What is the ruling on al-nashrah (exorcism)?

The questioner : And there is no doubt that if al-nashrah involves shirk (associating partners with Allah), it is not permissible, and no one can say that it is permissible, such as if the exorciser seeks the help of the Shayatin (devils) by approaching them through slaughter, calling upon them, or seeking their aid. As for exorcism through sihr (sorcery) that does not include kufr (disbelief) or shirk,

The Shaykh : this is a matter of consideration and a point of scholarly disagreement. Ibn al-Musayyab was definitive, stating that there is no harm in it, while al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) prohibited it and said it is not permissible.

The questioner : But it is authentic for the sorcerers.

The Shaykh : No, no, this is what we said: that it involves encouragement and there is harm in it.

The questioner : Shaykh, when he said that al-nashrah is from the Shaytan. Yes. For the religious covenant, O Shaykh. Al-nashrah. In the era of jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic age of ignorance).

The Shaykh : There is a possibility, there is a possibility that it is for the covenant and that it is for the general public. The possibility, and the issue, as I told you, is truly one where I hold back, because many people are greatly harmed by sihr (sorcery), and they go to people to have them recite over them and do not benefit, because the people have dampness in their hearts; if they recite with the Qur'an, it may not benefit. Or their recitation of this voice may not benefit if they recite with the Qur'an; their recitation may not benefit.

The questioner : First, does the Shari'ah not indicate that this matter is prescribed?

The Shaykh : Which one?

The questioner : Give us the turn.

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed, al-nashrah is prescribed, but is the intended meaning of al-nashrah to reveal this to the people and explain it, because he said, "I fear that I will stir up fitnah (trial, discord or temptation),"

The questioner : Yes, but fundamentally, al-nashrah that does not contain shirk, O Shaykh, we do not use this hadith as evidence that it is permissible, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the question and did not deny it? Welcome.

The Shaykh : But is the intended meaning of "I performed al-nashrah" that you went to someone who performs al-nashrah for you?

The questioner : I mean, we do not know. We do not know.

The Shaykh : Let us look at the explanation now, but I did not benefit, and the man is harmed or the woman is harmed, so here we might say this is a darurah (dire necessity) in that he is harmed physically or mentally, and in that he did not benefit from the permissible al-nashrah, and in that case it is permissible due to the necessity, so the issue is restricted completely.