ABSTRACT
Belief in witchcraft, sorcery, magic, ghosts and demons is widespread and pervasive among the global Muslim communities. This is manifested in the theological concept of magic, witchcraft and Jinn from the Qur’an and the Sunnah and from the therapeutic incantations. A substantial number of Muslims continue to believe in the existence of witchcraft and very few Muslims believe the use of sorcery is an acceptable practice under Islam. The use of magic and witchcraft are forbidden in Islam whether contemporary magic (just deception or illusion), black magic (dark), sorcery and witchcraft spell (false miracles). Sihr (Magic) has wider meanings which include magic or black magic (in the use of Jinn), dowsing, exorcism, sorcery and witchcraft. Witchcraft refers to toxic actions that are carried out by persons presumed to have access to the supernatural world. It is the power of the Jinn that the sorcerer or magician uses to commit devilish acts. Many Muslims developed all sorts of physical or psychological disorders or both as a result of magic and witchcraft. Jinn are responsible for the cause of Sihr and you cannot have Sihr without Jinn. Throughout the Muslim world, there are sorcerers, fortune tellers and traditional healers; many are in violation of interpretations of the Shari’ah (Islamic law). This leads the magicians or healers that use magic or witchcraft into the realm of major Shirk which refers to the association of a partner with Allah, the summoning other than God and relying on others beside Allah. The texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah indicate that the ascribing of rivals to Allah sometimes puts a person beyond the pale of Islam or nullifies Islam. This chapter examines witchcraft and magic (Sihr) from the Qur’an, Sunnah and from classical and contemporary scholars.
