Question

Is it really true that people can do magic and bring trails and hard times? Was the Prophet saw, really have magic done to him by a jewish lady, any details you know; the sending of Surah Falaq & Naas was to ward of the magic?

People in Pakistan go to a person who will tell you what to do, will also tell who did it, and tell one the exact detail of events happened; also what to give in Sadaqa – kind or cash? Is this always to lead one astray? My daughter says that GOD swt is punishing one party by letting them think that they have power to cause harm-and that this was in one’s destiny to go through these tribulations/and how much we stay strong and steadfast. How would you explain all this? Does it really happen?

“Nazar ” — is it true, please explain?

Answer

Affecting other people’s lives spiritually (i.e. without using any physical weapons) is loosely termed as “Magic”. In this sense, “Magic” has existed and has made its existence felt since time immemorial. There are a few narratives (hadith), which relate to us that some Jewish woman performed magic on the Prophet (pbuh) and that the Prophet was adversely affected by it. However, the Qur’an does not give us this detail. Although there is evidence in the Qur’an that the Jews did try to bring the Prophet (pbuh) under a spell (Al-Baqarah 2: 101 – 103), but the Qur’an, contrary to the narratives, gives a clear impression that the Prophet (pbuh) was guarded by the angels of God and could not have been effected by the negative efforts of the Jews or anyone else.

Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Naas are supplications seeking the protection of God from all kinds of evil, including the evil of Magic. There is absolutely no basis, within the context and words of the Qur’an, to hold the opinion that these Surahs were revealed to ward off some “Magical spell” from the Prophet (pbuh).

Experience shows that humans can be adversely affected by a magical spell performed on them. Such a spell has nothing to do with Islam or religion, in general. Magical spells relate to spiritual sciences. Experts in this field can affect our lives. This affect is psychological in nature. Because of its psychological nature, it can only affect people who have a weak psyche. People with true faith and unerring dependence on God are not affected by such spells. The Qur’an has taught us the most concise supplications (in Al-Falaq and Al-Naas) to seek refuge in the Almighty from all kinds of evils. A person, who asks for God’s help and refuge from the depth of his heart, shall definitely be given the protection of the Most-Powerful and the All-Knowing. It is only our own lack of faith that makes us vulnerable to such spells. Such spells cannot effect people who have given themselves to the protection of the Almighty.

“Nazar“, may also be seen in the light of the above explanation.

Hope it helps

UIUK team