Chapter: What Has Been Reported Concerning Magic

Allah the Exalted says, “They were well aware that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter.” (Qur’an, 2:102)

He also says, “They believe in al-jibt and al-tāghūt.” (Qur’an, 4:51)

ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Al-jibt means sorcery, and al-tāghūt means Satan.”

Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The tāghūts are the soothsayers. In every tribe there was one upon whom a devil would descend.”

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Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Monotheism: Because magic is one of the forms of polytheism—indeed, it does not come about without shirk—the author set aside this chapter to clarify the matter and warn against it.

The phrase “what has been reported” refers to the warnings transmitted, the clarification that it contradicts pure monotheism, and the ruling that its practitioner is declared a disbeliever.

As for magic (siḥr) itself:
• Linguistically, it denotes something whose cause is hidden and subtle.
• In the legal sense it consists of incantations, spells, words that are uttered, medicines, smokes, and tied knots that affect hearts and bodies: they may cause illness, death, or create discord between a man and his wife.

“They were well aware”: that is, the Jews who exchanged following the messengers for practicing magic knew full well.

“Whoever purchased it”: meaning whoever was pleased with magic in place of Allah’s law and religion.

“Any share”: any portion or lot (in the Hereafter).