The Controversy Surrounding the Prophet's Affliction with Magic: An Analytical Exploration of Historical and Contemporary Perspectives Among Islamic Scholars

Authors

  • Habiburrahaman Rizapoor Lecturer at the Islamic Department of the Shariah Faculty of Badakhshan University, Afghanistan
  • Mohammad Tayeb Athar Lecturer at the Jurisprudence and law Department of the Shairah Faculty of Badakhshan University Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v3i2.649

Abstract

This article delves into the contentious issue of whether the Prophet, peace be upon him, was afflicted by magic or not, a topic that has engendered extensive debate among Islamic scholars throughout history and into the present. The prevailing belief among the majority of Muslim scholars is that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was indeed affected by magic. They assert that this conviction is grounded in authentic and reliable narrations, leaving no room for doubt. However, they contend that the impact of magic on the Prophet did not compromise the authenticity of divine revelation. Instead, they likened it to the effects of common illnesses on human beings, solely influencing his soul and body. Conversely, a minority of contemporary scholars, who identify as rationalists and modernists, along with some classical scholars, maintain the view that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was not affected by magic. They argue that the narrations concerning this matter lack authenticity and reliability. Furthermore, they posit that accepting the notion of the Prophet's affliction with magic implies a lack of soundness and trustworthiness in the divine revelation he received during that time, attributing any perceived lapses in his senses to the alleged magical influence. For instance, some narratives indicate that the Prophet believed he had undertaken actions that he had not actually performed. This study adopts an analytical approach to investigate and analyze the subject matter. It relies on a comprehensive collection of academic articles, books, and magazine articles authored by Islamic scholars. By drawing from these reputable sources, the research aims to provide a thorough and rigorous examination of the chosen topic. The inclusion of diverse perspectives and scholarly insights contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the subject, enhancing the credibility and reliability of the study's findings. This research concludes that the prophet Mohammad was bewitched by magic but the magic was not powerful enough to have a destructive effect on his intellect. Furthermore, this magic was unable to have impact on the divine revlation that was revealed to him.

References

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Hakim Al-Nisaburi, Al-Mustadrak 'ala Al-Sahihayn, (Damascus: Dar Al-Manhaj Al-Qawim lil-Nashr wal-Tawzi', Al-Jumhuriyah Al-Arabiyyah As-Suriyyah, 2018).

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn Ayyub Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, Bada'i al-Fawa'id. (Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, 1431).

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, (Damascus: Dar Ibn Kathir, 1993).

Abu al-Fadl Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Taqrib al-Tahdhib, (Syria: Dar al-Rashid, 1986).

Abu Muhammad Muwaffaq al-Din Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Qudamah al-Jamma'i al-Maqdisi, Al-Kafi fi Fiqh al-Imam Ahmad, (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1994).

Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Ibrahim bin Asbat bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim bin Badij Al-Dainuri, Amal Al-Yawm Wal-Laylah Suluk Al-Nabi Ma'a Rabbihi 'Azza Wa Jall Wa Ma'ashiratihi Ma'a Al-'Ibad ,,,, (Bayrut: Dar al-Qibla for Islamic Culture and Institute of Quranic Sciences, 1431).

Ahmad bin Nasser bin Mohammed Al-Hamd, Al-Sihr Bayna al-Haqiqah wa al-Khayal, (Makkah: Maktabat al-Turath,1408).

Ahmad ibn Ali Abu Bakr Al-Razi Al-Hanafi Al-Jassas, Ahkam al-Quran, (Bayrut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, 1994).

Al-Qushayri, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Abu al-Hasan al-Qushayri al-Naysaburi, Sahih Muslim, (Beyrouth: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-Arabi, 1955).

Al-Shinqeeti, Muhammad al-Amin bin Muhammad al-Mukhtar bin Abd al-Qadir, Adwa' al-Bayan fi I'adhah al-Qur'an bi al-Qur'an. (Beyrouth: Dar al-Fikr lil-Taba'a wa al-Nashr wa al-Tawziʻ, 1995)

Hammond, Dorothy 1970. “Magic: A Problem in Semantics.” American Anthropologist, New Series, 72, no. 6,(2007): Pp.1349-1356.

Hilwaha, “Alamat wa Anwa'a Al-Sehr wa 'Ilaj Al-Mas'hur”.( 2019) Accessed on 6/2/2023 from https://www.hellooha.com/

IslamWeb fi maqalatin tahta 'anwan "Shubhah hawl ahadith sihr al-nabi salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam" accessed on 632023 accessed from https://www.islamweb.net/ar/

Mohammad ibn Abdullah Abu Bakr ibn Al-Arabi Al-Ma'afiri Al-Ishbili Al-Maliki, Ahkam al-Quran, (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, 2003).

Mohammad ibn Isa ibn Sawra ibn Musa ibn Al-Dhahak, Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, (Egypt: Mustafa Al-Babi Al-Halabi Publishing & Printing Company, 1975).

Muhammad ibn al-Azraq, fi maqalatihi tahta anwani "Al-Burhan 'ala Batilan Khurafat Sahar Rasool Allah Salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam" 'abra 2020/4/7 accessed from https://www.hespress.com/writers/267117.html

Muhammad Rajab Hamid, tahtu maqalat "Hal sahar al-nabi salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam? Wa kayfa jaza an yusahhar? Wa limadha?" 2018, accessed on 642023 from https://islamsyria.com/ar/

Perho, Irmeli. "Magic in the ḥadīths." Orientalia Suecana 61, no. Supplement (2012): 183-193.

Sørensen, Jesper. “A Cognitive Theory of Magic. Plymouth: Altamira Press”.

Yusuf ibn Muhammad Ali al-Ghufays, Sharh al-Tahawiyyah.

Zayn al-Din Abdul Rahman ibn Ahmed ibn Rajab ibn al-Hasan, al-Salami, Fath al-Bari SharhSahih al-Bukhari, (al-Madina: Maktabat al-Ghuraba al-Athriyya, 1996).

Downloads

Published

2023-10-27

How to Cite

Habiburrahaman Rizapoor, & Mohammad Tayeb Athar. (2023). The Controversy Surrounding the Prophet’s Affliction with Magic: An Analytical Exploration of Historical and Contemporary Perspectives Among Islamic Scholars. International Journal Of Humanities Education and Social Sciences, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v3i2.649

Issue

Section

Social Science