Claiming to know the location of stolen items
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Fatwa number ( 21540 )
Q: We have a widespread phenomenon called "al-Wakhzah." It works as follows: if, for example, a person has gold or a car stolen from him, or if a flock of his sheep is lost, he goes to a specific person known for al-Wakhzah. This person speaks in strange, incomprehensible words and may recite something from the Noble Qur'an, after which the person's stolen or lost property is returned. Some people ask him about his method for returning the money, but he refuses to disclose it. Your Eminence, what is the ruling on this phenomenon and on going to these people? We ask Your Eminence to answer this question given its importance. May Allah preserve and protect you.
A : If the situation is as described regarding this person's claim to know the location of stolen items and to return them, then he is a fortune-teller and a diviner. This is done either by looking at the stars, or in a book, or by writing in the sand, or by seeking the help of the jinn, or by similar unlegitimate means. All of this is
disbelief in Allah because of his claim to know the unseen, which is a unique attribute of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Allah the Exalted said:[An-Naml 27:65], and Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Jinn 72:26-27]. Accordingly, it is forbidden to visit this person, and it is forbidden to believe his claim to know the unseen, due to the severe prohibition against doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 2230, narrated by Muslim in his (Sahih). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan al-Bayhaqi 15:740 (peace and blessings be upon him), narrated by the four [Imams] and al-Hakim, who graded it as authentic. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , narrated by al-Bazzar with a good chain of narration. The recitation of the Qur'an that this person displays is merely a form of deception to mislead people into thinking that what he is doing is true, with the intention of promoting his falsehood, seizing their minds, and extorting their money. All of this is lying and fabrication. Merely reciting the Qur'an does not reveal the location of a stolen item, nor does it cause it to be recovered. Whoever knows the state of
this person should warn people against visiting him or believing him, and explain the ruling on this matter to them. He should also disapprove of this person's actions and advise him, explaining to him the ruling on fortune-telling and the consequences of his actions. If he repents and turns back with sincere repentance, well and good; otherwise, his case should be referred to the competent authorities to take action against him and stop his harm to the Muslims. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We have a widespread phenomenon called "al-Wakhzah." It works as follows: if, for example, a person has gold or a car stolen from him, or if a flock of his sheep is lost, he goes to a specific person known for al-Wakhzah. This person speaks in strange, incomprehensible words and may recite something from the Noble Qur'an, after which the person's stolen or lost property is returned. Some people ask him about his method for returning the money, but he refuses to disclose it. Your Eminence, what is the ruling on this phenomenon and on going to these people? We ask Your Eminence to answer this question given its importance. May Allah preserve and protect you.
A : If the situation is as described regarding this person's claim to know the location of stolen items and to return them, then he is a fortune-teller and a diviner. This is done either by looking at the stars, or in a book, or by writing in the sand, or by seeking the help of the jinn, or by similar unlegitimate means. All of this is
disbelief in Allah because of his claim to know the unseen, which is a unique attribute of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Allah the Exalted said:
Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah
قُلْ لاَ يَعْلَمُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلا اللَّهُ(26) [He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone (27) Except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before each messenger and behind him observers
عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلا يُظْهِرُ عَلَى غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا (26) إِلا مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِنْ رَسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَدًاHe who visits a diviner ('Arraf) and asks him about anything, his prayers extending to forty nights will not be accepted.
من أتى عرافًا فسأله عن شيء لم تقبل له صلاة أربعين ليلةWhoever goes to a diviner or a fortune-teller and believes what he says, he has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.
من أتى عرافًا أو كاهنًا فصدقه بما يقول، فقد كفر بما أُنزل على محمدWe are not from one who takes an omen as a bad sign or has an omen taken for him, or who practices fortune-telling or has fortune-telling done for him, or who practices sorcery or has sorcery done for him. And whoever goes to a fortune-teller and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
ليس منا من تطير أو تُطير له، أو تكهن أو تُكهن له، أو سحر أو سُحر له، ومن أتى كاهنًا فصدقه بما يقول، فقد كفر بما أُنزل على محمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم -this person should warn people against visiting him or believing him, and explain the ruling on this matter to them. He should also disapprove of this person's actions and advise him, explaining to him the ruling on fortune-telling and the consequences of his actions. If he repents and turns back with sincere repentance, well and good; otherwise, his case should be referred to the competent authorities to take action against him and stop his harm to the Muslims. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.