Spells and Sorcery.Part2

Prayer is a form of worship rewarded primarily in the Hereafter. For this reason, we must not say that our prayers are not answered when we do not receive that for which we prayed. Just because a prayer is “answered” does not mean that it is “accepted” in all circumstances. There is an answer for every prayer, but its acceptance and answer depend on God’s Wisdom. Suppose a sick child asks a doctor for a certain kind of medicine. The doctor either will give that medicine or something better, or will give no medicine at all, especially if there is some reason to think that it will harm the child.

Similarly, God Almighty, the All-Hearing and All-Seeing, answers His servants’ prayers and changes the depression of loneliness into the pleasure of His Company. But His answer does not depend on our fancies; rather, it depends on Divine Wisdom, according to which He either gives what is requested or what is better, or He gives nothing at all. However He answers, we must pray.

As we pray for ourselves, we also must request those who we believe to be near to God to pray for us. The Companions frequently asked the Prophet to pray for them. As recorded by Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, al-Tabarani, and Umm Hani: An insane child was brought to God’s Messenger, who touched him and said: “Come out, O enemy of God.” Then, he washed the child’s face and prayed. The child recovered. Many similar cases are narrated in the Bible. The Prophet Jesus, upon him be peace, was famous for healing the insane by God’s permission and power.

Avoiding Exorcists. Some people go to exorcists. Although a few people might know how to drive out evil spirits, such activity is usually quite dangerous, for most exorcists deceive people. In addition, an exorcist must be very careful about his or her religious obligations, refrain from sin, and be an upright person who really knows what he or she is doing. Patients usually rely on exorcists and attribute their recovery to them, and also rely on the written charm or amulets they are advised to carry. However, our Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, declared that God would admit into Paradise 70,000 people without calling them to account for their deeds. These people would be those who do not wear armlets or amulets, who do not consider things auspicious or inauspicious, and who trust completely in God.

Consulting Believing Psychiatrists. Believers should not go to psychiatrists or doctors who restrict themselves to a materialist view of existence. Such psychiatrists, who do not believe in the spirit and spirit beings, may advise patients suffering from spiritual dissatisfaction or spirit possession to indulge themselves in pleasure and amusement. This is like advising thirsty people to quench their thirst with salt water.

Reciting Specific Prayers. God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, mentioned that special prayers should be recited to protect oneself against the evils of Satan and other unbelieving jinn. The Verse of Throne (2:255) is one of them. We also read that: If a stimulus from Satan occurs to you, seek refuge in God immediately (41:36) by saying: “I seek refuge in God from Satan, the accursed.”

As reported by ‘A’isha, the Mother of Believers and one of the Prophet’s wives, God’s Messenger recited the chapters al-Falaq and al-Nas three times every morning and evening, and then breathed into his joined palms and rubbed them against the parts of his body he could reach. He also recited three times every morning and evening: “In the Name of God, whom nothing on the earth and in the heaven can give harm despite His Name, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” This recitation and the following one are among the prayers advised for protection against paralysis: “I seek refuge in all of God’s words from all devils and vermin and from all evil eyes.”

Imam Ghazali advises us to protect ourselves against spells, charms, and evil spirits by reciting: “In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate” once, “God is the Greatest” ten times, and: The magician will not be successful wherever he appears (20:69), and from the evil of blowers upon knots (113:4). Another imam advises us to recite these two verses 19 times after each sip of any liquid.