The Detail of the Disbelief of the Sorcerer and Its Ruling

The questioner : There is a detail regarding the disbelief of the sorcerer. What is it?

The Shaykh : The answer to this question falls under the general rule that guides us in distinguishing between practical disbelief and creedal disbelief. If this sorcerer considers what Allah has forbidden of sorcery to be permissible, both in his heart and in his outward actions, then he is a disbeliever. If he does not consider it permissible in his heart, but only in his action, then his case is the same as that of everyone who commits the sins of Allah, such as the fornicator, the drinker of intoxicants, the one who deals in riba (usury or interest), and the like. These are sinners, unless they consider these prohibitions permissible in their hearts. In that case, they become disbelievers. However, if the sorcerer openly practices sorcery on people, he is to be killed, as one of the Companions did. I believe, if my memory does not fail me, it was 'Imran ibn Husayn, or Samurah ibn Jundub—one of the two, without doubt. When it was said to him that a certain person was doing such and such, he drew his sword, went to him, and killed him. So the ruling is that he is to be killed, like a murderer, regardless of whether he is a disbeliever or an open sinner. What happened to the device, Abu Muhammad? It is weak. It needs to be strengthened, if Allah wills. The electricity has gone out, everyone.