Is magic (Sihr) real in Islam?

Yes, according to the Quran and Sunnah, Sihr is a real phenomenon with real effects that occur only by Allah's permission. Islamic scholars like Ibn Kathir confirm its existence, citing Quran 2:102 and the story of Prophet Musa. However, its power is limited and ultimately subordinate to the will of Allah.

What is the ruling on practicing magic in Islam?

Practicing, learning, or seeking magic (Sihr) is strictly forbidden (haram) and constitutes an act of disbelief (kufr). The Quran (2:102) states the devils disbelieved by teaching people magic. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi affirm a universal consensus that it is one of the most severe major sins.

What is the difference between magic (Sihr) and a miracle (Mu'jizah)?

A miracle (Mu'jizah) is a supernatural act from Allah, granted to a prophet to prove their prophethood, which cannot be challenged or replicated. Magic (Sihr) is a deceptive art learned through satanic means and is limited in power. The story of Musa's staff swallowing the magicians' illusions demonstrates the absolute superiority of divine miracles over magic.

How can one get protection from magic in Islam?

Protection from Sihr is sought through complete reliance on Allah and specific practices from the Quran and Sunnah. This includes regular recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi (2:255), and the last two chapters (Al-Falaq, An-Nas), known as Al-Mu'awwidhatayn, along with maintaining daily prayers and supplications.

Magic (Sihr) in Islam: Quranic Condemnation & Prophetic Warnings

Magic

السحر

Explore Verses Related to Magic

🕌Al-Baqarah2:102 🕌Al-Baqarah2:103 🕌Al-Ma'idah5:110 🕋Al-An'am6:7 🕋Al-A'raf7:109 🕋Al-A'raf7:110 🕋Al-A'raf7:111 🕋Al-A'raf7:112 🕋Al-A'raf7:113 🕋Al-A'raf7:114 🕋Al-A'raf7:115 🕋Al-A'raf7:116 🕋Al-A'raf7:117 🕋Al-A'raf7:118 🕋Al-A'raf7:119 🕋Al-A'raf7:120 🕋Al-A'raf7:121 🕋Al-A'raf7:122 🕋Al-A'raf7:123 🕋Al-A'raf7:124 🕋Al-A'raf7:125 🕋Al-A'raf7:126 🕋Yunus10:2 🕋Yunus10:76 🕋Yunus10:77 🕋Yunus10:78 🕋Yunus10:79 🕋Yunus10:80 🕋Yunus10:81 🕋Hud11:7 🕋Taha20:57 🕋Taha20:58 🕋Taha20:59 🕋Taha20:60 🕋Taha20:61 🕋Taha20:62 🕋Taha20:63 🕋Taha20:64 🕋Taha20:65 🕋Taha20:66 🕋Taha20:67 🕋Taha20:68 🕋Taha20:69 🕋Taha20:70 🕋Taha20:71 🕋Taha20:72 🕋Taha20:73 🕋Al-Anbya21:3 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:34 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:35 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:36 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:37 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:38 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:39 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:40 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:41 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:42 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:43 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:44 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:45 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:46 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:47 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:48 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:49 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:50 🕋Ash-Shu'ara26:51 🕋An-Naml27:13 🕋Al-Qasas28:36 🕋Al-Qasas28:48 🕋Saba34:43 🕋As-Saffat37:15 🕋Sad38:4 🕋Ghafir40:23 🕋Ghafir40:24 🕋Az-Zukhruf43:30 🕋Az-Zukhruf43:49 🕋Al-Ahqaf46:7 🕋Adh-Dhariyat51:39 🕋Adh-Dhariyat51:52 🕋At-Tur52:15 🕌As-Saf61:6 🕋Al-Muddaththir74:24

At a Glance

According to the unanimous consensus of classical Islamic scholarship, Magic (As-Sihr) is a forbidden (haram) reality, an act of disbelief (kufr) taught by devils to cause harm and discord. The term Sihr, from the Arabic root meaning 'hidden' or 'concealed,' refers to practices that seek to manipulate reality through satanic assistance, creating illusions and affecting individuals by Allah's leave. Tafsir of foundational verses like Quran 2:102 by authorities such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explains that magic's origin is tied to the devils who taught it to humanity as a trial, explicitly warning that learning it is an act of kufr. The extensive Quranic narratives of Prophet Musa's confrontation with Pharaoh's magicians, as detailed by Al-Qurtubi, serve to definitively distinguish between the deceptive, limited power of magic and the supreme, undeniable power of a divine miracle (mu'jizah). Across more than 80 verses, the Quran synthesizes this understanding: Sihr is a dangerous, prohibited art of deception, while true power and protection belong only to Allah.

📖 Quranic Context

A major theme used to distinguish divine miracles from satanic deception, highlight the nature of disbelief (kufr), and narrate the trials of prophets, particularly Musa (Moses).

Portrayed as a direct challenge to Divine authority and truth, originating from devils and strictly forbidden by Allah. Its effects are real but only occur by Allah's permission.

References: Referenced across numerous surahs, most notably Al-Baqarah, Al-A'raf, Taha, and Ash-Shu'ara.

💭 Theological Perspective

Represents a corruptible path humans may follow by seeking power through forbidden, satanic means rather than through submission to Allah.

Seen as a source of spiritual disease, delusion, and harm, affecting the mind and relationships, and requiring spiritual remedy (Ruqyah).

The Quran and Sunnah provide clear prohibitions against it and prescribe specific means of protection and cure, emphasizing reliance on Allah alone.

Engaging in or seeking magic is a major sin and an act of disbelief that nullifies faith and leads to eternal punishment. Avoiding it is a sign of true faith (Iman) and reliance on Allah (Tawakkul).

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned against magic as one of the seven destructive sins and taught specific supplications and Quranic chapters for protection.

The prohibition and severity of practicing magic.
The story of the Prophet (ﷺ) being affected by magic and its cure through revelation.
The use of Ruqyah Shar'iyyah (Islamic incantation) for treatment.

There is a universal consensus (Ijma) among Islamic scholars on the absolute prohibition (haram) of learning, practicing, or seeking magic, and that it constitutes an act of disbelief (kufr).

💎 Deeper Insights

A cross-verse synthesis of the narratives of Musa (AS) reveals that the magicians he faced were not mere charlatans; they were the state-sponsored elite of their time. Their immediate submission to Allah (20:70) upon seeing a true miracle was not just a personal conversion but a public dismantling of the Pharaonic regime's false spiritual authority, proving that authentic divine power instantly exposes and defeats established institutional falsehood.

— Ibn Kathir, Sayyid Qutb

Synthesizing the linguistic analysis of 'Sihr' (from 'hidden cause') with the theological statement in 2:102 ('...harming no one except by the permission of Allah') reveals a profound concept: Magic is the *attempt* to manipulate hidden causes, whereas faith is *submission* to the Ultimate Hidden Cause (Allah). Therefore, engaging in magic is a direct act of theological defiance, attempting to usurp a role that belongs only to God.

— Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi