Ruling on going to sorcerers and fortune-tellers for the purpose of treatment

Q: A reader asks: What is the ruling on going to sorcerers and fortune-tellers for the purpose of treatment if one is in dire necessity?

A: It is not permissible to go to fortune-tellers, sorcerers, or magicians, nor to anyone else. Rather, they must be warned, their hands must be restrained, and they must be prevented from doing so. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): narrated by Muslim. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: He was asked about fortune-tellers, and he said: Fortune-tellers claim to know the unseen through their devils. Therefore, it is not permissible to go to fortune-tellers or diviners, nor to ask them about anything. Rather, it is obligatory to disapprove of them and to discipline them until they do not return to any of that. However, one should go to people of good who are known for the prescribed ruqyah (healing by Qur'anic recitation) and have them perform it.