Chapter Five (Spiritual Ailments )

Evidence of Magic and its Prohibition in the Quran

Allah says in the Glorious Quran: ”But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying’ we are only for trial; so do not blaspheme”’.

In his interpretation of the Quran, Ibn Kathir said” Adu Jaafar Al-Razi said that he heard Qais bin Abbad that Ibn Abbas said” If someone comes to the for magic they would say that we are only for trial, so do not blaspheme, for they know the good and the evil, believe and blasphemy. Thus they know that magic is blasphemy. He said: When he insists, they order him to come to a certain place where he finds the devil who teaches him upon which light leaves his body. He would see it shining in the sky so he says: ‘Alas, what have he done”’.

Al-Saddi said” If a man comes to them for magic, they advise him saying’ We are only for trial, so do not blaspheme’ but if he refuses they would say’ urinate on this sand’ and when he does, light comes out that shines until it reaches the sky, and this is faith. Then something black like smoke comes and enters through his ears and everything, and this is Allah’s anger. When he tells of these happenings, they teach him magic”.

Said narrated that Hajaj said, ”I heard Ibn Jarih says, ‘only a disbeliever dares a magician”’. Some scholars states that this verse indicates that he who learns magic is a disbeliever. They also use the saying of Abdullah as a proof for that where he states” He who comes to a priest or magician and believe what he says, he then disbelieves in what was revealed upon Mohamed (PGBUH) Sahih Al- Jami 5939. He also said ”Qatadah stated’ They do not teach anyone until they say we are only for trial, i.e. evil has befell on us so do not blaspheme”’. Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim 1/136-137.