What Does Islam Say About Magic and Sorcery?

■ What Does Islam Say About Magic and Sorcery?

Magic, sorcery, and fortune-telling have always existed in human societies. But what does Islam say about them?

Severe Punishment for Magicians

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly stated:

❝The punishment for a magician is execution by the sword.❞

— (Narrated by Jundub رضي الله عنه, reported by Tirmidhi)

This hadith is authentic and undeniable, with a strong chain of narrators leading back to the Prophet ﷺ.

Even Caliph Umar رضي الله عنه issued a clear command:

❝Execute every magician, whether male or female.❞

— (Sahih Bukhari)

And it wasn’t just a statement—three magicians were actually executed upon receiving this order.

What is Jibt and Taghut?

Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه explained:

🔹 Jibt – Magic and sorcery.

🔹 Taghut – Satan and all false deities.

Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه added:

❝Taghut refers to those fortune-tellers and soothsayers whom Shaytan inspires.❞

These fortune-tellers pretend to predict the future, but in reality, they are just puppets of Shaytan, misleading people with lies.

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

❝Stay away from 7 destructive sins!❞

The Sahabah asked,

“What are they, Ya RasoolAllah?”

The Prophet ﷺ listed:

1️⃣ Shirk – Associating partners with Allah ﷻ
2️⃣ Practicing magic
3️⃣ Murdering an innocent person
4️⃣ Consuming interest (riba)
5️⃣ Stealing the wealth of orphans
6️⃣ Running away from battle (in jihad)
7️⃣ Falsely accusing chaste believing women

(Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)

Notice how magic is listed second—right after shirk! This shows how dangerous it is in Islam.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

❝Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.❞

— (Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abu Dawood)

Once, a slave woman tried to perform magic against Hazrat Hafsa رضي الله عنها (the wife of the Prophet ﷺ). When this was discovered, Hazrat Hafsa رضي الله عنها ordered her execution!

This shows how even the closest companions of the Prophet ﷺ did not tolerate magic in any form.

How to Protect Yourself from Magic

Recite 11x Surah Al-Falaq and 11x Surah An-Naas daily

Recite 11x Ayatul Kursi after every prayer

Stay away from superstition and false beliefs

Trust only in Allah ﷻ and His guidance

Avoid people who practice magic or fortune-telling

Magic is not just a small sin—it is a serious crime in Islam. It corrupts faith, destroys lives, and invites the wrath of Allah ﷻ.

Instead of seeking shortcuts through magic, put your full trust in Allah ﷻ. He is the only One who can change your destiny.

اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد