According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, Sihr (السحر), often translated as sorcery or bewitchment, is a real and forbidden practice that involves seeking the aid of jinn and devils (shayateen) to inflict harm, create illusions, or manipulate people. The Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 102, details its origin as a trial for humanity, taught by the two angels Harut and Marut in Babylon, who warned against its practice as an act of disbelief (kufr). Classical commentators like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi affirm that while the effects of Sihr are real, they absolutely cannot occur except by the permission of Allah (bi'idhnillah), making both the affliction and the recovery a test of faith. The linguistic root of Sihr relates to that which is 'hidden' or 'secretive,' reflecting its nature as an act of deception. The practice is unequivocally condemned as a major sin, and Islam provides comprehensive spiritual protection against it through the Quran itself, particularly Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas, and consistent remembrance of Allah (dhikr).