Should Muslims Believe in Black Magic? | Dr. Shabir Ally

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Shabir explores the concept of black magic in Islam, addressing various beliefs within the Muslim community. He explains Quranic references to magic, distinguishing between miracles and magic, using examples from the stories of Moses and Pharaoh’s magicians. Dr. Shabir also discusses the controversial hadith of Prophet Muhammad being affected by black magic and the skepticism surrounding it. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a scientific mindset in understanding the world, noting that while God can do anything, attributing supernatural power to forces other than God is unscientific and goes against Islamic teachings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Magic is mentioned in the Quran, but most often as an accusation against prophets like Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them), rather than an actual supernatural power.
• 😀 In the story of Moses and Pharaoh, the magicians' feats are likely illusions or psychological tricks, not genuine magic. Moses' miracles, on the other hand, were divine signs from God.
• 😀 The Quran acknowledges the existence of magic, especially black magic, but doesn't present it as something that can change the natural order in a supernatural way.
• 😀 The concept of black magic in Islam often involves the belief in evil forces, such as Satan and his followers, aiding individuals to perform harmful magical acts.
• 😀 Some Muslims believe in the possibility of black magic, while others reject its reality, suggesting that psychological factors may be at play.
• 😀 The Hadiths describe an incident where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have been affected by black magic, but many modern Muslims question the authenticity of this story.
• 😀 The notion of using personal objects like hair to cause harm through magic reflects cultural beliefs, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that such magic has any real effect.
• 😀 While the Quran offers prayers for protection from harmful magic, it is believed that these protections help alleviate psychological effects or misguided beliefs in magical harm.
• 😀 The scientific perspective suggests that magic, as traditionally understood, cannot alter the physical world without a scientific connection, contradicting the idea that it can influence events or people remotely.
• 😀 Muslims are encouraged to cultivate a scientific mindset, which is in line with the Quran’s emphasis on reason, observation, and cause-and-effect relationships in understanding the world.
• 😀 The discussion emphasizes that while Muslims believe in God’s power over the natural world, attributing magical abilities to anything other than God contradicts the teachings of Islam.

Q & A

Do Muslims believe in black magic?

Muslims have varied beliefs regarding black magic. Some believe in its existence, while others may question its validity, particularly in the modern context. The Quran does mention magic, but the belief in black magic, involving evil forces, is debated among Muslims.

What does the Quran say about black magic?

The Quran refers to magic, often in the context of accusations against the prophets. For instance, the people of Pharaoh called Moses' miracles 'magic.' In the case of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), non-believers accused the Quran itself of being magical. However, magic is also mentioned in the context of Moses' confrontation with Pharaoh's magicians, who performed illusions, not real magic.

Is there a difference between magic and black magic in Islam?

Yes, there is a distinction. Magic in the Quran often refers to acts done to deceive or mislead, as seen in the case of Moses and Pharaoh's magicians. Black magic, on the other hand, is generally associated with evil forces or spirits, which some Muslims believe can affect people negatively.

What is the story of the Prophet Moses and the magicians in the Quran?

In the Quran, Pharaoh challenges Moses to demonstrate a miracle to prove that God is with him. Moses performs miracles such as his staff turning into a serpent. Pharaoh then calls for his magicians to compete, and they perform tricks to deceive the people. Some Islamic scholars interpret these acts as psychological illusions rather than actual magic.

How do Muslim scholars view the magic performed by Pharaoh's magicians?

Muslim scholars have different views on the magic performed by Pharaoh's magicians. Some scholars believe that the magicians caused real changes in the natural order, while others think it was merely a psychological illusion, where the magicians tricked the people into perceiving something that wasn't real.

Was the Prophet Muhammad ever affected by black magic?

Yes, there is a Hadith which describes how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was affected by black magic. According to the story, hair from the Prophet's comb was tied into a knot and placed in a well, which caused him to feel ill. It was only when the knot was untied that he was cured. However, many modern Muslims question the authenticity of this story.

Why do some Muslims question the Hadith about the Prophet being affected by black magic?

Some Muslims question the Hadith because they believe that God was closely supervising the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), making it unlikely that he could have been afflicted by black magic. They view the story as reflecting the beliefs of early Muslims rather than being a factual event.

What does the Quran say about seeking protection from magic?

In the Quran, the 113th chapter (Al-Falaq) teaches Muslims to seek refuge in God from various harms, including the harm of those who practice magic, such as the 'blowers in knots.' This chapter encourages Muslims to pray for protection from such negative influences.

What is the scientific perspective on black magic in the context of Islam?

Dr. Shabir suggests that Muslims should cultivate a scientific mindset and not ascribe supernatural powers to magical practices. The scientific view emphasizes that events should be understood through physical cause and effect, and there is no physical connection that would allow black magic to influence a person from a distance.

Should Muslims fear black magic?

According to Dr. Shabir, Muslims should not fear black magic. While the Quran and Hadith mention it, he emphasizes that modern Muslims should focus on rationality and scientific thinking. Fearing black magic could lead to psychological effects, but Islam teaches that only God has ultimate control over all things.