by Maulana Fazal Muhammad Yousafzai
والسحر ( ۱ ) كل مالطف مأخذه ودق فهو سحر (۲) اخراج الباطل في صورة الحق (۳) ما يفعل الانسان من الحيل
To understand magic (sihr), it is essential to discuss certain extraordinary occurrences. These extraordinary phenomena can be categorized into seven types.
- Irhasat (ارهاصات): These are extraordinary events that occur as a prelude to the Prophethood of a prophet, serving as an announcement of the coming of the prophet. For example, prior to the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), stones and trees would offer salutations to him, clouds would provide shade for him, and revolutionary events occurred in the human world at the time of his birth. All these were examples of Irhasat.
- Miracles (معجزات): These are extraordinary events that manifest at the hands of a prophet to confirm the truth of their claim to Prophethood and to render opponents powerless. For instance, the splitting of the moon into two halves at the hands of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the gushing of water from his fingers are examples of such miracles. All these are considered miracles.
- Karamat (کرامات): These are extraordinary events that manifest at the hands of a pious and devout believer as a mark of honor and respect for them. While a prophet is aware of their miracle and intends for it to happen, it is not necessary for a saint (wali) to have prior knowledge or intention regarding their karamat.
- Ma’unat (معونات): These are extraordinary events that occur to assist and support a Muslim in times of need or difficulty. Examples include food appearing in front of someone during a time of extreme necessity, walking on water, or flying through the air. All these are forms of divine help and assistance.
- Istidraj (استدراج): These are extraordinary events that manifest at the hands of a disbeliever or a sinful, immoral person in accordance with their desires. For example, the strange feats and manipulations mentioned in relation to the Dajjal (the Antichrist) or the miraculous-like occurrences attributed to Aswad Ansi, the false claimant of Prophethood. All these are considered Istidraj.
- Ihanat (اهانات): These are extraordinary events that manifest at the hands of a disbeliever but contrary to their intention or purpose. For example, Musaylimah the Liar (Musalimah al-Kadhdhab) once placed his hand on the eye of a one-eyed person to heal it, but instead, the healthy eye also went blind. Similarly, when he threw leftover water from his ablution onto a garden to bring blessings, all the trees in the garden withered. He spat into a well to increase its water, but the well dried up completely. In another instance, he placed his hand on a child’s head, and the child lost their mental faculties. All such incidents are examples of Ihanat.
- Sihr (Magic and Sorcery) (سحر): There is a difference of opinion regarding its reality. According to the Mu‘tazilah, sihr has no actual existence; it is merely an illusion, imagination, or perception, and its effects are also considered a part of this illusion. However, according to the majority of Ahl al-Sunnah (mainstream Sunni scholars), sihr is a real phenomenon. It is something that has an objective existence and can cause specific conditions or effects to manifest on a person.
The Ruling on Magic and Magicians
There is a difference of opinion among Islamic jurists regarding the ruling on magic and magicians. According to Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), a magician is outright a disbeliever (kafir), and it is obligatory to execute them. Learning or teaching magic is also considered disbelief (kufr) and is strictly prohibited (haram).
My teacher, Hazrat Mawlana Fazl Muhammad Swati (may Allah have mercy on him), provided a comprehensive explanation on this matter:
- Magic that is based on the denial of essential tenets of the religion is undoubtedly disbelief, and there is no difference of opinion on this.
- Magic that involves shirk (polytheistic words or acts) is considered shirk.
- If magic contradicts righteous deeds, it is a major sin (kabirah).
- However, if there is no wrongdoing involved in magic and it is used for a valid and constructive purpose, such as reconciling between spouses, then such magic is permissible (mubah).
- (The explanation adds that such “permissible” magic is as though it has become “Muslim,” but practically, such righteous magic is almost non-existent in the world.)
Taken from “Tuhfatul Mun’im Sharh Sahih al Muslim” 1/460