or the influence of stars.
They extort money from the public through threads, amulets, incantations, ritual lamps/wicks (فلیتے ), knotted strings, bangles/bracelets, and rings. Furthermore, by narrating false and fabricated tales of the saints' blessings, they trap people in a cycle of visiting shrines and spiritual abodes, and performing forty-day seclusion rituals.
Why People Fall Into These Filths
Childhood exposure to fictional stories of jinns, fairies, black magic, etc.
Most religions are built on superstition, so people grow up with a similar mindset.
Those who earn money from these beliefs actively promote them through tricks, marketing and fear.
Root Cause Among Muslims
The fundamental reason Muslims fall into these impurities is lack of fear of the Hereafter.
This comes from:
ignorance of Quran
blind following of tradition
misinterpretation of verses
explanations written under cultural influence rather than Quranic clarity
Human Psychology
Humans are psychological beings. Their minds are influenced by what they see and hear. This is why Allah commands believing men and women to: lower their gaze and guard their modesty. (An‑Nur: 30-31)
Refutation of Evil Eye
Millions of men watch Miss India and Miss World. The contestants do not fall sick, faint, or get harmed. If “evil eye” truly harmed women, they would not need a command to observe modesty. They would automatically hide themselves.
This proves that “Evil eye” is nothing but a satanic illusion.
Protection from Imaginary Harm
Instead of fearing from women who blow on knots or people who express envy, Allah instructs us to seek refuge in Him from these "imagined" harms.
(Al‑Falaq: 4-5). Both “knots” and “blowing” refer to satanic whispers, not real magical forces. (Sahih Muslim: The Book of Prayer - Travelers , Sunan Abi Dawud: The Book of Prayer )
7. It is universally accepted that the entire creation, even if it works together, cannot create anything without Allah's involvement. (Al‑Hajj: 73)
Therefore, through لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ the reality has been taught that:
Allah alone created this universe
Allah alone sustains it
Allah alone is the Provider, Helper, and Controller of all creation
It is also universally accepted that magic cannot turn a staff or rope into a real snake. Only Allah, by His power, can turn a staff into a snake. In this world, nothing can occur against the natural, physical laws unless Allah Himself commands it.
For example: The fire becoming cool and safe for Ibrahim (AS) happened only by Allah’s command (Al-Anbiya: 69).
This is why Allah says: All miracles of the Prophets occurred only by Allah’s permission (Ar‑Ra’d: 38).
No Prophet had even the slightest independent power to produce a miracle on his own (Surah Ibrahim: 11) .
When the disciples of Isa (AS) asked for a ready-made feast to descend from the sky, Allah warned: “If you disobey after it is sent, I will punish you with a punishment that no one in the world has ever received.”
This severe warning was given because:
Their request violated the natural laws of the world of causes.
In this world, nothing can be obtained without adopting firm, material means
No 'wazifa', 'mantra' or chanting can produce physical results without real causes. (Al-Ma’idah: 112–115)
8. Mankind was created in this world for the purpose of being tested through their actions. And an extensive and robust system of material and tangible means and resources has been established for their sustenance and fulfillment of needs.
The Quran says: Even if fourteen oceans were turned into ink to write down its details, the ink would be exhausted but the description of the provisions for sustenance would still remain incomplete. (Surah Ibrahim: 34, Surah An‑Nahl: 18, Surah Al‑Kahf: 109, Surah Luqman: 27)
Misunderstanding About “Scientific Research” in the Quran
Some people claim, “The real invitation of the Quran is to research the universe.”
They present Western scientific achievements (steam, electricity, inventions) as proof. If this was true, all Prophets would have been scientists and inventors. The Quran does not forbid reflection or research into the causes and mechanisms of the universe. Allah knows humans will continue inventing to meet their growing needs.
But the primary purpose of the Quran’s revelation and the primary mission of all Prophets is to warn humanity of the eternal punishment of the Hereafter and guide them to salvation. Because:
The Hereafter is entirely unseen and in the future
All preparation for it must be done in this world, which is the place of Deeds
The Hereafter is the place of reward and consequence
Why Does the Quran Mention Magic (سحر)?
People argue: “Magic must be real because the Quran mentions it.”
This argument arises from ignorance of the Quran’s purpose:
The Quran is a book of clear guidance
To guide, it must also identify falsehoods and deceptions
Without knowing what misguidance is, one cannot remain on guidance
The divine law is even the slightest misguidance destroys all worship and all good deeds, and leads to eternal Hell. (Surah Al‑An’am: 88, Surah Az‑Zumar: 65)
What the Quran Actually Says About Magic
The Quran mentions سحر (magic) 60 times, in different contexts, to explain its true nature:
Magic is nothing but a deception of the eyes (Surah Al‑A’raf: 116).
The Quran also explains:
Who teaches magic
Who practices it
What their fate is
Surah Al‑Baqarah (2:101–102) states:
Those who abandon the Book of Allah become like ignorant people
They follow what the devils recited
Sulaiman (AS) did not commit disbelief
The devils committed disbelief
They taught people magic
Those who learn magic know they will have no share in the Hereafter
Conclusion From These Verses
Teaching magic is the work of devils
Practicing magic, amulets, charms, rituals, exorcism or ritual healing, etc. is a denial of Allah’s system of material causes
Denying Allah’s system is the work of Satan
Meaning of سحر
The Quran defines سحر as “the art of deceiving the eyes” (Surah Al‑A’raf: 116).
When the eyes are deceived, the mind forms false impressions (Surah Taha: 66–67).
It is proven from the Quran that in every era the reality of La ilaha illa Allah is that Allah alone, without any partner, is the Sustainer, the Fulfiller of needs, the Redresser of grievances, and the Solver of all problems for the entire creation and the fact that every soul will be resurrected after death to be recompensed for its own deeds, was presented through the signs of the universe and the requirements of intellect and human nature.
When no room remained to deny the factual reality of Allah being the sole Disposer of affairs, the deniers would label these truths as 'magic' (Sihr—an optical illusion) and call those who conveyed these messages (the Prophets) as ‘magicians' (Sahir) (Az-Zariyat: 39, 52; Ta-Ha: 63).
Furthermore, when their demands for things contrary to natural laws were fulfilled by Allah through miracles by His power, they would not merely call them magic, but 'clear magic' (Sihr-um-mubeen - an open deception of the sight).
Accordingly, the miracles of Jesus (Al-Ma'idah: 110; As-Saff: 6), the miracles of Moses (Yunus: 76; An-Naml: 13), the Quran itself (Al-An’am: 7), and the news of resurrection after death and the eternal life of the Hereafter (Hud: 7; Saba: 43; As-Saffat: 15; Al-Ahqaf: 7) were all labelled by them as ‘clear magic’.
Even the disbelievers understood that: Magic is only an illusion of the eyes
To confirm this, Allah says: “Even if We opened a gate in the sky and they ascended through it, they would say:
‘Our eyes have been dazzled; we have been bewitched.’” (Al‑Hijr: 14–15)
And Allah Himself calls mere visual deception “magic”:
“This is the Fire you used to deny.
Is this magic, or do you not see?”
(Surah At‑Tur: 14–15)
People usually present the verse about magic causing separation between man and wife (Surah Al‑Baqarah 2:102) as proof that magic has real power.
But the Quranic text says something very different.
The verse states:
“And they followed what was revealed to the two angels, Harut and Marut, in Babylon.
But the two angels would not teach anyone until they had warned them:
‘We are only a trial, so do not commit disbelief.’
Even after this warning, people learned from them that which caused separation between a man and his wife.
But they could not harm anyone through it except by Allah’s permission.
They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them.
And they surely knew that whoever purchased this (practice) would have no share in the Hereafter.
How wretched is what they sold their souls for — if only they knew.”
In this verse, the phrase “except by Allah’s permission” (إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ) is of fundamental importance.
Two Possible Meanings of “By Allah’s Permission (إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ)”
1. If “permission” means Allah’s command
Then the meaning becomes: Only that magician’s act will have an effect (i. e., separation will occur) whom Allah commands to have an effect.
But this would imply:
Allah is the One who commands the separation
Allah is the One who activates the magic
This is impossible and unacceptable, because:
It makes Allah the direct cause of the magician’s act
It makes Allah the One who “executes” magic
It contradicts the entire Quranic system of causes and moral responsibility
Therefore, the above meaning of (إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ) is invalid.
2. If “permission” means Allah’s law
Then the meaning becomes:
Separation between man and wife can only occur according to Allah’s established law, such as:
Talaq - divorce initiated by the husband
Khula - divorce initiated by the wife
Death
Therefore amulets, charms, spells, rituals, and magical practices cannot cause separation.
This meaning is fully consistent with:
the Quran
the system of causes
the laws of marriage and divorce
the moral responsibility of human actions
The Beginning of the Verse Also Clarifies the Issue
The opening words of 2:102 show:
People who are ignorant of the Book of Allah
People who abandon the Book
People who do not act according to the Book
fall to the lowest level of moral and intellectual corruption.
The purpose of this verse is:
**To warn believers not to remain ignorant of the Quran, otherwise they will fall into the same condition as those described in Surah An‑Nisa 4:51:**
“Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Book, yet they believe in Jibt and Taghut?”
Meaning of Jibt
The original meaning of Jibt is:
something baseless
something without reality
something without benefit
In Islamic terminology, Jibt refers to:
magic
soothsaying
astrology
fortune‑telling
omens
superstitions
rituals
charms
talismans
all imaginary, baseless beliefs
(Reference: Tafheem‑ul‑Quran, Vol. 1, Surah An‑Nisa, Note 81)
Religion Is for People of Reason
For people of intellect, the Quran presents clear examples to understand the reality of magic.
Example 1: The Magicians of Pharaoh
When Musa (AS) allowed the magicians to perform first, they:
threw their ropes and staffs
used their skill and tricks
created an illusion
deceived the eyes of the people
frightened the crowd with a powerful visual deception
(Surah Al‑A’raf: 116)
Example 2: Musa (AS) Himself Saw the Illusion
When the magicians threw their ropes and staffs:
Musa (AS) saw them moving
but this movement was only an illusion
created by their skill and technique
(Surah Taha: 66)
Conclusion From These Verses
Magicians only deceive the eyes, not reality
The mind is affected after the eyes are deceived
This is a natural psychological process
It is not supernatural power
It is not real transformation
It is not a break in physical laws
The second reality that is proven is that only those people are affected by the tricks of magicians who are watching their tricks, and those who are not watching do not have their vision deceived.
Note: The magic was not performed in front of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, therefore the narration about him being affected by magic is proven false. For further clarification, Tafhim al-Quran Volume 4, Surah Az-Zukhruf, Note No. 44 is presented:
"The maximum that a magician can do is that within a limited area, he can influence the minds of people present before him in such a way that they begin to feel that water has turned into blood... Even within this limited area, no water will actually turn into blood; rather, upon leaving the circle, water will remain water... As for causing famine throughout an entire country or filling all the country's canals, springs, and wells with blood... no magician has ever been able to do this, nor can it ever happen through the power of magic. If a king had such magicians, what need would he have to maintain an army and endure the hardships of war? Through magic, he could subjugate the entire world. In fact, if magicians possessed such power, why would they serve kings at all? Would they not become kings themselves?... And it is clearly evident that in his (Pharaoh's) view, magic was a false thing, by accusing Moses of which he labeled him a false claimant to Prophethood."
The phrase "influencing the mind in such a way" in the above explanation is incorrect. Because a magician cannot influence the mind with his magic; rather, he deceives the vision, and the mind being affected due to the vision being deceived is a divine law.
It is a universally established fact that when a group of experts in any field demonstrate something through their words and actions, the possibility of that thing being false becomes almost zero. For this reason, to prove that the belief in magic causing benefit or harm is false, the Quran presents the words and actions of an entire group of expert magicians.
Surah Al-A‘raf: 113
“And when the magicians came to Pharaoh, they said: ‘If we are victorious, will we surely receive a great reward?’”
This verse shows that it wasn’t just one magician — it was an entire group of expert magicians.
They approached Pharaoh not with power, but with dependency: asking for a reward if they succeeded.
This proves they had no real control or supernatural ability.
Surah Ash-Shu‘ara: 41
“They said: ‘If we are victorious, will we surely be among those rewarded?’”
The same request is repeated, confirming their lack of self-sufficiency.
If magic had real power:
They wouldn’t need Pharaoh’s approval.
They would have used magic to seize his wealth.
They would have freed themselves from servitude and become rulers.
When Musa (AS) defeated them:
They immediately fell into prostration.
They declared belief in Rabb al-‘Alamin (Lord of the Worlds).
They confessed that their tricks - using ropes and staffs - were deceptions of the eyes.
They begged for forgiveness for misleading people.
Pharaoh ordered:
Their hands and feet to be cut from opposite sides.
Their crucifixion.
These expert magicians:
Could not save themselves through magic.
Could not escape punishment.
Instead, they prayed for patience and submitted to Allah.
References:
Surah Al-A‘raf: 122–126
Surah Taha: 71–73
Surah Ash-Shu‘ara: 46–51
These magicians could not protect themselves with magic.
So how could they possibly harm others with it?
The phrase “وَلَا يُفْلِحُ” means:
A magician cannot fulfill even the smallest need of his own life through magic.
He cannot use magic to gain food, wealth, protection, or status.
صنعوا (“they made”) — Hud: 16, Ar-Ra‘d: 31
واصنع (“make”) — Hud: 37
يصنعون (“they make/do”) — Al-Ma’idah: 14, 63; An-Nur: 30
These words show:
Magic is a crafted trick, not a supernatural force.
Magicians use skill and technique, not mantras or incantations.
Meaning: hidden planning or strategy.
Strategy is an action, not a chant.
Magic is based on performance, not spiritual power.
Meaning: your schemes or tactics.
Again, this refers to actions, not mantras or blowing.
Magic is not a force that acts independently.
It is a visual deception, a performance, a psychological trick.
It cannot:
Alter reality
Break divine laws
Cause harm without physical means
The Prophet ﷺ preached La ilaha illallah — that Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of life, death, Paradise, and Hell.
As people began accepting this truth, the leaders of Quraysh tried to stop them by saying:
“You are following a man who has been bewitched.” (Surah Al-Isra: 47, Surah Al-Furqan: 8)
Allah responded: “They are misguided and cannot find the way.” (Surah Al-Isra: 48, Surah Al-Furqan: 9)
Despite this clear Quranic verdict, some people still believe — based on fabricated narrations — that the Prophet ﷺ was affected by magic.
This belief contradicts the Quran.
Logical Contradictions in the Magic Claim
Everyone agrees the Prophet ﷺ never suffered mental impairment.
Yet some compare magic to physical illness — which is illogical and contradictory.
Some claim that Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas were revealed to cure the Prophet ﷺ from magic. But it is universally accepted that:
The magic was supposedly done in Medina
These Surahs were revealed in Mecca
Surah Al-Falaq is the 20th revelation, Surah An-Nas the 21st
The Prophet ﷺ supposedly learned about the magic in a dream, through angels.
But since the magic was not performed in front of him, it could not have affected him.
People deny magic affecting the Prophet ﷺ only because of the doctrine of ‘Ismah (Prophetic protection).
This implies that ordinary people can be affected — which is false.
The Quran says: Magic only deceives the eyes, not the mind directly.
In worldly matters, people use reason to avoid harm.
But in religious matters, people rely more on emotion and blind devotion.
This is dangerous, because:
The Hereafter is eternal
Avoiding eternal loss requires even more rational thinking
All claims of physical or financial harm through:
magic
rituals
amulets
incantations
- are false and baseless. These are satanic illusions meant to mislead humanity and drag them toward Hell.
In this world (دار الاسباب), nothing happens without adopting real, material means.
Harry Houdini rejected claims that he possessed supernatural powers, preferring to be called a "mysterious entertainer" Smithsonian Magazine. In 1922, after demonstrating slate writing to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Houdini told him: "I won't tell you how it was done, but I can assure you it was pure trickery. I did it by perfectly normal means. Now, I beg of you, Sir Arthur, do not jump to the conclusion that certain things you see are necessarily supernatural, or the work of spirits, just because you cannot explain them" Scientific American.
P.C. Sorcar (Protul Chandra Sorcar, 1913-1971) is credited with modernizing Indian magic and removing its associations with the occult and superstition.
When interviewed by journalist John A. Keel, Sorcar told him that the famous Indian Rope Trick was impossible Finch Magician—demonstrating his commitment to honest stagecraft rather than supernatural claims.
P.C. Sorcar Jr's Statement (His Son): PC Sorcar Jr once said, "Magic is science" Wikipedia - carrying forward his father's legacy of presenting magic as an art based on science, not supernatural power.
James Randi devoted decades to investigating and debunking paranormal and pseudoscientific claims Finch Magician. He performed magic stunts but spent his career debunking those who claimed to be supernatural Alan Hudson. Randi insisted that magic is based solely on earthly sleight of hand and visual trickery, and scorned fellow magicians who allowed audiences to believe their work was rooted in extrasensory or paranormal powers Quora. He offered a $1 million prize to anyone who could prove supernatural abilities—no one ever claimed it.
Whether:
Black magic or white magic
Lower (سفلی) or higher (علوی)
Religious or sorcerous
Quranic or non-Quranic amulets
- all are based on the same false belief: That these things can produce hidden, supernatural effects without material causes.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every kind of amulet is shirk.” (Abu Dawood)
This includes:
Ayat-ul-Kursi amulets
Quranic verses used as charms
Anything That Weakens the Bond Between a believer and his Lord Is False and Misleading as it replaces direct reliance on Allah, even if it’s:
A blown recitation of Surah Al-Falaq or An-Nas
A ritual using Quranic words
No Magical Object Has Ever Provided Real Protection
To this day, no one has discovered:
A charm
A ritual
A ring
A thread
An amulet
A spell
- that can:
Protect life or property without material means
Fill a stomach without food
Guard a house or bank without physical security
Any kind of magic cannot burn banknotes or cloth in mills
Even master magicians don’t perform shows without tickets
They treat their illnesses with doctors, not magic
No one opens locks with:
Magic
Ayat-ul-Kursi
Amulets
Incantations
Throughout history:
No magician ever became a king through magic
No practitioner of rituals ever became a president
No one ever won an election through magic
No magician has ever created money, manufactured products, or any tangible goods without material causes.
Satan spreads false beliefs that something other than Allah can:
Provide
Protect
Solve problems
Fulfill needs
This contradicts the Quranic truth that Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Helper — without partners.
Allah says: Those who accept Him as their Lord and strive to remain firm will be free from fear and grief. (Surah Al-Ahqaf: 13)
Thieves and robbers harm life and property.
But those who:
Promote shrine-based blessings (seeking blessings from shrines, graves, relics, or saints - Sufi tradition)
Sell charms and rings
Perform rituals and incantations
Open fortunes and summon spirits
- are pushing people into eternal loss.
And eternal loss is Satan’s goal.
Every worldly loss can be recovered
Death itself ends worldly suffering
But eternal loss cannot be repaired
The Quran
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
The ways of the Prophet’s companions (RA)
-May Allah grant us the ability to reform our beliefs and actions in the light of the Quran - Ameen.