Opinion

‘Logical’ Examination Of Witch Craft

 

Bazillah Yussuf

Black magic also known as witchcraft is usage of supernatural power for evil and selfish purposes and to perform malicious practices to destroy someone physically or mentally or financially. It can be done using the victim’s hair, clothes, photo or looking directly into eyes.

Practicing black magic is not something new, it has been practiced since generations and hence we need to be very careful in this time of modern animosity where you are surrounded by very few well-wishers.

Narrated `Aisha (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was affected by magic, so much that he used to think that he had done something which in fact, he did not do, and he invoked his Lord (for a remedy).

Then (one day) he said, “O Aisha!) Do you know that Allah has advised me as to the problem I consulted Him about? “Aisha (RA) said, “O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! What’s that?” He said, “Two men came to me and one of them sat at my head and the other at my feet, and one of them asked his companion, ‘What is wrong with this man?’ The latter replied, ‘He is under the effect of magic.’

The former asked, ‘Who has worked magic on him?’ The latter replied, ‘Labid bin Al-A’sam.’ The former asked, ‘With what did he work the magic?’ The latter replied, ‘With a comb and the hair, which are stuck to the comb, and the skin of pollen of a date-palm tree.’ The former asked, ‘Where is that?’ The latter replied, ‘It is in Dharwan.’

Dharwan was a well in the dwelling place of the (tribe of) Bani Zuraiq. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) went to that well and returned to `Aisha, saying, ‘By Allah, the water (of the well) was as red as the infusion of Hinna, (1) and the date-palm trees look like the heads of devils.’
Aisha added, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) came to me and informed me about the well. I asked the Prophet, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), why didn’t you take out the skin of pollen?’ He said, ‘As for me, Allah has cured me and I hated to draw the attention of the people to such evil (which they might learn and harm others with).’ ” Narrated Hisham’s father: Aisha said, “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was bewitched, so he invoked Allah repeatedly requesting Him to cure him from that magic).” Hisham then narrated the above narration. (See Hadith No. 658, Vol. 7)

The study was done in Bangladesh aimed to examine beliefs among 320 attendees of a large University Hospital in Dhaka about Jinn, black magic and evil eye among Muslims in Bangladesh, using a self-completed questionnaire.

The majority believed in the existence of Jinn (72%) and in Jinn possession (61%). In contrast, a relatively smaller proportion believed in the existence of black magic and evil eye (50% and 44%, respectively). Women were more likely than men to believe in the existence of Jinn and to cite religious figures as the treating authority for diseases attributed to affliction by black magic.
Participants with a higher educational attainment were less likely than those with lower attainment to believe in jinn possession; or to believe that Jinn, black magic, or evil eye could cause mental health problems. Mental health care practitioners need to be mindful of these beliefs to achieve the best outcome for their patients.

A Muslim person must have a scientific mindset that qualifies him to worship Allah, administer the earth, and purify the self. He must not heed the superstitious mindset that follows delusions, suppositions, and does not rely on evidences and proofs. At present, the superstitious mindset has become widespread among Muslims and many ascribe disruptions in rizq (provisions) and other afflictions to magic, the evil eye and the like.

The right thing to do is examine the true and logical reasons behind these phenomena and try to overcome them through the law of casuality on which Allah bases the interests of His servants.

You are to seek the help of Allah in this. A Muslim must likewise increase his faith in Allah by accepting what Allah destines for him and by making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and du’a` (supplication), sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in abundance and reciting the tried and tested invocations of ruqya (healing words).

The ruqya is merely a protection against evil and depression by the will of Allah; it is not magic as some construe it. It is necessary to the take into account the relevant causes for every individual case.

This does not mean that magic and jinn do not exist; we have been informed of their existence. However, we disapprove of indulging in attributing everything that happens to us to magic and jinn. The majority of those who claim to offer cures for magic and jinn [possessions] are charlatans and materialistic while the majority of those who assume that they are under a spell or are harmed by jinn are delusional.
In any case, the person who does not find a logical cause for something that happens to him and is convinced that he is bewitched or the like, must use the ruqya and the permissible means of seeking refuge in Allah such as reciting the chapters of Fatiha, al-Nas, Al-Falaq and the supplications for refuge that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used.

Moreover, a person may use supplications of refuge that the Prophet did not mention but which do not contravene the etiquette of du’a` and dhikr. It has been reported that when witchcraft was used against the Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him), he took out the comb and combings that were used for the spell. He then recited Surat Al-Nas and Al-Falaq and Allah the Almighty cured him

  • Bazillah Yussuf has done integrated PG in English+Literature….Presently working as Lecturer in Dr. A.G.M’s City School…..Doing research between the age group of 14-20 on Social Evils with Prof. Abdul Ghani Madhosh

{This Views Expressed By The Author Are His / Her Own}

 

Network KNT

Network Kashmir is sister concern of Kashmir based News Agency Kashmir News Trust. Network KNT is a sincere attempt from budding Journalists of Kashmir to present News in its true form without any favoritism and bias.

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