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Doubtful ways of seeking a cure for magic

Question

Is it permissible to disobey your parents on matters in which you believe go against Islam, and could potentially lead to Shirk (even on the minor level) or Kufr? Such as consulting those whose methods are other than that which is prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah for protection from Jinn and Magic. Could you please elaborate on the bounds and limits for seeking the protection of Allaah on these matters? These people usually have you light oil lamps and rub paper with "squiggly lines" all over them as a means for your cure. While I do not do this, what is the ruling for those who follow these methods by listening to people who tell them to do these things, like putting these papers with "lines or writing" other than the Ayah of Allaah from the Quran on walls in their homes or rubbing them on their body.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is forbidden to go to magicians and fortune-tellers and to those you mentioned in your question. It is also forbidden to obey your parents in going to them as the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "There is no obedience to a creature in matters which involve disobeying the Creator. Obedience is only within what is permissible (i.e. Islamicly)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Going to such magicians and fortune-tellers is an act of disobedience to Allaah so it is forbidden to obey parents in doing so. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever goes to a soothsayer or magician or diviner and asks him (about something) [and believes his sayings], his prayer will not be accepted for forty days." [Muslim] The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) further said: "Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him (about something) and believes his sayings, he has indeed disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) (i.e. disbelieved in the Message of Islam)." [Abu Daawood]

Another narration reads: "Whoever goes to a fortune-teller or magician or diviner and asks him (about something) and believes his sayings, he has indeed disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) (i.e. disbelieved in the Message of Islam)." [Ahmad and Al-Haakim]

In another narration the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "He is not from us, he who sees an evil omen (in something), or this practice is done on his behalf, or foretells, or a foretelling is made for him, or practises magic, or magic is done for him, and whoever goes to a soothsayer [or magician or diviner] and asks him (about something) and believes his sayings, he has indeed disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) (i.e. disbelieved in the Message of Islam." [Al-Bazzaar]

Therefore, it is an obligation to avoid going to such fortune-tellers and magicians with whom our nation is afflicted. Besides, it is not permissible to use those talismans and other similar things or hang them at home. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Incantations, amulets and bewitchment (in order to make the husband increase his love towards his wife) are Shirk (i.e. association with Allaah)." [Abu Daawood]

As regards seeking refuge from this or seeking Ruqyah, please refer to Fataawa: 82488 and 82918.

Allaah knows best.

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