What is the ruling on praying behind a sorcerer?
Some scholars have gone as far as to consider anyone who learns magic to be an absolute disbeliever (kafir), while others believe that such a person does not disbelieve if they learn it for protection.
Imam Shafi'i said: "Whoever learns magic and describes something that necessitates disbelief, such as the belief of the people of Babylon that the seven planets perform what is sought from them, then he is a disbeliever. If it does not necessitate disbelief, yet he believes in its permissibility, then he is a disbeliever."
Some scholars permitted learning magic for two reasons: 1. To distinguish what involves disbelief from what does not: There is no harm in this if one's belief remains sound. 2. To remove its effects from someone afflicted by it: If this cannot be achieved except through a form of disbelief or فسق (transgression), then it is not permissible. Otherwise, it is permissible.
Accordingly, it is not permissible to pray behind a sorcerer if their magic necessitates disbelief. It is permissible in other cases, but it is disliked to pray behind them due to the presence of doubt and the consensus of scholars on its dislikeability.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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