Sorcery

Some people have erroneously denied that sorcery could affect the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ they believed that it was not befitting his grade and status. Actually, being affected by sorcery illustrates the human side of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ, just like he suffered from various other illnesses, and sorcery is an ailment just like poison.

Sorcery is just like any other ailment that the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ suffered from, and this fact by no means affects his status as a Prophet ate. Further, the fact that the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ imagined something which he did not do, does not detract from his truthfulness regarding religion, there is a consensus that he is immune from error in this regard. Sorcery is just like any other matter of this life, which has nothing to do with the reason why he was sent and preferred above mankind. The Prophet was subject to come down with all types of ailments that would touch other people. Therefore, it is not surprising that he would imagine doing something which in fact he did not do, and that he was soon cured.”

The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. used two methods to treat sorcery, first by finding the spell and neutralizing it. The Prophet supplicated his Lord and Allah showed him that the evil spell was hidden in a well. The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ removed the evil spell, which consisted of a comb, combed material (hair), and a dry male spathe. When he discarded these objects, he was immediately cured, as if he was restrained and then suddenly released. This is the best cure from sorcery and is similar to removing septic materials by complete disgorging. The second type, extracting harmful substances from the organ most touched by magic works. Evil spells aggravate nature, produce harmful substances, and adversely affect mood. Disgorging the alien substance that affected a certain organ as a result of evil spells becomes necessary. The effect of the sorcery reached the Prophet’s صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ head and affected one of his senses, he imagined he done something while in fact, he had not. The sorcerer, therefore, affects some of the natural powers of the body so that it does not function normally. Sorcery is a combination of the powers of evil spirits and the adverse effects they have on the normal functions of the body. The worst type of magic is that which affects the senses of the affected organ. Drawing blood from the organ most affected by magic is the most beneficial cure if used in the proper manner available.”

Some people so said that when the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ suffered from this condition, he first thought that it was caused by spilling blood that reached the brain and affected the senses. In such cases, cupping is the best medicine, and this is what the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ did. Then, when Allah revealed to him that it was the effect of magic that caused his condition, he asked Allah to show him where the evil spell was hidden and then he retrieved and discarded it. When he did so, he was cured as if released after being restrained. Further, the magic spell only affected the Prophet’s صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ senses, not his sane or heart.

Divine cures are the best remedies against sorcery. Since sorcery is the work of evil spirits, then it is best to cure is that which neutralizes it, such as certain prayers and recitations of the Qur’an. The more powerful the defending army, the more powerful the adversary it will be able to remove and neutralize. This case is similar to two opposing armies, each of which carries its weapons and armaments. The army that has more weaponry and supplies, is the army that will prevail in the war. When the heart is full of Allah’s remembrance and invokes Him often for its needs, and when the heart is joined by the tongue and righteous deeds, these acts will be the best medicine there is against sorcery and magic spells.

The sorcerers and magicians admit that their magic is most effective against those who have weak hearts that are busy satisfying the desires and lusts of the life of this world. That is why magic usually affects women, children, nomads, ignorant people, those who have weak Faith, lack trust in Allah (Tawakkul) and lack the fundamentals of Unity (Tawheed), and those who neither remember Allah often nor use the various Prophetic supplications and Islamic prayer formulas (Ruqyah). In general, the effect of sorcery and magic is more powerful against weak hearts that lean towards the lower desires of this world. When the heart leans towards this earthly life, sorcery and magic become most effective against it, because evil spirits only search for evil in the soul that is prone to submit to their power. Surely, evil in the heart deprives one of divine power that is necessary to provide it with sufficient weapons of defense against these evil spirits. That is why this evil! spirits, which seek evil, find the hearts weakened by evil unarmed and prone to submit to evil and this is when sorcery and magic spells are most effective. Allah knows best.