A man was subjected to sorcery, so the healer ordered him to take a thread and tie seven knots, then recite the two chapters of protection over each knot and blow on them. What is the ruling on this practice?

The questioner : My Shaykh, a question. May Allah reward you with good and honor you. My Shaykh, a brother of mine who was in the Philippines told me that he contacted you regarding a case of sorcery. He referred it to...The Shaykh : ...to my supervisor. When he contacted...The Shaykh : ...my supervisor, he told him...The Shaykh : ...my supervisor, "Take a thread and tie seven knots, then recite the two chapters of protection over each knot and blow on them, and untie them." So he tried that, and the sorcery was undone. What do you say about this?

The Shaykh : I have no knowledge of this.

The questioner : I mean, he confronted the sorcerers with the Qur'an itself.

The Shaykh : Yes, but what is the role of the knots here?

The questioner : He is the one who answers this question.

The Shaykh : As for reciting the chapters of protection, that is the Shari'ah. Yes, sometimes a prescribed thing is mixed with an impermissible thing, and the prescribed thing overcomes the impermissible one, so the benefit is achieved.

The questioner : All right, if the benefit is certain.

The Shaykh : I understand, but we cannot say that you researched this topic with me. For example, if one recites extra oil, is the benefit from the recitation, or from the oil, or from both together?

The questioner : From both together.

The Shaykh : That is wrong. This is wrong, because the meaning of the statement is that the Qur'an alone is not sufficient.

The questioner : No, it is sufficient.

The Shaykh : Oh, Allah.

The questioner : My Shaykh, may Allah preserve you. Yes, by Allah.