Is it considered forbidden and a sin to go to a mosque imam who claims to remove sorcery and to follow what he says, knowing that he does not remove sorcery? And what is the ruling on that?

The one who dispels magic from the bewitched person does so in two ways: First, by using lawful ruqyah (incantations), prophetic supplications for protection, and permissible remedies. This is permissible and recommended. Second, by treating magic with the actions of sorcerers, which involves drawing near to jinn through sacrifice or other means. This is not permissible and is considered major shirk (polytheism). Similarly, it is not permissible to treat it by consulting diviners, soothsayers, and charlatans, or by using what they say.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against consulting them and believing them, saying: "(Whoever comes to a diviner and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights)." And he said: "(Whoever comes to a soothsayer or diviner and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him)."

When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about an-Nushrah (a form of counter-magic), he said: "(It is from the work of Shaytan)."

An-Nushrah is of two types: solving magic with similar magic, which is from the work of Shaytan; and the second type: an-Nushrah by ruqyah, supplications for protection, prayers, and permissible remedies, which is permissible, rather, it is recommended.

Therefore, if the Imam resolves magic by unlawful means, going to him is a sin and may even be disbelief, and whoever does so must repent. However, if he treats with the Qur’an and prophetic supplications, there is no harm in going to him.