Is the sorcerer a disbeliever, what is the evidence, is it permissible to pray behind him, and what must I do if I prayed behind such an imam at a time when I did not know
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The questioner : He says: Is the sorcerer a disbeliever, what is the evidence, is it permissible to pray behind him, and what must I do if I prayed behind such an imam at a time when I did not know that he is a sorcerer? Is my previous prayer invalid?
The Shaykh : Yes. Sorcery is of two types: a type that is disbelief and a type that is aggression and injustice.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for disbelief, it is that which is received from the jinn. That which is received from the jinn is disbelief, and the evidence for that is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:102] This type of sorcery is disbelief that expels one from the religion, and its practitioner is killed.
The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether the repentance of this sorcerer is accepted if he repents. Some scholars said that his repentance is accepted due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Az-Zumar 39:53] If this sorcerer repents and abandons practicing sorcery, what prevents the acceptance of his repentance? And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says: [Az-Zumar 39:53] But if he caused the killing of one of the people through his sorcery, or aggression against them in matters less than killing, then he is liable for the right of the human being. If it was by killing, he is killed in retaliation; if it was by causing illness, his case is examined; if it was by corrupting wealth, he is liable for that wealth.
The second type of sorcery is sorcery that is not by the command of the jinn, but by medicines, drugs, and tangible things. This type does not make one a disbeliever, but it is obligatory to kill its practitioner to prevent its corruption and harm. Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Yes. Sorcery is of two types: a type that is disbelief and a type that is aggression and injustice.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for disbelief, it is that which is received from the jinn. That which is received from the jinn is disbelief, and the evidence for that is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve
وَاتَّبَعوا ما تَتلُو الشَّياطينُ عَلى مُلكِ سُلَيمانَ وَما كَفَرَ سُلَيمانُ وَلكِنَّ الشَّياطينَ كَفَروا يُعَلِّمونَ النّاسَ السِّحرَ وَما أُنزِلَ عَلَى المَلَكَينِ بِبابِلَ هاروتَ وَماروتَ وَما يُعَلِّمانِ مِن أَحَدٍ حَتّى يَقولا إِنَّما نَحنُ فِتنَةٌ فَلا تَكفُرThe scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether the repentance of this sorcerer is accepted if he repents. Some scholars said that his repentance is accepted due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins
قُل يا عِبادِيَ الَّذينَ أَسرَفوا عَلى أَنفُسِهِم لا تَقنَطوا مِن رَحمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغفِرُ الذُّنوبَ جَميعًاIndeed, Allah forgives all sins
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغفِرُ الذُّنوبَ جَميعًاThe second type of sorcery is sorcery that is not by the command of the jinn, but by medicines, drugs, and tangible things. This type does not make one a disbeliever, but it is obligatory to kill its practitioner to prevent its corruption and harm. Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.