What is black magic in Islam?
Black magic (sihr) in Islam is sorcery that tries to harm or control people with the help of devils from the jinn, and practising it is one of the major sins. Islam teaches that sihr is real but can only harm by Allah's permission. A Muslim protects themselves with Allah's words, not with counter-spells or charms.
Is black magic real?
Yes. The Quran speaks about sorcery in the time of Prophet Solomon and says devils taught people magic, including how to cause separation between a husband and wife. The same verse puts its power in perspective:
The Prophet ﷺ himself was once affected by sihr done by a man named Labid ibn al-A'sam, until Allah revealed its cause and cured him (Sahih al-Bukhari 5763). Scholars point out that it never touched his message or revelation. It shows that even the best of people can be tested, and that Allah's protection is stronger.
Why is it so serious?
The Prophet ﷺ listed sorcery among the seven destructive sins, right after associating partners with Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari 2766). Most sihr involves serving or calling on devils, which is shirk. That's why the four schools treat learning and practising it as a grave sin, and many scholars count it as disbelief when it involves worshipping other than Allah. Visiting a sorcerer to "undo" magic is also forbidden.
How do I protect myself?
- Morning and evening adhkar, especially Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs.
- Ruqyah with the Quran and authentic duas, which you can do yourself. See What is ruqyah and can I do it myself?
- Seven 'Ajwa dates in the morning: the Prophet ﷺ said whoever eats them will not be harmed by poison or magic that day (Sahih al-Bukhari 5445).
- Trust in Allah. Fear of sihr is often worse than sihr itself.
Is my problem caused by magic?
Probably not. Many people, especially in some cultures, blame illness, a breakup or bad luck on sihr. Scholars and Muslim doctors warn that most symptoms have medical or psychological causes. See a doctor first, follow their advice, and use ruqyah alongside treatment, never instead of it. Be very careful of "spiritual healers" who demand money, ask for your photo or ask you to do strange rituals. See Can jinn or black magic cause mental illness?
Fictional magic in books and films is a separate question. See Can I still watch Harry Potter as a Muslim?
- Sihr is real but harms only by Allah's permission (Quran 2:102).
- It is one of the seven destructive sins (Sahih al-Bukhari 2766).
- Protection: adhkar, ruqyah and trust in Allah, never a sorcerer.
- See a doctor first; don't blame every problem on magic.
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