Witchcraft, also known as sihr in Arabic, is a topic that many Muslims ask about. So, is witchcraft haram? Yes, it is absolutely forbidden in Islam. Both the Quran and Hadith strongly condemn it. This article will explore why witchcraft is haram with clear Islamic evidence.
What Is Witchcraft in Islam?
Witchcraft refers to using supernatural forces to affect people, events, or outcomes. This includes casting spells, calling on jinn, or seeking hidden knowledge through rituals. Islam views these actions as acts of disbelief. Engaging in such practices takes a person far from the path of Allah.
Quranic Evidence That Witchcraft Is Haram
The Quran mentions witchcraft in several places. One of the clearest is in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:102):
They followed the magic promoted by the devils during the reign of Solomon. Never did Solomon disbelieve, rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people, along with what had been revealed to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût, in Babylon. The two angels never taught anyone without saying, “We are only a test ˹for you˺, so do not abandon [your] faith.” Yet people learned [magic] that caused a rift [even] between husband and wife; although their magic could not harm anyone except by Allah’s Will. They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them—although they already knew that whoever buys into magic would have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed was the price for which they sold their souls, if only they knew!
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَـٰرُوتَ وَمَـٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌۭ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍۢ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
Quran 2:102
This verse shows that magic is harmful and has no benefit. Allah clearly states that those who practice it follow the path of the devils and will lose their hereafter (Jannah).
Another verse is in Surah Al-Falaq (113:4):
and from the evil of those [witches casting spells by] blowing onto knots,
وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ
Quran 113:4
This refers to a known form of witchcraft, where sorcerers blow on tied knots while reciting spells. Allah teaches us to seek protection from such evil.
These verses confirm that witchcraft is haram and dangerous for the soul and society.
Hadiths That Prove Witchcraft Is Haram
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly warned against witchcraft. In Sahih Bukhari, he said:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” The people enquire, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! What are they? “He said, “To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, (according to Islamic law), to eat up Riba (usury), to eat up an orphan’s wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse, chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ الْمَدَنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” اجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوبِقَاتِ ”. قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَمَا هُنَّ قَالَ ” الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ، وَالسِّحْرُ، وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ، وَأَكْلُ الرِّبَا، وَأَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ، وَالتَّوَلِّي يَوْمَ الزَّحْفِ، وَقَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ الْغَافِلاَتِ ”.
Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 55, Hadith 29
This hadith lists witchcraft as one of the most deadly sins. It is grouped with shirk, which is the greatest sin in Islam. This clearly shows that witchcraft is haram and leads to disbelief if practiced knowingly.
The Ruling of Scholars on Witchcraft
Islamic scholars across all major schools agree: witchcraft is haram without exception. Some scholars even say that a person who practices witchcraft can become a disbeliever. This is because it often involves worshiping jinn or seeking help from other than Allah.
Why Is Witchcraft So Dangerous?
Witchcraft is not just a harmless game. It opens doors to the unseen world in forbidden ways. It can cause real harm to others. More importantly, it corrupts the heart and soul of the one practicing it.
It also leads to reliance on jinn and spirits, rather than placing trust in Allah. This is a major spiritual danger.
What Should Muslims Do If Exposed to Witchcraft?
Islam teaches us to protect ourselves through prayer and remembrance. Reciting Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Naas, and Ayat Al-Kursi regularly provides spiritual protection.
Also, trust only in Allah. Avoid any form of magic, horoscopes, or spell work, even if it seems harmless or “fun”.
If you believe you’ve been affected by witchcraft, consult a qualified ruqyah practitioner. Avoid fortune tellers or fake healers. They often engage in the same haram practices.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, told that Abdullah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: spells, charms and love-potions are polytheism.
I asked: Why do you say this? I swear by Allah, when my eye was discharging I used to go to so-and-so, the Jew, who applied a spell to me. When he applied the spell to me, it calmed down. Abdullah said:
That was just the work of the Devil who was picking it with his hand, and when he uttered the spell on it, he desisted. All you need to do is to say as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say: Remove the harm, O Lord of men, and heal. Thou art the Healer. There is no remedy but Thine which leaves no disease behind.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْجَزَّارِ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي، زَيْنَبَ امْرَأَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ زَيْنَبَ، امْرَأَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ” إِنَّ الرُّقَى وَالتَّمَائِمَ وَالتِّوَلَةَ شِرْكٌ ” . قَالَتْ قُلْتُ لِمَ تَقُولُ هَذَا وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَانَتْ عَيْنِي تَقْذِفُ وَكُنْتُ أَخْتَلِفُ إِلَى فُلاَنٍ الْيَهُودِيِّ يَرْقِينِي فَإِذَا رَقَانِي سَكَنَتْ . فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا ذَاكِ عَمَلُ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ يَنْخَسُهَا بِيَدِهِ فَإِذَا رَقَاهَا كَفَّ عَنْهَا إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكِ أَنْ تَقُولِي كَمَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ” أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا ” .
Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 29, Hadith 29
According to this hadith reciting the following will help heal from infliction of withcraft as the prophet would say this dua.
Remove the harm, O Lord of men, and heal. Thou art the Healer. There is no remedy but Thine which leaves no disease behind.
Adhhibil-ba’sa, Rabban-nās, ishfi Antash-Shāfī, lā shifā’a illā shifā’uka, shifā’an lā yughādiru saqamā.
أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Conclusion: Is Witchcraft Haram?
So, is witchcraft haram? Absolutely, Islam leaves no room for doubt. The Quran, Hadith, and Islamic scholars all confirm that witchcraft is forbidden. It is a grave sin that leads people away from Allah. Every Muslim must avoid it and seek protection through sincere worship and remembrance.
Stay away from all forms of magic. Stay close to Allah and trust in Allah. That is the best protection.
