The Ruling on Breaking Sorcery with Sorcery

Question:
What is the ruling on removing sorcery with sorcery?

Answer:
Sorcery is treated with the Qur'an, the prescribed invocations, and medicine, as Ibn al-Qayyim said, and as Shaykh Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his book *Al-Taqyid*: it is not treated with sorcery. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when asked about the removal of sorcery, said: . Removing sorcery with sorcery is from the work of Satan, so it is obligatory to be cautious of that. However, it is removed by the Qur'an, good supplications, and permissible medicines. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was afflicted with sorcery, it was removed by reciting Surat al-Fatiha and the two chapters of protection (al-Mu'awwidhatan) with the invocations, and Allah cured him. If a person is afflicted with something, he should recite Surat al-Fatiha and the two chapters of protection in his palms three times, repeat them, and wipe his face and chest three times. He should do this when going to sleep and at all times until Allah cures him, especially when going to sleep. He does this by reciting in his palms three times, and in each instance, he wipes on the front of his body: his head, chest, and face. This is among the greatest causes of healing. And if someone else recites it for him, that is also fine.