Magic: reality or illusion?

6-12-2011 | IslamWeb

Question:

Some scholars say that magic is real and has an effect, while others say it is mere illusion. Which is the predominant opinion?
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 sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

The correct opinion is that the majority of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa‘ah (the Sunni mainstream) say that magic is a reality. This opinion was stated by scholars such as Ibn Qudaamah, Al-Qaraafi, Ibn Muflih, Ibn Al-Humaam, Zakariyya Al-Ansaari, the prominent scholar Ibn Al-Qaasim Al-‘Abaadi, Al-Buhooti and many others may Allaah have mercy upon them all.

In contrast, the Mu‘tazilah (a deviant sect) and even some scholars of Ahus-Sunnah wa'l Jamaa‘ah believe that magic is not real. However, this opinion has been rejected and refuted.

Allaah Knows best.

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