On Sorcery (As-Sihr)
Allah the Most Exalted said:
“And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter.” (2: 102)
Allah the Almighty said:
“They believe in Al-Jibt and At-Taghut (all false deities).” (4: 51)
Umar (R.A.) is reported to have said that Al-Jibt is magic (sorcery) while At-Taghut is Ash-Shaitan.
Jabir (R.A.) is reported to have said that At-Taghut are soothsayers upon whom the devil alights and every tribe has one.
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) is reported to have heard the Prophet (SAW) saying:
“Save yourself from the seven destroyers.” The Companions (R.A.) asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what are those? He (SAW) said, “To associate anything with Allah, sorcery (magic), without any just cause killing a life Allah has forbidden, taking interest (usury), usurping the wealth of orphans, turning back from the battlefield, and making a false charge (accusation) against the chaste but unmindful women (i.e., they never even think of anything touching chastity).” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Jundub (R.A.) narrated the following Marfu ‘Hadith, which At-Tirmidhi reported:
“The punishment for the sorcerers/magicians is that he be struck with the sword (executed).”
In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Bajalah bin ‘Abadah (R.A.) narrated:
“ ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (R.A.) wrote: Execute every sorcerer or sorceress.” So Bajalah continued: “We executed three sorcerers.”
Hafsah (R.A.) is reported to have ordered an execution of a slave woman who practiced magic/sorcery on her and she was executed. Such an event has also been reported through Jundub (R.A.).
According to Imam Ahmad (R.A.), execution of sorcerers (magicians) is testified by three Companions of the Prophet (SAW) (Umar, Hafsah, Jundub).
Important issues of the Chapter
1) Explanation of the verse in Al-Baqarah (2: 102)
2) Explanation of the verse in An-Nisa (4: 51)
3) Meaning of Al-Jibt and At-Taghut and the difference between the two.
4) At-Taghut could be among jinns or humans.
5) Details of seven grave destroyers which are strictly forbidden.
6) Sorcerers or magicians are disbelievers (Kafir).
7) That the sorcerers/magicians should be executed and no repentance is accepted.
8) Sorcerers were found among the Muslims during the period of Umar (R.A.). So how about thereafter? [1]
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[1] Meaning, they surely increased in later times.