What is Magic in Islam? What Islam Says About Magic

In the Islamic worldview, magic, known as Sihr in Arabic, is not a subject of fantasy or entertainment but a stark and dangerous reality with profound theological implications. It is fundamentally defined as an act of disbelief (Kufr) that involves seeking the assistance of devils (Shayateen) to produce effects that are extraordinary and harmful, typically to exert control over people, objects, or events in a way that contravenes the natural order (Sunnah) established by Allah. Unlike a simple illusion or sleight of hand, which Islam acknowledges as a skill, Sihr is a real phenomenon with real-world consequences, achieved through rituals, incantations, and acts of blasphemy that appease and ally with jinn.

The core reason magic is considered one of the gravest sins in Islam is its direct assault on the principle of Tawheed (Monotheism). Tawheed is the absolute belief in the Oneness of Allah, affirming that He alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and the only source of benefit and harm. When a person engages in magic, they are effectively turning away from Allah and seeking help from created beings—the devils—who possess certain abilities beyond human perception. This act of seeking intermediaries other than Allah for that which only Allah can provide constitutes Shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the only unforgivable sin if one dies upon it.

Islam’s stance on magic is not ambiguous. It is a reality, not illusion, that corrupts the heart and distances one from their Creator. The Quran narrates the story of the magicians of Pharaoh who confronted Prophet Musa (Moses). Initially, they used their magic, but upon witnessing the undeniable miracle from Allah, they immediately prostrated in belief, acknowledging the Lordship of the “Lord of Musa and Harun.” This story highlights the distinction between magic, which is a learned skill, and miracles (Mujizat), which are divine interventions granted by Allah to His prophets to affirm their truthfulness. Magic corrupts the spiritual heart by replacing reliance on the Almighty with reliance on malevolent, unseen forces. It creates a false sense of power in the practitioner and the client, leading them both towards spiritual ruin and divine displeasure. The ultimate end for those who persist in magic without repentance is the punishment of the Hellfire, as the Quran makes clear. It is a form of oppression that disrupts the natural order and severs the sacred connection between a servant and their Lord, leading towards eternal punishment. In essence, Islam defines magic as a hidden enemy to faith, a poison that erodes spiritual purity.

Verses About Magic from Quran with English Urdu Translation

The Quran, being the ultimate source of guidance, addresses the issue of magic directly and in no uncertain terms. Several verses elucidate its nature, origin, and the severe warning for those who engage with it. Presenting these verses with their translations allows for a deeper understanding of the divine text’s perspective.

1. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:102): The Origin of Magic
   • English: “And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone without saying, ‘We are but a trial, so do not disbelieve.’ And 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 learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they certainly knew that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if only they knew.”
   • Urdu: “Aur woh uss cheez ke peechay parhay jo sheyateen ne Sulaiman ki badshaahat mein sunayi thi. Sulaiman ne kufr nahi kiya magar sheyateen ne kufr kiya, logon ko jaadu sikha kar aur woh cheez jo do farishton Harut aur Marut par Babul mein nazil ki gayi thi. Magar woh do farishtay kisi ko nahi sikhate thay yeh kehne se pehlay ke ‘hum to sirf fitnay hain, lihaza tu kufr na kar.’ Phir bhi log unsey woh cheez seekhtay thay jissey mard aur uss ki biwi ke darmiyan phoot daal dein. Magar woh Allah ke izaz ke bagair kisi ko nuqsaan nahi pohancha saktay thay. Aur log woh cheez seekhtay thay jo unke liye nuqsaan deh thi aur koi faiyda nahi rakhti thi. Aur yaqeenan woh jaantay thay ke issey kharidnay waaley ka aakhirat mein koi hissa nahi. Aur bahut bura hai woh mol jis par unhone apne aap ko bech diya, kaash woh jaantay.”
   This is the most comprehensive verse on magic. It clarifies that magic is a knowledge taught by devils, not something divine. It also highlights a critical point: magic can only occur by the permission of Allah as a test for humanity. The verse explicitly states the primary worldly harm of magic—causing separation between spouses—and the ultimate spiritual harm: the loss of one’s share in the Hereafter.
2. Surah Yunus (10:81): The Inevitable Failure of Magic
   • English: “So when they had thrown, Moses said, ‘What you have brought is magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.'”Urdu: “Pas jab unhon ne (apni rassiyan aur asa) phenki, Moosa ne kaha ‘jo kuch tum laye ho woh jaadu hai. Yaqeenan Allah usey baatil kardega. Yaqeenan Allah mufsidoon ke kaam ko theek nahi karta.'”
   This verse, revealed in the context of Prophet Musa confronting the magicians of Pharaoh, establishes a fundamental principle: no matter how powerful magic may appear, it is inherently false and will ultimately be rendered worthless by the truth and will of Allah. It is a temporary illusion destined for failure.
3. Surah Taha (20:69): The Truth Prevails
   • English: “Throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is only the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is.”
   • Urdu: “Tou jo tere daahin haath mein hai usey phenk de, woh inke banaye huey jaadu ko nigal jayega. Inhon ne to bas ek jaadugar ki chaal chal hai aur jaadugar jahan bhi jaaye hargiz kamiyaab nahi ho sakta.”
   This verse reinforces the power of divine miracles over human or jinn-assisted trickery. The statement that “the magician will not succeed wherever he is” is a profound, universal declaration. His success is illusory; his ultimate failure in the sight of Allah is guaranteed.
4. Surah Al-Falaq (113:4): Seeking Refuge from Magic
   • English: “And from the evil of the blowers in knots.”
   • Urdu: “Aur girahon mein phonkne waaliyon ke shar se.”
   This verse from a short chapter recited daily by Muslims for protection specifically mentions a known form of magic: the practice of blowing on knots while casting spells. It instructs believers to seek refuge in Allah from this specific evil, acknowledging its reality and providing a direct spiritual antidote.
5. Surah Al-A’raf (7:117-119): The Ultimate Outcome
   • English: “And We inspired to Moses, ‘Throw your staff,’ and at once it devoured what they were falsifying. So the truth was established, and abolished was what they were doing. And they were overcome there and turned back, humiliated.”
   • Urdu: “Aur hum ne Moosa par wahee ki ke ‘apni chhari phenk do’, achanak woh unke jhootey jaadu ko khaney laggi. Pas haqq jaaari hua aur unka kiya dhara kiya bigad gaya. Aur woh wahan maare gaye aur zaleel ho kar palat gaye.”
   This passage describes the climax of the confrontation, where the truth of Prophet Musa’s miracle from Allah completely overpowers the magic of the court magicians. It serves as an eternal metaphor: the divine truth will always prevail over falsehood and deception, no matter how formidable it may seem.

Hadith About Magic. How We Get Rid of Magic

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided clear guidance and warnings about magic through his teachings and actions, known as the Hadith. These narrations not only confirm the Quranic rulings but also offer practical steps for protection and cure.

1. The Severity of Magic:
   • Hadith: The Prophet said, “Avoid the seven destructive sins: associating partners with Allah, magic, killing a soul, consuming usury, consuming an orphan’s wealth, desertion from battle, and slandering chaste women.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
   • Ridding Magic: This hadith provides the foundational step in dealing with magic: complete avoidance. By classifying it among the seven most destructive major sins, right after Shirk, the Prophet (PBUH) establishes a powerful psychological and spiritual barrier for the believer. The first step to getting rid of magic is to recognize its extreme severity and to steer one’s heart and actions completely clear of it, fearing it as one fears murder or usury.
2. Divine Protection Through Recitation:
   • Hadith: “Whoever recites the ‘Verse of the Throne’ (Ayat-ul-Kursi) at night, will have a protector from Allah, and no devil will come near him until morning.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
   • Ridding Magic: Since magic operates through the agency of devils, creating a spiritual shield is paramount. Reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi, a verse that powerfully affirms Allah’s sovereignty, knowledge, and eternal power, acts as a divine barrier. Consistently reciting it, especially before sleeping and after prayers, creates a protected spiritual environment, making it difficult for the influences of magic and devils to penetrate.
3. Acknowledging Harmful Influences:
   • Hadith: “The evil eye is real. If anything were to precede the divine decree, it would be the evil eye.” (Sahih Muslim)
   • Ridding Magic: This hadith, while specifically about the evil eye (al-Ayn), acknowledges the reality of harmful spiritual influences that can be channeled intentionally or unintentionally. This understanding is crucial because it validates the experiences of those who are afflicted and directs them towards the Islamic cure, rather than dismissing their suffering. It prompts believers to seek protection through specific prayers (Ruqyah) and constant remembrance of Allah (Dhikr).
4. The Prescribed Cure: Ruqyah:
   • Hadith: “The best remedy for magic is Ruqyah as mentioned in the Quran and the authentic Sunnah, using the words of Allah to seek a cure.” (Paraphrased from various authentic narrations)
   • Ridding Magic: This is the primary and most effective method to cure someone afflicted by magic. Ruqyah refers to the Islamic practice of treating diseases and spiritual afflictions through the recitation of the Quran, specific supplications from the Sunnah, and remembrance of Allah. It involves blowing gently over the afflicted person or water that they will drink or use for ablution. Key chapters used are Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat-ul-Kursi, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas. It is essential that Ruqyah is performed with sincere belief in Allah alone as the Healer, using only His words and the Prophet’s teachings, without any shirkic incantations.
5. Proactive Spiritual Defense:
   • Hadith: “Seek refuge in Allah from the jinn and from the evil eye of humans, for their envy can bring about real harm and misfortune.” (Authenticated by various scholars)
   • Ridding Magic: Prevention is better than cure. The Prophet (PBUH) taught specific daily supplications (Adhkar) for protection. Reciting the “Mu’awwidhat” (the last three chapters of the Quran) every morning and evening, saying “Bismillah” before any action, and performing the five daily prayers diligently fortify a Muslim’s spiritual defenses. This proactive approach teaches believers to constantly seek Allah’s refuge, guarding themselves from the very sources of magic, which are the jinn and the envious glances of humans.

Magic is Halal in Islam?

The permissibility of magic in Islam is a matter with zero ambiguity. The collective evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah leads all mainstream Islamic scholars to a single, definitive conclusion: Magic is absolutely and unequivocally forbidden (Haram). It is not merely discouraged; it is considered a major sin that can constitute an act of disbelief (Kufr).

1. A Clear-Cut Prohibition: The Quranic verses, particularly 2:102, explicitly condemn the practice and learning of magic. Associating it with the actions of devils and stating that its practitioners have “no share in the Hereafter” leaves no room for permissibility. A thing that leads to the loss of one’s eternal success cannot be considered lawful.
2. The Means Determine the Ruling: The primary reason for its prohibition lies in its means. Magic, as defined by Islam, cannot be performed without forming an alliance with the devils. This alliance requires acts of disbelief, such as uttering blasphemous words, making offerings to the jinn, or performing rituals that show reverence to other than Allah. Since the means are unlawful, the end product—the magic itself—is also unlawful.
3. No Distinction Between ‘White’ and ‘Black’ Magic: From an Islamic standpoint, the modern distinction between “white magic” (for good purposes) and “black magic” (for harm) is invalid. Any act that involves seeking the help of devils to alter reality is Sihr and is forbidden. The intention to do good does not justify the use of a fundamentally corrupt and disbelief-ridden method. The ends do not justify the means in Islamic law.
4. A Matter of Creed (Aqeedah): Believing that magic is permissible, or that it can independently bring benefit or harm without the will of Allah, is a deviation from core Islamic creed. It places power in the hands of created beings and contradicts the verse, “And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He” (Quran 6:17). Therefore, not only is the act forbidden, but holding the belief in its permissibility is also a serious error.
5. The Only Permissible ‘Magic’: It is important to distinguish between magic (Sihr) and miracles (Mujizat) or divine blessings (Barakah). The only permissible “magic” is the divine miracle of the Quran itself, which Allah describes as a “clear proof.” Furthermore, the use of the Quran and authentic supplications for healing (Ruqyah Shar’iyyah) is the lawful alternative. This is not magic; it is a form of medicine that relies solely on Allah. In conclusion, magic is unequivocally Haram; it is a path that leads away from Allah’s mercy and towards His wrath, and a Muslim must strictly avoid it in all its forms and manifestations.

Quotes About Magic

1. Magic is the art of trading your eternal soul for a fleeting moment of illusion, a bargain where you are always the one who loses everything in the end. This quote encapsulates the core deception of magic. It promises power and control but at the ultimate price: one’s spiritual well-being and fate in the Hereafter. The momentary gain is nothing compared to the eternal loss.
2. True magic is not found in spells and potions, but in the quiet miracle of a sincere prayer answered and the divine decree unfolding perfectly. This redefines “magic” from an Islamic lens, redirecting wonder towards the real miracles of life: the acceptance of a supplication, the timing of events only Allah could orchestrate, and the peace that descends upon a believing heart.
3. The greatest trick magic ever pulled was convincing the world it held power, while true power rests solely with the Creator of all that exists. This quote highlights the grand deception. The illusion isn’t just in the tricks performed, but in the very premise that magic is a source of power. It distracts from the only true source of all power and agency—Allah.
4. Magic whispers promises of control over destiny, but it only delivers the chains of servitude to the very devils who deceive the heart. This speaks to the false promise of autonomy. In seeking to control destiny through magic, a person ironically becomes a slave to the whims and commands of the devils, losing their true freedom as a servant of Allah.
5. In the battle between light and darkness, magic is the weapon of the defeated devils, a feeble attempt to mimic the true creation of Allah. This frames magic within the cosmic struggle. It is not a neutral force but a weapon in the arsenal of the forces of darkness, a pathetic imitation of the genuine creative power that belongs to Allah alone.

Magic Quotes About Life

1. The real magic in life is not controlling your path, but trusting the One who designed the map for your ultimate success and eternal home. This quote challenges the modern obsession with controlling one’s destiny. It suggests that true empowerment and wonder come from Tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and surrendering to His perfect plan, which leads to success in both worlds.
2. Life’s most enchanting moments are not conjured by spells, but are the natural blessings and tests lovingly sent down from the heavens above. It redirects the sense of wonder towards everyday miracles: the birth of a child, the falling of rain, the comfort of a hardship eased. These are the real enchantments, directly from Allah’s mercy.
3. Do not seek magic to change your life; seek the strength from Allah to navigate its tests, for that is the truest form of empowerment. This offers a practical alternative. Instead of seeking a supernatural shortcut, a believer is encouraged to seek inner strength through faith and patience, which is a more durable and honorable form of power.
4. The most powerful life-changing spell is the sincere declaration of faith, transforming a soul from darkness to light in a single moment. The Shahada (“There is no god but Allah”) is presented as the ultimate transformative act. Its effect on the soul’s spiritual state is more profound and real than any alleged change brought by magic.
5. Life is a fleeting dream; do not waste it chasing the illusions of magic, but invest it in building your eternal palace in Paradise. This provides a perspective of scale. Given the brevity of life, engaging with magic is a catastrophic waste of time and spirit. The wise investment is in deeds that yield eternal, not illusory, rewards.

Magic Love Quotes

1. A love built on magic is a fragile illusion, a bond forged by devils that will shatter, leaving only bitterness and regret in its wake. This warns against using magic to attract or keep a partner. Such a relationship is not based on genuine affection or divine blessing but on manipulation and evil, ensuring its eventual and painful collapse.
2. The only halal magic for love is the sincere prayer to Allah, the One who can truly soften hearts and join them in pure devotion. This provides the lawful alternative: Dua (supplication). Turning to the One who controls all hearts is the only legitimate and effective way to seek love and harmony in a relationship.
3. Beware the magic of love spells, for they create not love but obsession, a prison for the heart that destroys free will and faith. It distinguishes between love and obsession. Magic cannot create genuine love; it can only create an unnatural, compulsive attachment that violates the other person’s free will and corrupts the faith of both individuals.
4. True love’s magic is in the lawful marriage bond, blessed by Allah, where two hearts find peace and tranquility under His divine watch. This redefines the “magic” of love, locating it within the sacred institution of Nikah (marriage). The real enchantment is the Sakinah (tranquility) and mercy that Allah places between spouses.
5. If you desire to captivate a heart, do not use magic; use good character, kindness, and faith, for these are the true magnets for love. This offers a practical, worldly solution. The most attractive qualities are those praised by the Prophet (PBUH): good character, piety, and kindness. These are the means to win a heart in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

Magic Card Quotes

1. Like a magician’s card trick, the life of this world is a dazzling illusion that distracts from the ultimate reality of the Hereafter. This uses the card trick as a metaphor for Dunya (worldly life). Just as a spectator is fooled by the magician’s sleight of hand, people can be fooled by the charms of this world, forgetting the true and everlasting life to come.
2. Do not gamble your faith on the deceptive shuffle of magic cards; your soul is too precious to bet on a game rigged by devils. This equates engaging with magic to a high-stakes gamble where the deck is stacked against you. The stake—one’s faith and soul—is of infinite value and should never be risked for a deceptive game.
3. The Joker in the deck represents the devil in magic, a wildcard of deception that ruins the game of life for those who play with it. This draws an analogy between the unpredictable and often disruptive Joker in a card game and the role of the devil in magic. He introduces chaos and deception, ensuring that whoever involves him in their “game” of life will lose.
4. A magic card trick relies on misdirection, just as sin distracts you from the consequences, a sleight of hand leading to eternal loss. This highlights the mechanism of both a card trick and sin. The magician directs your attention away from the secret move, just as Satan makes the pleasures of sin captivating to distract from its severe and eternal consequences.
5. Your life is not a card to be played with magic; it is a trust from Allah, to be lived according to His divine and perfect command. This provides the final, powerful reframing. A human life is an Amanah (trust) from Allah. It is sacred and must not be treated as a plaything or a card to be used in the dangerous game of magic, but must be lived in obedient service to its Creator.

Conclusion:

The Quran and the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) leave no room for ambiguity: engaging in, learning, or seeking out magic is strictly forbidden (Haram). This prohibition encompasses all forms of magic, rendering the distinction between “white” and “black” magic irrelevant in the Islamic legal and theological framework. The verses of the Quran explicitly detail its origins, condemn its practice, and warn of its severe consequences in the Hereafter, while the Hadith provide clear guidance on its spiritual dangers and the practical means for protection and cure.

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