My students of Sufism have asked me how to deal with magic, black magic and possession by Jinn. I will answer these questions according to what I know.
I understand magic – both white, black, and any color – to be a focusing of the human will, coupled with intention. By the use of ritual and props, the mind can be focused to such an intensity as to manifest a shift or change in the elements of nature. The mind is an extremely powerful tool when focused, but not everyone knows this. Those that do know are people who practice a discipline such as one of the arts, sports, martial arts and the sciences. Many of these people do achieve the same mental focusing as those of the magical arts. However, in magic, the consequences of both the act and intention are extremely dangerous, if not eventually fatal, to the person and their soul.
Magic is an attempt to influence nature, manipulate people for personal reasons. In many cultures, magic is normal and accepted as a natural component of life. Potions, herbs, amulets and services are bought and sold in shops. In other cultures, magic is considered silly or as a primitive and superstitious vestige.
The reality is that we are bombarded by “magical” influences all the time. These attempts at influence arrive as advertisements, songs, pleadings, and campaign speeches. These are the more visible manipulations. We are also being influenced by our own inner voices, called by the sufis nafs – our habits, ideas of right and wrong, good and bad.
In the white or lower magic, there may be attempts to make another person fall in love, lose a job, attain money, or become pregnant. Depending on the culture, this can be done through herbs, recitation, books, teas, singing, dancing, drawing, vigils, or meditation.
In black or high magic, there are attempts to bind Jinn or demons to the sorcerer’s will, and then command the elemental to perform deeds, such as finding hidden gold, stealing precious materials, or creating havoc or death.
Now, according to Islam, this is all shirk – not only is it forbidden, but it is the height of arrogance because you are playing God. You are trying to control something that you really have no right to control, and it is this arrogance that makes you prideful, and forgetful of your Creator and your relationship with God.
Those that study and perform magic often feel a temporary sense of power. This feeling of power is extremely addictive. The practice of magic is also forbidden because this addiction is difficult to quit. It is a trap with severe consequences. Like any hard drug, once you start, you get a rush that you don’t want to lose, and you feel a need to keep coming back to it, and needing a stronger fix to get the same rush. This wanting makes you forget God, and makes you think of only the next time you can do it.
The effect of manipulating people and nature is also creating a mark on your soul. This is a world of cause and effect. You are responsible for your actions. This attempt to manipulate other people will weigh upon your soul, and create darkness in your heart. This darkness, the responsibility of changing the li
Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,
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