The Muslim's Duty Toward Sorcerers, Superstitious Folk, and the People of Innovated Paths
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Question:
A letter reached the program from one of the listeners in Sudan, asking a number of questions, among which was a long question written in his colloquial dialect, about those sorcerers who use incense, and those who claim to know the unseen, and he requests guidance from the Shaykh regarding them. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is obligatory for the Muslim to beware of these superstitious folk who attribute themselves to Sufism and sorcery, either by claiming knowledge of the unseen, or by other claims they make, asserting that there is a connection between them and their sheikhs that enables them to do such and such. They confuse the people and delude them into thinking they have the power to cure the sick or fulfill needs through un-Islamic means.
So, one must beware of these people; for they are superstitious folk and callers to falsehood. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith:Sahih Muslim 2230 And he said: Sunan Ibn Majah 639Hasan (Darussalam) So, these people who claim matters of the unseen, or claim that their sheikhs guide them to things related to the unseen, and that what their sheikhs say is correct, and that they are infallible, and that their news must come to pass, and the like of that—this is what happens with some of the Sufis, or one believes that revelation comes to him from the sky, so he says: "My heart told me about my Lord such and such." All of this is superstition. The one who claims it is a disbeliever. The one who claims he knows the unseen, or that revelation comes to him from the sky after Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)—all of this is disbelief and misguidance. And likewise, the one who believes them in their claim of knowledge of the unseen; whoever believes them is like them.
And if he uses incense, or other things with which he confuses or deludes people, then do not pay attention to him. The criterion is what he says. If he claims knowledge of the unseen, or claims that he serves the jinn, and that the jinn are the ones who inform him of the unseen, or the like of that, then he is among the superstitious folk and the sorcerers. So, one must beware of them, not ask them, and not believe them. And when it becomes apparent from him that he claims knowledge of the unseen, or that he worships the jinn and serves them with acts of obedience, slaughtering for them, and making vows for them, then he becomes a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), either by his claim of knowledge of the unseen, or by his worship of the jinn, calling for their aid, making vows for them, and the like. And if he claims that he knows things through other means, is he a liar? Because his intention is to delude; for no one knows the unseen except Allah .
As for if he treats the sick with known, tangible medicines, as the known doctors do, treating with cauterization, treating with things he uses from foods, or drinks, or ointments that have been tried and proven beneficial, and he does not claim knowledge of the unseen, and does not serve the jinn; then there is no blame on him. This is folk medicine that people have become accustomed to among themselves. And people may become accustomed to things they know among themselves, such as types of foods, or drinks, or ointments, or cauterization. This is permissible if it is sound, without a claim of knowledge of the unseen, and without worship of the jinn. The Arabs and most people were upon this... with them in the past, knowing customs they practiced and treated with, and sought medical care with. It may be beneficial, and it may not be beneficial. It is not from knowledge of the unseen, nor from serving the jinn, but rather it is matters they became accustomed to, such as drinks, or foods, or incense they burn, and Allah makes it beneficial, or the like of that from clear and apparent matters in which there is no delusion, no worship of the jinn, and no claim of knowledge of the unseen. And likewise, cauterization. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
A letter reached the program from one of the listeners in Sudan, asking a number of questions, among which was a long question written in his colloquial dialect, about those sorcerers who use incense, and those who claim to know the unseen, and he requests guidance from the Shaykh regarding them. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is obligatory for the Muslim to beware of these superstitious folk who attribute themselves to Sufism and sorcery, either by claiming knowledge of the unseen, or by other claims they make, asserting that there is a connection between them and their sheikhs that enables them to do such and such. They confuse the people and delude them into thinking they have the power to cure the sick or fulfill needs through un-Islamic means.
So, one must beware of these people; for they are superstitious folk and callers to falsehood. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith:
He who visits a diviner ('Arraf) and asks him about anything, his prayers extending to forty nights will not be accepted.
من أتى عرافًا، فسأله عن شيء؛ لم تقبل له صلاة أربعين يومًاor who goes to a fortuneteller and believes what he says, he has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad.
من أتى كاهنًا، فصدقه بما يقول؛ فقد كفر بما أنزل على محمد ﷺAnd if he uses incense, or other things with which he confuses or deludes people, then do not pay attention to him. The criterion is what he says. If he claims knowledge of the unseen, or claims that he serves the jinn, and that the jinn are the ones who inform him of the unseen, or the like of that, then he is among the superstitious folk and the sorcerers. So, one must beware of them, not ask them, and not believe them. And when it becomes apparent from him that he claims knowledge of the unseen, or that he worships the jinn and serves them with acts of obedience, slaughtering for them, and making vows for them, then he becomes a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), either by his claim of knowledge of the unseen, or by his worship of the jinn, calling for their aid, making vows for them, and the like. And if he claims that he knows things through other means, is he a liar? Because his intention is to delude; for no one knows the unseen except Allah .
As for if he treats the sick with known, tangible medicines, as the known doctors do, treating with cauterization, treating with things he uses from foods, or drinks, or ointments that have been tried and proven beneficial, and he does not claim knowledge of the unseen, and does not serve the jinn; then there is no blame on him. This is folk medicine that people have become accustomed to among themselves. And people may become accustomed to things they know among themselves, such as types of foods, or drinks, or ointments, or cauterization. This is permissible if it is sound, without a claim of knowledge of the unseen, and without worship of the jinn. The Arabs and most people were upon this... with them in the past, knowing customs they practiced and treated with, and sought medical care with. It may be beneficial, and it may not be beneficial. It is not from knowledge of the unseen, nor from serving the jinn, but rather it is matters they became accustomed to, such as drinks, or foods, or incense they burn, and Allah makes it beneficial, or the like of that from clear and apparent matters in which there is no delusion, no worship of the jinn, and no claim of knowledge of the unseen. And likewise, cauterization. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.