Believing that sihr is mentioned in revelation does not make every personal claim true. Sound judgment distinguishes doctrine, observable facts, professional assessment and speculation.
Key takeaways
- General belief is not an individual diagnosis.
- No practitioner independently knows the unseen.
- Investigate ordinary causes and protect health.
What revelation establishes
The Qur’an mentions sihr, condemns harmful learning and teaches that harm occurs only by Allah’s permission. It also shows Allah making truth prevail over falsehood. These principles strengthen tawhid rather than fascination with techniques.
What symptoms cannot establish
Fatigue, nightmares, conflict, pain or poor concentration are nonspecific. They may deserve medical, psychological, relational or environmental assessment, but they cannot by themselves identify magic, its method or an alleged perpetrator.
A safer response
Use Qur’an, dua and lawful remembrance; document concrete events; consult qualified professionals; and reject diviners, secret symbols and accusations. This response protects both faith and people’s rights.
Ruqyah and remembrance may accompany appropriate medical or psychological care. Never stop prescribed treatment without the prescribing professional. Seek urgent help for severe or dangerous symptoms.
Verified references
The Arabic text of each verse or hadith appears first, followed by a concise explanation, directly on the page.
- Qur’anQur’an 2:102The Qur’anic account concerning magic
Arabic verse text
Qur’an 2:102وَٱتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُوا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَـٰرُوتَ وَمَـٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
Key teachingThe verse condemns harmful magic and states that no harm occurs outside Allah’s permission.
- Qur’anQur’an 10:81–82Allah nullifies falsehood
Arabic verse text
Qur’an 10:81–82فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحْرُ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُۥٓ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ وَيُحِقُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
Key teachingMoses declares that Allah will nullify magic and establish the truth.
- Qur’anQur’an 6:59The keys of the unseen belong to Allah
Arabic verse text
Qur’an 6:59وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ ۚ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
Key teachingThe verse assigns the keys and comprehensive knowledge of the unseen to Allah alone.
- HadithSahih Muslim 2230Warning against consulting diviners
Narrator: بعض أزواج النبي ﷺ
Arabic hadith text
Sahih Muslim 2230عَنْ بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَتَى عَرَّافًا فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً».
Key teachingThe hadith gives a severe warning against consulting diviners about hidden matters.