Allah the Almighty says:{They followed what the
Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the
magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but
they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they
learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they
knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the
Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own
selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded
themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have
been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102,
103)
Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May
Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah's Statement {They followed
what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the
lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the
Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that
came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither
of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said,
"We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from
us).”...} When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among mankind
and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah restored to
Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the Straight Path once
again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he buried underneath his
throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) died. In no time, the men
and the Jinn uncovered the buried scriptures and said: This was a book revealed
by Allah to Sulaiman who hid it from us. They took it as their religion and Allah
the Almighty revealed His Saying: {And when there came to them a
Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those
who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind
their backs as if they did not know!}. (Al-Baqarah, 101) and they followed
what the devils gave out, i.e. musical instruments, play and all that blocks the
remembrance of Allah.
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by Abu Sa' id Al-Ashaj after Abu Usamah
after Al-A' mash after Al-Minhal after Sa'id Ibn Jubair after Ibn `Abbas (May Allah
be pleased with him) as saying: Asif was Sulaiman's scribe. He knew the
Greatest Name of Allah and used to write what he was ordered to by Sulaiman,
then, bury it underneath the throne. After Sulaiman's death, the devils got it out
and wrote between each two lines magical and blasphemous things. They said:
"this is what Sulaiman used to apply and act upon." The ignorant among the
people regarded Sulaiman as a disbeliever and continued to insult him till
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent with the Glorious Qur'an that reads:
{They followed what the, Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the
magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Abu As-Sa'ib Salamah Ibn Junadah As-
Sawa'i after Abu Mu`awiyah after Al-A`mash after Al-Minhal after Sa`id Ibn
Jubair on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying:
When Sulaiman wanted to answer the call of nature or to make love with any of
his wives, he used to give his ring to a woman called Al-Jaradah. When Allah the
Almighty wanted to afflict Sulaiman, he gave his ring to that woman. Afterwards,
Satan came to her in the form of Sulaiman and took the ring from her. When
Satan put the ring on, all mankind, the jinn and Devils submitted to him. Then,
Sulaiman came seeking his ring from her and she said: "You are a liar, you are
not Sulaiman." Thus, Sulaiman knew that it was a test from Allah the Almighty.
Upon this, the devils were free to do whatever they wished. So, they wrote down
books of black magic and blasphemy which they buried underneath the throne of
Sulaiman. After Sulaiman's death, they uncovered these books and said to the
people: Verily, Sulaiman used to prevail with the help of these books.
Consequently, the people declared their innocence of Sulaiman and declared him
to be a disbeliever till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
who came with the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {Sulaiman did not disbelieve,
but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}. Then, Ibn Jarir said: I was told by
Ibn Hamid after Jarir after Husain Ibn `Abdur Rahman after `Imran as saying:
While we were with Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them), a man came
and Ibn `Abbas asked him: Where do you come from? The man said: from Iraq.
Ibn `Abbas asked: which city? The man said: Kufa. Ibn `Abbas asked: What is
the latest news there? The man said: I left them talking about `Ali's departing
for them. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: how dare you say
so! If we felt that (he is departing us for the people of Kufa), we would not
marry his women, or divide his properties among us. However, I will tell you the
truth: the angels used to descend on the clouds and mention this or that matter
decreed in the Heaven. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, come down
to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the latter would add to it one hundred lies
of their own. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Allah the
Almighty informed Sulaiman with the matter and enabled him to bury these lies
under his throne. After his death, one of the devils said: I can lead you to
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Sulaiman's dearest and most precious treasure. It is under his throne.
Consequently, they uncovered it and said: this is magic. Afterwards, it continued
to be copied and acted upon and what the Iraqi people practice nowadays is
nothing but its remnants. Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what
the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "
And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause
separation between man, and his wife, but they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them
and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}.
As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman
(Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils)
disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels
concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine
ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the
latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them
trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on
used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to
write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the
Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings
and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to
even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would
behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman's
death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form
of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting
treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman's throne
and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and
found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman
could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was
rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel
kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They
followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but
the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.
Narrated Ar-Rabi' Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask
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him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them.
Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better
than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His
Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely
of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under
Sulaiman's throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen.
When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying:
this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they
went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.
Mujahid said pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the
Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to
listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard twohundred
lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they
regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.
Sa'id Ibn Jubair said: Sulaiman used to look for and capture the magic of the
devils and keep it buried under his throne. The devils could not reach it and thus
they inspired to the people that it is the knowledge with which Sulaiman was
able to overcome the Jinn, the wind, etc., and that it is buried under his own
throne. Afterwards, the people got it out and practiced it. Later, the people of
the Hejaz said: Sulaiman used to practice sorcery. Upon this, Allah the Almighty
revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman
did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men
magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels,
Harut and Marut}. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Yasar said: when the devils
knew of the death of Sulaiman, they wrote down types of sorcery (magic) as
thus: to fulfill such and such matters, practice such and such (procedures). They
gathered all these in a book and sealed it with a ring bearing the inscription
found on Sulaiman's ring and titled it with: This is what was written by Asif Ibn
Barkhiya by order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud. Then, they buried it under the
throne (of Sulaiman). After some time, the Children of Israel got it out and said:
Verily, Sulaiman ruled over us only with this and they diffused sorcery among the
people. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned Sulaiman Ibn
Dawud as one of the former Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty, the Jews in
Madinah said: Amazingly Muhammad claims that Sulaiman Ibn Dawud was a
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Prophet, by Allah, he was nothing but a sorcerer. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty
revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman
did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men
magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels,
Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but
they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they
learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they
knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the
Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own
selves, if they but knew).
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Al-Qasim after Hussein Ibn Al-Hajjaj after
Abu Bakr after Shahr Ibn Hawshab2 as saying: The devils used to write sorcery
down when Sulaiman was absent. "They wrote: whosoever wants to do such and
such, he should stand facing the sun and say such and such. And, whosoever
wants to do such and such, he should stand giving his back to the sun and say
such and such." They wrote this in a book titled: "This is what has been written
by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by the order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud: from the
treasures of knowledge." Then, they buried it under Sulaiman's throne. When
Sulaiman died, Satan established himself as an orator and said: "O people!
Sulaiman was not a prophet; he was only a sorcerer! Go and seek his sorcery in
his dwellings and luggage." And he led them to the buried "treasure". The people
said: "By Allah! Sulaiman was a sorcerer who subjected us through his magic."
The believers from among them said: "Nay, he was a faithful Prophet." When
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent and he mentioned Dawud
and Sulaiman, the Jews said: "Muhammad confounds the truth with falsehood:
he puts Sulaiman with the Prophets while he was just a sorcerer who was carried
by the wind. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what
the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marutbut neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).
"And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause
separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them
and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
2 Shahr Ibn Hawshab is a Weak (i.e. not trustworthy) Narrator.
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(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed
was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la As-San`ani that
he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran Ibn Jarir
who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) took
from every living creature a covenant. So when any person gets afflicted with
anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that covenant and the person recovers.
Unfortunately, the people added to this sorcery and magic and said: this is what
Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed
His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely
of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are
only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And
from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation
between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone
except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and
profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic)
would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for
which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after
Al-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining
to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying:
one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying.
And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn
Bshshar Al-Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al-
Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman
(Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew
sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman.
That was a summary of the sayings and narrations of the godly earlier
scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction
between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of
His!
Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave
out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e.
the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and
rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the
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Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and
related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}.
It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud
(Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of Musa
(Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa (Peace be
upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not thought about the
group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When
they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight
in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if
fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight
in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our
children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting
was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And
Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al-
Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in which, {and Dawud (David)
killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom
[after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah
(Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed}. (Al-Baqarah,
251) and, the people of Salih who existed before Ibrahim (Peace be upon him)
said to their Prophet Salih: {You are only of those bewitched!}. (Ash-Shu'
ara', 153)
Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon
to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels)
taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these
(angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between
man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed
magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah
belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His
Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael
has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be
upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic
is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that
the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and
Marut.
The Related Hadith
(And Comments)
Narrated Imam Ahmed (May Allah rest his soul) in his Musnad: I was told by
Yahya Ibn Bakir after Zuhair Ibn Muhammad after Musa Ibn Iubair after Nafi
after `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that he heard
Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: "When Adam (Peace be upon
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him) was put down on earth, the angels said: 0 Lord! {Will You place therein
those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, -while we glorify
You with praises and thanks and sanctify You}. (Al-Baqarah, 30) They
continued: Our Lord! We obey You more than man does. Allah the Almighty said
to them: Appoint two angels from amongst you to descend to earth. The angels
said: Our Lord! (We chose) Harut and Marut. They went down to earth where
the flower appeared to them in the form of the most beautiful woman on earth.
They asked her to have sexual intercourse with them. But, she said: only after
you disbelieve in Allah. They refused and she went away for a while. Then, she
came back holding a child in her arms and they asked her for the second time.
She said: first, you must kill this boy. They refused to and she went away for a
while and then, came back holding a glass of wine. They asked her for the third
time. She said: First, you must drink this glass of wine. They drank the wine,
committed adultery with her and finally killed the boy. When they restored their
conscience, the woman said: By Allah! After you had drunk the wine, you
committed all that which you refused to do at first. Thereupon, they were given
the choice between receiving the torment of this like or that of the Hereafter.
They' chose that of the present life."
(Narrated by Imam Ahmed) The same was narrated by Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban in
his Sahih after Al-Hasan after Sufyan after Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah after Yahya
Ibn Bakir. However, this Hadith is an Unfamiliar3 one from this Chain of
Transmission.
All its narrators are trustworthy but the one named Musa Ibn Iubair.
magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but
they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they
learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they
knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the
Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own
selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded
themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have
been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102,
103)
Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May
Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah's Statement {They followed
what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the
lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the
Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that
came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither
of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said,
"We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from
us).”...} When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among mankind
and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah restored to
Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the Straight Path once
again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he buried underneath his
throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) died. In no time, the men
and the Jinn uncovered the buried scriptures and said: This was a book revealed
by Allah to Sulaiman who hid it from us. They took it as their religion and Allah
the Almighty revealed His Saying: {And when there came to them a
Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those
who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind
their backs as if they did not know!}. (Al-Baqarah, 101) and they followed
what the devils gave out, i.e. musical instruments, play and all that blocks the
remembrance of Allah.
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by Abu Sa' id Al-Ashaj after Abu Usamah
after Al-A' mash after Al-Minhal after Sa'id Ibn Jubair after Ibn `Abbas (May Allah
be pleased with him) as saying: Asif was Sulaiman's scribe. He knew the
Greatest Name of Allah and used to write what he was ordered to by Sulaiman,
then, bury it underneath the throne. After Sulaiman's death, the devils got it out
and wrote between each two lines magical and blasphemous things. They said:
"this is what Sulaiman used to apply and act upon." The ignorant among the
people regarded Sulaiman as a disbeliever and continued to insult him till
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent with the Glorious Qur'an that reads:
{They followed what the, Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the
magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Abu As-Sa'ib Salamah Ibn Junadah As-
Sawa'i after Abu Mu`awiyah after Al-A`mash after Al-Minhal after Sa`id Ibn
Jubair on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying:
When Sulaiman wanted to answer the call of nature or to make love with any of
his wives, he used to give his ring to a woman called Al-Jaradah. When Allah the
Almighty wanted to afflict Sulaiman, he gave his ring to that woman. Afterwards,
Satan came to her in the form of Sulaiman and took the ring from her. When
Satan put the ring on, all mankind, the jinn and Devils submitted to him. Then,
Sulaiman came seeking his ring from her and she said: "You are a liar, you are
not Sulaiman." Thus, Sulaiman knew that it was a test from Allah the Almighty.
Upon this, the devils were free to do whatever they wished. So, they wrote down
books of black magic and blasphemy which they buried underneath the throne of
Sulaiman. After Sulaiman's death, they uncovered these books and said to the
people: Verily, Sulaiman used to prevail with the help of these books.
Consequently, the people declared their innocence of Sulaiman and declared him
to be a disbeliever till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
who came with the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {Sulaiman did not disbelieve,
but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}. Then, Ibn Jarir said: I was told by
Ibn Hamid after Jarir after Husain Ibn `Abdur Rahman after `Imran as saying:
While we were with Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them), a man came
and Ibn `Abbas asked him: Where do you come from? The man said: from Iraq.
Ibn `Abbas asked: which city? The man said: Kufa. Ibn `Abbas asked: What is
the latest news there? The man said: I left them talking about `Ali's departing
for them. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: how dare you say
so! If we felt that (he is departing us for the people of Kufa), we would not
marry his women, or divide his properties among us. However, I will tell you the
truth: the angels used to descend on the clouds and mention this or that matter
decreed in the Heaven. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, come down
to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the latter would add to it one hundred lies
of their own. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Allah the
Almighty informed Sulaiman with the matter and enabled him to bury these lies
under his throne. After his death, one of the devils said: I can lead you to
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Sulaiman's dearest and most precious treasure. It is under his throne.
Consequently, they uncovered it and said: this is magic. Afterwards, it continued
to be copied and acted upon and what the Iraqi people practice nowadays is
nothing but its remnants. Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what
the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "
And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause
separation between man, and his wife, but they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them
and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}.
As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman
(Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils)
disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels
concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine
ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the
latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them
trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on
used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to
write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the
Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings
and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to
even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would
behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman's
death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form
of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting
treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman's throne
and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and
found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman
could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was
rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel
kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They
followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but
the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.
Narrated Ar-Rabi' Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask
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him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them.
Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better
than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His
Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely
of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under
Sulaiman's throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen.
When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying:
this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they
went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.
Mujahid said pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the
Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to
listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard twohundred
lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they
regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.
Sa'id Ibn Jubair said: Sulaiman used to look for and capture the magic of the
devils and keep it buried under his throne. The devils could not reach it and thus
they inspired to the people that it is the knowledge with which Sulaiman was
able to overcome the Jinn, the wind, etc., and that it is buried under his own
throne. Afterwards, the people got it out and practiced it. Later, the people of
the Hejaz said: Sulaiman used to practice sorcery. Upon this, Allah the Almighty
revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman
did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men
magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels,
Harut and Marut}. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Yasar said: when the devils
knew of the death of Sulaiman, they wrote down types of sorcery (magic) as
thus: to fulfill such and such matters, practice such and such (procedures). They
gathered all these in a book and sealed it with a ring bearing the inscription
found on Sulaiman's ring and titled it with: This is what was written by Asif Ibn
Barkhiya by order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud. Then, they buried it under the
throne (of Sulaiman). After some time, the Children of Israel got it out and said:
Verily, Sulaiman ruled over us only with this and they diffused sorcery among the
people. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned Sulaiman Ibn
Dawud as one of the former Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty, the Jews in
Madinah said: Amazingly Muhammad claims that Sulaiman Ibn Dawud was a
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Prophet, by Allah, he was nothing but a sorcerer. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty
revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman
did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men
magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels,
Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but
they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they
learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they
knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the
Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own
selves, if they but knew).
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Al-Qasim after Hussein Ibn Al-Hajjaj after
Abu Bakr after Shahr Ibn Hawshab2 as saying: The devils used to write sorcery
down when Sulaiman was absent. "They wrote: whosoever wants to do such and
such, he should stand facing the sun and say such and such. And, whosoever
wants to do such and such, he should stand giving his back to the sun and say
such and such." They wrote this in a book titled: "This is what has been written
by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by the order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud: from the
treasures of knowledge." Then, they buried it under Sulaiman's throne. When
Sulaiman died, Satan established himself as an orator and said: "O people!
Sulaiman was not a prophet; he was only a sorcerer! Go and seek his sorcery in
his dwellings and luggage." And he led them to the buried "treasure". The people
said: "By Allah! Sulaiman was a sorcerer who subjected us through his magic."
The believers from among them said: "Nay, he was a faithful Prophet." When
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent and he mentioned Dawud
and Sulaiman, the Jews said: "Muhammad confounds the truth with falsehood:
he puts Sulaiman with the Prophets while he was just a sorcerer who was carried
by the wind. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what
the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin
(devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came
down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marutbut neither of
these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We
are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).
"And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause
separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them
and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
2 Shahr Ibn Hawshab is a Weak (i.e. not trustworthy) Narrator.
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(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed
was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la As-San`ani that
he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran Ibn Jarir
who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) took
from every living creature a covenant. So when any person gets afflicted with
anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that covenant and the person recovers.
Unfortunately, the people added to this sorcery and magic and said: this is what
Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed
His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely
of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut
and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are
only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And
from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation
between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone
except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and
profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic)
would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for
which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after
Al-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining
to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out
(falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying:
one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying.
And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn
Bshshar Al-Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al-
Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman
(Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in
the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew
sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman.
That was a summary of the sayings and narrations of the godly earlier
scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction
between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of
His!
Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave
out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e.
the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and
rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the
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Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin
(devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and
related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}.
It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud
(Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of Musa
(Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa (Peace be
upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not thought about the
group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When
they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight
in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if
fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight
in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our
children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting
was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And
Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al-
Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in which, {and Dawud (David)
killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom
[after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah
(Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed}. (Al-Baqarah,
251) and, the people of Salih who existed before Ibrahim (Peace be upon him)
said to their Prophet Salih: {You are only of those bewitched!}. (Ash-Shu'
ara', 153)
Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon
to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels)
taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these
(angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between
man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed
magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah
belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His
Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael
has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be
upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic
is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that
the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and
Marut.
The Related Hadith
(And Comments)
Narrated Imam Ahmed (May Allah rest his soul) in his Musnad: I was told by
Yahya Ibn Bakir after Zuhair Ibn Muhammad after Musa Ibn Iubair after Nafi
after `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that he heard
Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: "When Adam (Peace be upon
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him) was put down on earth, the angels said: 0 Lord! {Will You place therein
those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, -while we glorify
You with praises and thanks and sanctify You}. (Al-Baqarah, 30) They
continued: Our Lord! We obey You more than man does. Allah the Almighty said
to them: Appoint two angels from amongst you to descend to earth. The angels
said: Our Lord! (We chose) Harut and Marut. They went down to earth where
the flower appeared to them in the form of the most beautiful woman on earth.
They asked her to have sexual intercourse with them. But, she said: only after
you disbelieve in Allah. They refused and she went away for a while. Then, she
came back holding a child in her arms and they asked her for the second time.
She said: first, you must kill this boy. They refused to and she went away for a
while and then, came back holding a glass of wine. They asked her for the third
time. She said: First, you must drink this glass of wine. They drank the wine,
committed adultery with her and finally killed the boy. When they restored their
conscience, the woman said: By Allah! After you had drunk the wine, you
committed all that which you refused to do at first. Thereupon, they were given
the choice between receiving the torment of this like or that of the Hereafter.
They' chose that of the present life."
(Narrated by Imam Ahmed) The same was narrated by Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban in
his Sahih after Al-Hasan after Sufyan after Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah after Yahya
Ibn Bakir. However, this Hadith is an Unfamiliar3 one from this Chain of
Transmission.
All its narrators are trustworthy but the one named Musa Ibn Iubair.
Allah Almighty says: {But neither of these
two taught anyone (such
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us) "}, Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)
said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to
3 The Unfamiliar Hadith: That is narrated only by one narrator even if he were in one class. Many scholars
name the Unfamiliar Hadith as (the Single). (Translator)
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him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic
from us)}, that they knew what is good, bad, belief and disbelief and thus they
knew that magic is of disbelief. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)
continued: if they could not dissuade him, they told him to go to such and such
place. There he could find Satan who teaches him. The same time one is taught
magic, his belief (symbolized as light) gets out of his body and he could see it
flying away in the sky. Upon this, he would say: woe to me! In addition: Al-
Hasan Al-Basri said: the two angels were sent with magic to teach the people as
a test for them and Allah took their covenant that they do not teach anybody
{till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning
this magic from us)"}. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim)
Narrated Qatadah: The Covenant was taken from them that they don't teach
anyone till they say: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning
this magic from us)}. Moreover, As-Sadiy said: they used to warn anyone who
came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}. But, if he insisted, they
would say: Go to that pile of ashes and "squeeze the lemon thereon". If the man
goes and does what he was ordered, he would see a light coming out of that
ashes and flies till it reaches the sky -verily, this is belief. Instead, there would
come a black object that would look like smokes and enters his ears and the
whole of his body -verily, this is Allah's Wrath. After that, the man tells them of
what happened and they consequently teaches him magic. This is the
interpretation of Allah's Saying: {But neither of these two (angels) taught
anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these
(angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between
man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by
Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them
not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no
share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they
sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
In the interpretation of this Qur'anic Verse, Sunaid Ibn Hajjaj narrates after
Ibn Juraij his saying: there is no one who practices magic but a disbeliever. As
for the word "trial", it means a test and an ordeal. Some scholars found a textual
proof in this Verse that whosoever practices magic; he becomes a disbeliever.
This is supported by the Prophetic Hadith that has been narrated by Al-Hafiz Abu
Bakr Al-Bazzar after Muhammad Ibn Al-Muthanna after Mu'awiyah after Al-
A'mash after Ibrahim after Hammam on the authority of 'Abdullah as saying:
"Whosoever attends himself to (or comes to) a soothsayer or a magician and
believes in what he says: he will become a disbeliever in what has been sent to
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ". (An Authentic Hadith)
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Allah the Almighty says: {And from these (angels) people learn that by
which they cause separation between man and his wife}, i.e. the people
learns from Harut and Marut the magic by which they cause separation between
man and his wife though they (the man and his wife) have some kind of affinity
and passion. This is caused by cunning of the devils as transmitted in Imam
Muslim's Sahih from the Hadith narrated by Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) says: "Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends
detachments (for creating dissension); the nearer to him in rank are those who
are most notorious in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: I did so
and so. And he says: You have done nothing. Then one amongst them comes
and says: I did not spare so and so until I sowed the seed of discord between a
husband and a wife. The Satan goes near him and says: 'You have done well.
"Al-A'mash said: "He then embraces him." The dissension between a husband
and his wife can be created through magic in that the devil let each one of them
imagine something bad -a view, or manner, etc. -about the other.
Allah the Almighty says: {But they could not thus harm anyone except
by Allah's Leave}, Abu Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Decree. In addition, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: they
could not thus harm anyone except in case Allah enables them to do so.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: {But they could
not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, i.e. whomsoever Allah
wants to be affected, he will be affected. And, whomsoever Allah does not want
to be affected, he will not be affected. In addition, they cannot harm anyone
except by Allah's Leave and Decree.
Allah the Almighty says: {And they learn that which harms them and
profits them not}, i.e. they learn that which harms their religion and faith and
profits them not. Allah says: {And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}, i.e. the Jews who took
magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) knew that
anyone who did as what they have done, he would have not share in the
Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {And how bad indeed was that for which
they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed
and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far
better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!},
that they took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon
him), {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and
kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from
their Lord} , i. e. if they had believed in Allah and His Messengers and did not
violate His Boundaries, they would have received a far better reward from Allah
Almighty. This is compatible with Allah's Saying that reads: {But those who
had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward
of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do
things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us) "}, Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)
said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to
3 The Unfamiliar Hadith: That is narrated only by one narrator even if he were in one class. Many scholars
name the Unfamiliar Hadith as (the Single). (Translator)
www.islambasics.com
him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic
from us)}, that they knew what is good, bad, belief and disbelief and thus they
knew that magic is of disbelief. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)
continued: if they could not dissuade him, they told him to go to such and such
place. There he could find Satan who teaches him. The same time one is taught
magic, his belief (symbolized as light) gets out of his body and he could see it
flying away in the sky. Upon this, he would say: woe to me! In addition: Al-
Hasan Al-Basri said: the two angels were sent with magic to teach the people as
a test for them and Allah took their covenant that they do not teach anybody
{till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning
this magic from us)"}. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim)
Narrated Qatadah: The Covenant was taken from them that they don't teach
anyone till they say: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning
this magic from us)}. Moreover, As-Sadiy said: they used to warn anyone who
came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}. But, if he insisted, they
would say: Go to that pile of ashes and "squeeze the lemon thereon". If the man
goes and does what he was ordered, he would see a light coming out of that
ashes and flies till it reaches the sky -verily, this is belief. Instead, there would
come a black object that would look like smokes and enters his ears and the
whole of his body -verily, this is Allah's Wrath. After that, the man tells them of
what happened and they consequently teaches him magic. This is the
interpretation of Allah's Saying: {But neither of these two (angels) taught
anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so
disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these
(angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between
man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by
Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them
not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no
share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they
sold their own selves, if they but knew}.
In the interpretation of this Qur'anic Verse, Sunaid Ibn Hajjaj narrates after
Ibn Juraij his saying: there is no one who practices magic but a disbeliever. As
for the word "trial", it means a test and an ordeal. Some scholars found a textual
proof in this Verse that whosoever practices magic; he becomes a disbeliever.
This is supported by the Prophetic Hadith that has been narrated by Al-Hafiz Abu
Bakr Al-Bazzar after Muhammad Ibn Al-Muthanna after Mu'awiyah after Al-
A'mash after Ibrahim after Hammam on the authority of 'Abdullah as saying:
"Whosoever attends himself to (or comes to) a soothsayer or a magician and
believes in what he says: he will become a disbeliever in what has been sent to
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ". (An Authentic Hadith)
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Allah the Almighty says: {And from these (angels) people learn that by
which they cause separation between man and his wife}, i.e. the people
learns from Harut and Marut the magic by which they cause separation between
man and his wife though they (the man and his wife) have some kind of affinity
and passion. This is caused by cunning of the devils as transmitted in Imam
Muslim's Sahih from the Hadith narrated by Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) says: "Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends
detachments (for creating dissension); the nearer to him in rank are those who
are most notorious in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: I did so
and so. And he says: You have done nothing. Then one amongst them comes
and says: I did not spare so and so until I sowed the seed of discord between a
husband and a wife. The Satan goes near him and says: 'You have done well.
"Al-A'mash said: "He then embraces him." The dissension between a husband
and his wife can be created through magic in that the devil let each one of them
imagine something bad -a view, or manner, etc. -about the other.
Allah the Almighty says: {But they could not thus harm anyone except
by Allah's Leave}, Abu Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Decree. In addition, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: they
could not thus harm anyone except in case Allah enables them to do so.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: {But they could
not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, i.e. whomsoever Allah
wants to be affected, he will be affected. And, whomsoever Allah does not want
to be affected, he will not be affected. In addition, they cannot harm anyone
except by Allah's Leave and Decree.
Allah the Almighty says: {And they learn that which harms them and
profits them not}, i.e. they learn that which harms their religion and faith and
profits them not. Allah says: {And indeed they knew that the buyers of it
(magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}, i.e. the Jews who took
magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) knew that
anyone who did as what they have done, he would have not share in the
Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {And how bad indeed was that for which
they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed
and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far
better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!},
that they took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon
him), {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and
kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from
their Lord} , i. e. if they had believed in Allah and His Messengers and did not
violate His Boundaries, they would have received a far better reward from Allah
Almighty. This is compatible with Allah's Saying that reads: {But those who
had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward
of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do
righteous good deeds, and this none shall
attain except those who are
As Sabirun (the patient in following the truth) "}. (Al-Qasas, 80)
Some scholars found textual proof that a magician is a disbeliever in the
Qur'anic Verse that reads: {And if they had believed and guarded
themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah}. Other scholars viewed
that a magician is not a disbeliever, but his neck must be cut off. `Amr Ibn Dianr
narrated from Bajabla Ibn `Abdah as saying: `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab ordered
every magician and witch to be killed. Thereupon, they killed three witches. In
addition, it is true that the Mother of the Faithful, Hafsah was bewitched by a
maid. Consequently, Hafsah ordered that she had to be killed. Moreover, Imam
Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said: it was transmitted from three of the Prophet's
Companions that a magician must be killed. Besides, At-Tirmidhi narrated from
Isma'il Ibn Muslim after Al-Hasan after Jundub Al-Azdi as saying: Allah's
Messenger (Peace be upon him) says: "The Prescribed Penalty set for a magician
is a blow with the sword.”
It was narrated that Al-Walid Ibn 'Uqbah had a magician who used to
make shows before him. He used to cut off a man's head, then calls it to get
back to its proper place. The people said: Glory be to Allah! The magician revives
the dead. However, a man from the pious migrants saw him and intended
something. The next day he came and cut the magician's head and said: if he is
truthful, he can revive himself! And, he recited Allah's Statement that reads:
{Will you submit to magic while you see it}. (Al-Anbiya', 4) Consequently,
Al-Walid raged because the migrant did not ask for his permission first (to kill the
magician), he imprisoned him for a while, then set him free. Allah knows best!
Imam Abu Bakr Al-Khallal said: One of the princes used to have a magician
who makes shows of his magic and one day Jundub came and killed him saying:
I believe he was a magician.
As Sabirun (the patient in following the truth) "}. (Al-Qasas, 80)
Some scholars found textual proof that a magician is a disbeliever in the
Qur'anic Verse that reads: {And if they had believed and guarded
themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah}. Other scholars viewed
that a magician is not a disbeliever, but his neck must be cut off. `Amr Ibn Dianr
narrated from Bajabla Ibn `Abdah as saying: `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab ordered
every magician and witch to be killed. Thereupon, they killed three witches. In
addition, it is true that the Mother of the Faithful, Hafsah was bewitched by a
maid. Consequently, Hafsah ordered that she had to be killed. Moreover, Imam
Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said: it was transmitted from three of the Prophet's
Companions that a magician must be killed. Besides, At-Tirmidhi narrated from
Isma'il Ibn Muslim after Al-Hasan after Jundub Al-Azdi as saying: Allah's
Messenger (Peace be upon him) says: "The Prescribed Penalty set for a magician
is a blow with the sword.”
It was narrated that Al-Walid Ibn 'Uqbah had a magician who used to
make shows before him. He used to cut off a man's head, then calls it to get
back to its proper place. The people said: Glory be to Allah! The magician revives
the dead. However, a man from the pious migrants saw him and intended
something. The next day he came and cut the magician's head and said: if he is
truthful, he can revive himself! And, he recited Allah's Statement that reads:
{Will you submit to magic while you see it}. (Al-Anbiya', 4) Consequently,
Al-Walid raged because the migrant did not ask for his permission first (to kill the
magician), he imprisoned him for a while, then set him free. Allah knows best!
Imam Abu Bakr Al-Khallal said: One of the princes used to have a magician
who makes shows of his magic and one day Jundub came and killed him saying:
I believe he was a magician.
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