Does the use of a copper rod and the science of "Qanqanah" to detect sorcery fall under divination, soothsaying, and charlatanry, or is it a permissible science from which people benefit in healing with the Quran and Sunnah, similar to what Sheikh Ibn Baz mentioned regarding the indication of water?
Originally, "Qanqanah" refers to the knowledge of the presence of water underground, and "Qanaqin" is the one who possesses this insight. More recently, "Qanqanah" has come to be used in other fields, such as sensing the electromagnetic field of water or minerals underground, employing tools like copper rods. As for using copper to detect magic, we have no knowledge of this, and it is feared that the movement of the rod might be a deceptive ploy from Satan, because the fundamental way to identify magic and possession is through specific symptoms. The advice is to abandon this practice and instead fortify oneself with adhkar (remembrances of Allah) and ruqyah shar'iyyah (Islamic exorcism) when symptoms occur.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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