Chapter: Reports concerning al-Nushrah (rituals for lifting sorcery)

On the authority of Jābir: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about al-nushrah and he said, “It is a practice of Satan.” (1) Reported by Ahmad with a good chain and by Abū Dāwūd. When Ahmad was asked about it he replied, “Ibn Masʿūd regarded all of this as reprehensible.”

Connection of the chapter to the Book of Monotheism: After the author discussed the rulings on sorcery and divination, he turns here to what has been recorded about al-nushrah, because it may be carried out by devils and sorcerers and therefore runs counter to pure monotheism.

Al-nushrah is a type of treatment and incantation administered to one who is thought to be under the influence of sorcery. It is so named because it “loosens” and removes the ailment that has beset a person.

“He was asked about al-nushrah”: that is, the nushrah practiced by the people of pre-Islamic ignorance.

“It is a practice of Satan”: because they would relieve the bewitched by means of various kinds of sorcery and satanic manipulations.

“He disliked all of this”: meaning the nushrah that is a work of Satan.

Overall meaning of the hadith: the Prophet ﷺ was asked about treating a person afflicted by sorcery.