People fall into three groups in this matter. One group denies that jinn enter human beings. Another repels them through blameworthy incantations. The former deny what exists, while the latter disobey the One who is worshipped—indeed, they disbelieve in Him. The community that follows the middle way acknowledges what is real and true and believes in the one God who is worshipped. Through worshipping Him, supplicating to Him, remembering Him, and using His names and His words, it repels the devils among humans and jinn.

As for questioning jinn, or questioning those who consult them, this is forbidden if it involves believing everything they report and revering the one being questioned. Thus, it is established in Sahīh Muslim and elsewhere that Mu‘āwiya ibn al-Hakam al-Sulamī said:

“I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, there were things we used to do in the days of ignorance: we used to visit soothsayers.’ He said, ‘Do not visit soothsayers.’”

Also in Sahīh Muslim, through ‘Ubayd Allāh, from Nāfi‘, from Safiyya, from one of the wives of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, it is reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Whoever visits a diviner and asks him about something will have no prayer accepted from him for forty days.”

If, however, someone questions such a person to test him and uncover the truth about him, while possessing the means to distinguish his truthfulness from his lies, this is permissible. Thus, it is established in the two Sahīhs:

“The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, questioned Ibn Sayyād, saying, ‘What comes to you?’ He replied, ‘A truthful one and a liar come to me.’ He asked, ‘What do you see?’ He replied, ‘I see a throne upon the water.’ He said, ‘I have hidden something for you.’ He replied, ‘Al-dukh! Al-dukh!’ He said, ‘Away with you! You will never