Going to Sorcerers for Treatment
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Fatwa No. ( 10538 ):
Q: My father has been afflicted with a chronic illness, and we have tried everything within our capabilities to treat him, but he has not been cured. When the hospital staff were unable to help, my family turned to some sorcerers, asking them for a treatment they could use for my father. However, I rejected this approach and did not allow them to follow these sorcerers, because I am certain that this is forbidden and not permissible. I warned them and said, "This is not permissible," but they did not care about what I said. They said, "I know nothing about that," and they claim that these people have righteousness, assuming that the religion does not prohibit this matter. What made me oppose their actions in reality is that when I heard the method they use to treat the patient, I realized that they are not on the right path. Among the methods I learned about them is that
One of them asked my family to bring my father’s shemagh (headscarf) that he wears. When they brought it to him, he described the illness my father is suffering from perfectly, without having seen him. Another sorcerer says, when he sees the patient: “Your star, so-and-so, is beautiful,” in that tone. Another says to the patient’s family: “Slaughter a black sheep, gather the excess parts from it, and place them in the skin of the slaughtered sheep, and put it in an isolated place so that no one reaches it or sees it.” The one who prescribes that recipe says that it is obligatory for the one who slaughters the animal intended to treat the patient to keep it hidden from the eyes of people; because they believe that the effect of the medicine is nullified as soon as any person sees the slaughtered sheep prepared for treatment at the patient’s home. There are many other such actions that some people believe in. I am sending you this letter hoping that you will clarify the ruling of the religion in this matter, and I ask Allah the Exalted and Mighty to make us among those who listen to the statement and then follow the best of it. May Allah grant success.
A: It is forbidden to go to sorcerers for treatment, and all the methods you mentioned regarding their treatment are from fortune-telling and sorcery, and the aim of them is to consume people’s wealth by falsehood. You did well in your disapproval of those who wanted to treat your father through sorcery, and you fulfilled your duty of guidance and advice. Authentic hadiths have been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
prohibiting going to them, asking them, and believing them. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: My father has been afflicted with a chronic illness, and we have tried everything within our capabilities to treat him, but he has not been cured. When the hospital staff were unable to help, my family turned to some sorcerers, asking them for a treatment they could use for my father. However, I rejected this approach and did not allow them to follow these sorcerers, because I am certain that this is forbidden and not permissible. I warned them and said, "This is not permissible," but they did not care about what I said. They said, "I know nothing about that," and they claim that these people have righteousness, assuming that the religion does not prohibit this matter. What made me oppose their actions in reality is that when I heard the method they use to treat the patient, I realized that they are not on the right path. Among the methods I learned about them is that
One of them asked my family to bring my father’s shemagh (headscarf) that he wears. When they brought it to him, he described the illness my father is suffering from perfectly, without having seen him. Another sorcerer says, when he sees the patient: “Your star, so-and-so, is beautiful,” in that tone. Another says to the patient’s family: “Slaughter a black sheep, gather the excess parts from it, and place them in the skin of the slaughtered sheep, and put it in an isolated place so that no one reaches it or sees it.” The one who prescribes that recipe says that it is obligatory for the one who slaughters the animal intended to treat the patient to keep it hidden from the eyes of people; because they believe that the effect of the medicine is nullified as soon as any person sees the slaughtered sheep prepared for treatment at the patient’s home. There are many other such actions that some people believe in. I am sending you this letter hoping that you will clarify the ruling of the religion in this matter, and I ask Allah the Exalted and Mighty to make us among those who listen to the statement and then follow the best of it. May Allah grant success.
A: It is forbidden to go to sorcerers for treatment, and all the methods you mentioned regarding their treatment are from fortune-telling and sorcery, and the aim of them is to consume people’s wealth by falsehood. You did well in your disapproval of those who wanted to treat your father through sorcery, and you fulfilled your duty of guidance and advice. Authentic hadiths have been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
prohibiting going to them, asking them, and believing them. And success is from Allah. 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.