Al-Sihr (Magic) — The Prohibition
Magic is prohibited in the Quran through 2:102, which describes Harut and Marut (two angels) who taught people sihr but warned: “We are only a trial — so do not disbelieve.” The verse frame: learning sihr is an act of disbelief (kufr).
Categories in fiqh:
- Teaching, learning, and practicing magic: prohibited (major sin, possibly kufr)
- Seeking a magician’s services: prohibited
- Believing magic can harm without Allah’s permission: theological error — magic can only harm “by Allah’s permission” (2:102)
The Harut-Marut narrative: These two angels (or angelic-appearing beings) were a divine test in Babylon — they would teach whoever came to them but first warn: “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.” Many disbelieved despite the warning and learned how to separate spouses (yufrriquna bihi bayna al-mar’ wa-zawjihi) — the surah’s example of magic’s effects.
Al-‘Ayn (Evil Eye) — Reality and Protection
The Prophet confirmed the evil eye as real: “It is real; it would overtake fate if anything could.” (Muslim) The mechanism: concentrated attention — especially envious admiration — can harm its object. This is not superstition but a recognized Islamic reality.
Protection:
- Saying Masha’Allah when seeing something admirable: attributes the blessing to Allah, disperses the harmful concentration
- Ruqya: Recitation of al-Fatiha, al-Falaq, al-Nas, Ayat al-Kursi over the affected person
- The “seven Quls”: Specific Quranic chapters for protection
- Seeking refuge: A’udhu bi-kalimat Allah al-tammah min sharri ma khalaq
The Islamic position: neither magic nor the evil eye operates independently of divine permission. Their recognition does not attribute independent power to them — only Allah has power. The harm they may cause is within Allah’s decree, and the protection is sought from Allah.
See also: Hasad, Akhlaq, Tazkiyah, Fiqh Overview, Tawhid Divine Unity, Adhkar, Asma Al Husna