What is the operative cause of the prohibition of the science of alchemy?
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The Shaykh : He was asked about the science of alchemy: is it valid by reason or permissible by the Shari'ah? He said, "Praise be to Allah. What the sons of Adam produce of gold, silver, and other types of precious stones and perfumes, and other things they imitate, which Allah did not create, until he said, 'And all of this is forbidden by the Shari'ah, without dispute among the scholars of the Muslims.' Yes, the question is: What is the operative cause of the prohibition of the science of alchemy?"
Do you know the science of alchemy that the Shaykh intends?
The questioner : Alchemy, yes, the kind where they attempt to manufacture gold.
The Shaykh : It is not the manufacturing of the gold that Allah created; they deceive, meaning they are brought stones and they add certain things to them until they become as if they were metal. This is alchemy. It is not the alchemy that we know now in schools, yes.
Is it an imitation of the creation of Allah?
Yes, it involves an imitation of the creation of Allah and deception. As for the imitation of the creation of Allah, it is because they take this stone, which is a pebble, and make it gold, or as if it were gold.
Do you know the science of alchemy that the Shaykh intends?
The questioner : Alchemy, yes, the kind where they attempt to manufacture gold.
The Shaykh : It is not the manufacturing of the gold that Allah created; they deceive, meaning they are brought stones and they add certain things to them until they become as if they were metal. This is alchemy. It is not the alchemy that we know now in schools, yes.
Is it an imitation of the creation of Allah?
Yes, it involves an imitation of the creation of Allah and deception. As for the imitation of the creation of Allah, it is because they take this stone, which is a pebble, and make it gold, or as if it were gold.