“Inside the only room of the house, a three-year-old girl … was lying on the floor with her hands and feet tied.”  “She was in a semi-conscious state, and her mother was sitting beside her.” “…the couple had lit a number of candles around the child, which police believe was part of some magic ritual. Police also found printed material containing black magic chants and other information.”  The scariest part: it happened right here in Karachi.

Occult arts like black magic (kala jadu) have been practiced for thousands of years.  Judging from the ubiquitous graffiti about ‘aamils and kala jadugars on the walls of our cities, it seems like a good business.  Do you remember Gogya Pasha Kala Jadugar  from the nineties?  Most of these ‘aamils are without a doubt fraudsters, who benefit from the weakness of the afflicted ones.  Despite strict admonition in the Quran and ahadith about the people who engage in such activities, an ever increasing number of people among us are resorting to such evil means.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever blows on knots practices magic, and whoever practices magic is a mushrik (polytheist).” (Al-Tabarani)

According to Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, “Anyone who goes to a diviner, a practitioner of magic or a soothsayer, asking something and believing in what he says, denies what was revealed to Muhammad.”

What Does the Quran Say About Magic?

Many people don’t believe in magic or other super normal phenomenon but the Qur’an talks about magic in a number of places such as here:

“They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men Magic, and such things as came down at babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (Such things) without saying: “We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme.” They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew! “  (Al-Baqara, ayah 102)

Why Do People Turn to Black Magic?

The reasons for using black magic are as varied as the people engaged in it, but some of the most common reasons include:

  • Weak belief: weak belief or lack of Iman is the primary reason for turning to something or someone other than Allah for help
  • Lack of education: not having enough education and knowledge about their Deen makes people easy targets for evil doers
  • Breaking a marriage: This is one of the most common reasons for using black magic, which is also mentioned in the Quran, “And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife…” (Al-Baqarah, Ayah102)
  • Jealousy: A very strong emotion that completely impedes rational thinking and compels people to try to harm others for no good reason
  • To make someone fall in love/get married: This is another very common reason for resorting to sorcerers and ‘aamils.

How is Black Magic Done?

The person who practices black magic submits himself to Shaytan (the devil) and seeks his help by performing various rituals like casting spells through chants. Animal and even human sacrifices are done to achieve evil objectives. Secluded places like graveyards are commonly used for these activities. Black magic practitioners use various personal articles to cast spells on their victims including their hair, nails, used clothing, dolls, etc.

Symptoms of Black Magic

Certain symptoms may indicate that a person is affected with black magic.  However, having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean affliction with black magic.  It may very well be physical ailment.

  • Stark changes in behavior like avoiding people or uncontrolled anger, frustration, etc.
  • Repeated occurrences of loss of consciousness or epileptic seizures
  • Regular nightmares
  • Repulsion from Quran, namaz, etc
  • Avoiding the spouse
  • Repeated miscarriage
  • Unexplainable affinity towards a specific person or family
  • Frequent headaches

Cure from Black Magic

Often people who are struck by black magic seek help from black magic practitioners.  This is exactly the wrong approach because sehar or evil can’t be cured with the same.  The antidote has to be the opposite, which means using good against the evil.  A number of treatments have been prescribed to cure sehar (magic) including:

  • Turning to Allah – The first and the foremost is to renew faith in Allah and believe that Allah is the only one who can benefit or harm someone
  • Turning to the Qur’an – Reading prescribed surahs from the Qur’an including Al Fateha, Al falaq, Al Naas, Ayat-al-Kursi and Al Baqarah

Do you have any personal stories about black magic you would like to share? Do you know anyone who was cured? Please share in the comments below.