Rana Rais Khan tells the story of Sulaiman (as) to illustrate the origins and harms of magic
As a child I remember reading Enid Blyton’s books that centered greatly around magic and enchantments of the like. No one ever discouraged me to read them, as they might ruin my beliefs. In fact, such books were greatly encouraged by parents and teachers to enhance reading and imaginative skills among children. May be because the trials of magic were not so rampant as they are now. Today’s teenagers face the same predicament with Harry Potter series. Before we decide, how far we can go with magic, it is important to understand, why it has been forbidden by Allah (swt)?
Allah (swt) had bestowed upon Sulaiman (as) the ability to control Jinnat. He used to demand tough work from them, such as construction of palaces, etc. In order to defame Sulaiman (as), Bani Israel spread propaganda that he possessed magical powers, in lieu of which Sulaiman (as) was able to command over all Jinnat. On the contrary, Sulaiman (as) confiscated and buried all literature available on magic to ensure no evil was perpetuated.
Allah (swt) defended His Prophet (sa) beautifully by declaring that Sulaiman (as) never committed Kufr (disbelief) by resorting to magic. However, the devils did. As a trial, Allah (swt) sent two angels skilled in magic to Babylon in Kufa. Bani Israel would approach these angels to learn magic from them. When the angels warned them that this was a trial from Allah (swt) and that they should not delve in it, Bani Israel would ignore it and follow their satanic desires, learning magic and practicing it, too. These devils practiced the worst form of magic – causing rifts between husband and wife, thus, breaking up homes.
Historically, before Allah (swt) created Adam (as), Jinnat were this world’s inhabitants. When Allah (swt) decided to send mankind to the world, He ordered His angels to drive the Jinnat away towards the seas and islands. Now they hold their court and meet on the waters. On the authority of Jabir (rta), the Prophet (sa) has narrated: “Iblis holds his throne on water and then sends his armies in all directions. Among all the Jinnat, Iblis considers those to be his dearest, who are capable of committing the worst sin. When the Jinnat present their report of mischievous performances, Iblis is not impressed by their job, until one of his subjects comes to declare: ‘I did not leave a man alone, till I caused separation between him and his wife.’ Thrilled, Iblis comes forward and hugs his subject praising him: ‘You are very nice.'” This may also apply to any fight between two relatives, friends, etc.
Allah (swt) states: “They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman. Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said: ‘We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).’ And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s (swt) Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah (swt), far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!” (Al-Baqarah 2:102-103)
When I discovered that the marketing campaign of Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix, J K Rowling’s fifth book was worth 4 million dollars, it saddened me to learn how far we can go to earn Allah’s (swt) displeasure. The western world has created an innocent outlook of magic tying it to fun, imagination, and sensation. But that is just a bluff. Even in our country Amils, black magicians, soothsayers, spiritual healers, etc., go scot-free after perpetuating such heinous crimes as driving people to self-injury, depression, domestic violence, and suicide. Instead, they are mushrooming in every city and town. The ignorant masses prefer to visit them for the fulfillment of their desires, instead of praying earnestly to Allah (swt). Little do they know what kind of sickening and evil practices these magicians delve into for gaining control over equally evil Jinnat.
Rest assured – magic does exist and only occurs by Allah’s (swt) leave. Allah (swt) deviates the rebels, who wish to befriend Shaitan, even further on to the road of Kufr, so they will be punished mercilessly on the Day of Judgment. It is considered to be a grave sin to indulge in it even for the sake of fun, since Shaitan is always prepared to deviate the innocent. As the saying goes: “Don’t give the devil a ride, for he will want to drive.”
Innocent fun is a guise for devious intentions. Just reading a book on magic or watching a movie may appear totally harmless, but it opens doors to many inter-related sins, such as superstitions, belief in the supernatural, astrology, numerology, palmistry, fortune telling, etc. Eventually, the devil succeeds in diluting our beliefs in Allah (swt), the All-Encompassing, and unconsciously we ascribe partners to Him by falling for omens and amulets, engaging in star-gazing and saint or grave worshipping. We must know that Shirk is a major sin that Allah (swt) will not forgive. May Allah (swt) protect us all from falsehood. Ameen.
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