Legal Treatment of Witchcraft:

There is no doubt that Sihr (magic) exists, and some of it is imaginary. However, it is by Allahs permission that it occurs and becomes effective. Thus, Sihr can produce effects, but only by Allah's permission, in terms of His worldly laws and His Divine Destiny. In fact, nothing can exist without His Decree and permission. As for witchcraft, it can be treated and cured. The attempt to bewitch the Prophet is a case in point. When it happened, the magic was uncovered and foiled, and the Prophet was cured of it with Allah's blessing. This implies that once the magic is uncovered, it can be foiled. Whatever evil incantations sorcerers do can never take place or work without the permission of Allah, Who is over everything competent. Concerning treatment, the patient can treat himself with, Ruqya if he is mentally well, or somebody else can perform the Ruqya unto him. The Raqi does Nafth unto the patient's chest or some other body parts, reciting the following: The Suras of AI-Fatihah, AI-Ikhlaas, AI-Falaq, An-Nas and AlKafirun, and AI-Kursi; Al-Araf: 117-119; Yunus:79-82; Taha: 65-69. It is recommended that AI-Ikhlaas, AI-Falaq and An-Nas Suras be recited three times. Then, the Raqi should pray for the patient with the following words from Hadith: "O Allah, Lord of mankind! I beg You to remove the suffering. I beg You, as You are the Healer, and there is no healing but Yours, to bring about a healing that leaves behind no ailment." (See Hadith 1) He should also say this Ruqya three times: "In the name of Allah I am performing this Ruqya unto you to get rid of what is harming you, of the evil of all souls and the effects of evil eyes. May Allah bring about healing. In the name of Allah I am performing this Ruqya unto." (See Hadith 2) It is also recommended, while praying for the patient's healing, to say these prayers, preferably three times: "I seek refuge for you in Allah's perfect Words from the evil of what He has created." (See Hadith 3) The Ruqya described above is a useful treatment. It can also be performed onto water from which the bewitched patient drinks and washes his body. It can -by Allah's permission -remove the effects of witchcraft. Adding to the water ground green Sidr leaves can have a healing effect, for this has been tried a lot, and we have found it useful -by Allah's permission in several cases. This Ruqya has proved effective in the treatment not only of bewitchment cases, but also of Rabt cases. In the latter cases, a husband cannot have an erection during intercourse due to the effect of magic. If the husband (called the Marbut) performs that Ruqya unto himself or has it performed unto him with or without water, the Ruqya will- by Allah's permission be beneficial. Such treatment with Ruqya is a means to cure; but it is only Allah Who brings about cure, and He is over everything competent; with Him are both the disease and the cure, and nothing occurs without His Decree or Destiny. The Prophet said, "Allah has not created a disease without a cure, which becomes known to some while denied the others." This is a blessing from Allah, and He is the One Who guides to the straight path.