What is the ruling on going to someone who claims to know the unseen or to undo magic by reciting the Quran, and what is the view on believing in the existence of magical acts that cause quarrels, illnesses, delayed growth in children, and broken engagements, and is it permissible to believe that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and Lady Aisha were bewitched?

Sorcery is a reality confirmed by the Quran and Sunnah, and it has an effect on those afflicted by it, by Allah’s decree. Sorcery is treated with ruqyah shar'iyyah (Islamic incantation) from the Quran and adhkar (remembrances). It is preferable for a person to perform ruqyah on themselves or to seek it from an upright, pious, and righteous person. Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and other surahs from the Quran as ruqyah shar'iyyah is permissible, but specifying a certain number of recitations or making it a means to identify the perpetrator of sorcery is not permissible. The identity of the sorcerer is not known except through confession or definitive proof, and there is no benefit in knowing it for treatment. Cupping (hijama) was encouraged by the Prophet, peace be upon him, but it is neither a ruqyah nor a cure for sorcery, and it is not permissible for a man to cup a woman or vice-versa. One must not deal with a raqi (exorcist) who practices non-Sharia-compliant ruqyah, and should seek a raqi who treats with ruqyah shar'iyyah.