Is Witchcraft A Major Sin? Am I Still Muslim?

20 December, 2017
Q Salam Aleykum, I'm a new Muslim, trying to practice my faith as much as I can, but facing some problems. I've read that witchcraft is considered a serious sin in Islam. Normally I would never practice any magical rituals in my life, but recently I made an exception. I had been sexually assaulted by a man and later threatened by him. I was able to forgive the assault, but he kept on sending me very ugly and threatening messages, which had a very bad impact on my mental state. I went to police, but they didn't take it seriously and said it's just "a relationship problem". I turned to a therapist who managed to minimize my level of anxiety, but I would still go into panic attacks each time he sent me a message. I would block him everywhere, but he kept on creating new accounts, getting new sim cards etc. Eventually I asked my non-Muslim friend, who identifies himself as a witch, to do something against him. I didn't perform any ritual myself, but I deliberately asked my friend to make a death spell against this person. After he performed the ritual for several times, all the messages stopped. It has been almost a month now. Of course, I can't know if the person is dead or alive, but to be completely honest, I would feel no sadness or guilt if I learned that he was dead. I'm still dealing with the anxiety as a result of what happened and need therapy. Here's my question: is witchcraft ALWAYS considered a sin? My friend, who performed the ritual, said that it only works if it's ethically justified. So, for example, if you make a death spell against someone simply because you don't like the person, it will not work and it might even hit you instead. I don't feel guilty, because first I tried to solve the problem through the legal path, but unfortunately police doesn't take stalking and threatening as serious as they should. Does it mean I shouldn't consider myself Muslim anymore? Thank you for your answer in advance.

Answer

Short Answer: Yes, it is absolutely a major sin, one of the seven major sins. It shows a lack of trust in God’s ability to help deliver us from our trials. In that way, it’s a form of shirk, or giving partners to Allah. However, committing such acts of witchcraft do not take you out of the fold of Islam if you are truly repentant. It’s important to seek your rights in a halal manner, and to go to the proper authorities for help and more information.


Walaykum Assalam, Dear Sister,

This is such a delicate issue, and we want to be very cautious about the answer we give you.

To get the maximum benefit from our website, please send the part on the assault and your mental state to “Ask the Counselor” section; also get a more accurate fatwa on your specific case through “Ask the Scholar” section, to gather a satisfactory and well-rounded answer to your case from every angle.

In this answer, we will generally address the two main points you raised.

Is witchcraft always a major sin?

To get to the point: Yes, it is.

Narrated Abu Huraira, the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said,

“Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” They (the people!) asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What are they?” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah; to practice magic; to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law); to eat up usury (Riba), to eat up the property of an orphan; to give one’s back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

The Prophet himself dealt with many unjust and harmful people and situations, and he never licensed the companions or any of the people to take revenge via practicing black magic against others.

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:

“…and the magician will not succeed wherever he is” (Qur’an 20:69)

“But magicians will not succeed.” (Qur’an 10:77)

A Case Study: Harut and Marut

“And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut, and Marut.

But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, “We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].”

And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah.

And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them.

But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share.

And wretched is that for which they sold themselves if they only knew. And if they had believed and feared Allah, then the reward from Allah would have been [far] better, if they only knew.” (Qur’an 2: 102-103)

Does this mean you’re no longer a Muslim?

This issue should be dealt with as a sin that you repent from, not a permanent part of your identity.

If you sincerely repent from a sin and you quit it, and make a decision to not go back to it again, then you should know that Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness are vast and He accepts the repentance of His slaves.

“And it is He who accepts repentance from his servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do.” (Quran 42:25)

But note that in this particular sin, you have to recheck your belief.

This choice shows a belief that Allah Almighty has no power to help you, protect you or bring you your rights back.

Alienating yourself from Him and seeking someone other than Him (like the evil spirits that assist in magic) to help you is truly destructive.

This is about not knowing Allah Almighty or having a flawed understanding/perception of Him and/or associating others from among His creations with Him.

If this is not your belief, and you acted on emotions/impulse/mistake/lack of knowledge, and then you regret and repent from this sin, then Allah’s forgiveness is vast.  

“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance.” (Quran 25:70-71)

Allah loves those who rely on Him and trust Him

“…Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Qur’an 3: 159)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:

“There are three whose supplication is not rejected: The fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the supplication of the oppressed person; Allah raises it up above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it. And the Lord says: ‘By My might, I shall surely aid you, even if it should be after a while.’” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi]

So, we advise you to repent sincerely from this sin, and may Allah accept your repentance.

Allah can fix your condition from the inside-out if you seek Him earnestly and show full faith and trust in Him.

Please also seek a lawyer, members of the Muslim community near you and/or an Imam to help you further should this person approach you again.

And kindly do contact our scholar and counselor for further help.

May Allah protect you!


Read more…

Why Islam Is Against Black Magic And Sorcery?

http://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/living-islam/how-to-protect-from-magic-and-witchcraft/

Weapons To Protect Yourself From Shaytan And Black Magic

 

http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/black-magic-happen-will-god-satan/