Are all types of magic absolutely forbidden, or is there a permissible or obligatory type to resort to under certain circumstances? Is dealing with infidel jinn, Muslim jinn, and devils strictly prohibited, or are there permissible instances for that, and what are those permissible instances? Is that considered magic, and what is the stance of the imams on it? Are there circumstances and emergencies that ordinary people cannot resolve which permit dealing with infidel jinn, Muslim jinn, or devils? Does that involve a form of polytheism, and what is the opinion of the majority of imams on this? Is it true that there are matters and circumstances that necessitate dealing with jinn and the Qareen (companion jinn), where a person goes to someone some call a sorcerer or an exorcist to ask him to resolve the matter by communicating with their Qareen through the remembrance of God and their Qareen during eating? What is your opinion on the validity of this matter and the stance of the imams on it?
Sorcery is forbidden and is one of the gravest major sins and destructive acts. Many scholars consider its practitioner to be a disbeliever (kafir), based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Avoid the seven destructive sins... Associating partners with Allah (shirk), and sorcery..." and Allah Almighty's saying: "And they (the two angels) would not teach anyone until they had said, 'We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].'" and his (peace be upon him) saying: "He is not one of us who practices sorcery or has sorcery practiced for him." Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) was of the opinion that learning sorcery is disbelief and that its teacher is a disbeliever. Some believe that the punishment for a sorcerer is execution.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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