Was Allah’s Apostle Affected by Black Magic ?
நபிகள் நாயகம் (ஸல்) அவர்களுக்கு சூனியம் வைக்கப்பட்டதா ? (பதிலின் ஆங்கிலம் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு)
Was Allah’s Apostle Affected by Black Magic ?
Majority of the Muslims believe that a Jew performed black magic against Apostle of Allah and that the Quranic Verses 113 and 114 was revealed by which he was healed. Hence it is essential to understand this in depth.
Black Magic affected Apostle of Allah so much that he used to think that he had done something which in fact, he did not do, and he invoked his Lord (for a remedy).
Then (one day) he said, O ‘Aisha!) Do you know that Allah has advised me as to the problem I consulted Him about? ‘Aisha said, O Allah’s Apostle! What’s that? He said, Two men came to me and one of them sat at my head and the other at my feet, and one of them asked his companion, ‘What is wrong with this man?’ The latter replied, ‘He is under the effect of magic.’ The former asked, ‘Who has worked magic on him?’ The latter replied,
‘Labid bin Al-A’sam.’ The former asked, ‘With what did he work the magic?’ The latter replied, ‘With a comb and the hair, which are stuck to the comb, and the skin of pollen of a date-palm tree.’ The former asked, ‘Where is that?’ The latter replied, ‘It is in Dharwan.’ Dharwan was a well in the dwelling place of the (tribe of) Bani Zuraiq. Allah’s Apostle went to that well and returned to ‘Aisha, saying, ‘By Allah, the water (of the well) was as red as the infusion of Hinna, (1) and the date-palm trees look like the heads of devils.’ ‘Aisha added, Allah’s Apostle came to me and informed me about the well. I asked the Prophet, ‘O Allah’s Apostle, why didn’t you take out the skin of pollen?’ He said, ‘As for me, Allah has cured me and I hated to draw the attention of the people to such evil (which they might learn and harm others with).’ The same message is recorded with minor modifications in these Hadhees:
Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 660 Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 658 Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 661 Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 54 :: Hadith 490
This continued for such and such period imagining that he has slept (had sexual relations)
with his wives, and in fact he did not Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 73 :: Hadith 89. It is mentioned that this stage continued for about 6 months
(Refer Ahmed 23211).
Though all these Hadhees stating Black Magic was done against Allah s Apostle are reported via acceptable chain of narrators, there are some other facts which affirms that such things could not have happened. When Prophet SAW declared himself as Allah s Apostle, disbelievers refused to believe this quoting that Prophet SAW is affected with Black Magic. Quran refutes this offense. Surah:17.Al-Isra’ Verse:47. We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, You follow not but a man affected by magic. Surah: 25.Al-Furqan Verse 8. Or [why is not] a treasure presented to him [from heaven], or does he [not] have a garden from which he eats? And the wrongdoers say, You follow not but a man affected by magic. The above Quranic Verses states that only wrongdoers state that Allah s Apostle is affected by Black Magic. These Verses affirm that greater part of Prophets have been criticized in the same manner: Surah: 26.Ash-Shu’ara’.Verse 153. They said, You are only of those affected by magic.
Surah: 26.Ash-Shu’ara’.Verse 185.
They said, You are only of those affected by magic.
Surah: 17.Al-Isra’ Verse 101.
And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs, so ask the Children of Israel [about] when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, Indeed I think, O Moses, that you are affected by magic. These verses address that Black magic cannot affect Prophets especially Prophet Muhammad SAW and also state that those claiming so are wrongdoers/disbelievers. Moreover, Hadhees stating that Allah s Apostle was affected with black magic claims that he was affected mentally. Physical damage can be discarded but mental damage cannot be treated as simple. Thinking that he had done something which in fact, he did not do and imagining that he has slept (had sexual relations) with his wives, and in fact he did not shows severe damage to mental health. Had Allah s apostle being pushed to an extent where he is unaware of what he does is true, Wahi : Quranic revelation and his speech during these 6 months will become uncertain. This will lead to doubt each and every Quranic Verse. Questions will arise Why can t this be revealed during those 6 months? . Similar questions will arise for every Hadhees. But Allah assures that He Himself will protect this Religion, this Quran. Surah: 15.Al-Hijr Verse 9. Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur an and indeed, We will be its guardian. Guarding Quran refers to initially guard the Mental health of One who brought it. Had Allah s Apostle s mental health not protected, it would lead to a state where Quran is not protected. Due to this also, it can be inferred that Allah s Apostle cannot have been affected with Black Magic. Allah nominates his Messengers from Human. The reason behind the offenders for not accepting them as Apostles of Allah was that all the prophets were sent with Human nature, were human beings like them, and eats like them and leads a family life. It is quite natural not to accept a Human, who is like them, as a Prophet of Allah. Hence all Prophets were sent with Miracles to prove themselves. None of the Prophets were sent without Miracles. Surah: 3.Al-‘ImranVerse: 184.
Then if they deny you, [O Muhammad] – so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture.
Surah:7.Al-A’raf. Verse: 101. Those cities – We relate to you, [O Muhammad], some of their news. And certainly did their messengers come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus does Allah seal over the hearts of the disbelievers. Surah: 9.At-Taubah. Verse : 70. Has there not reached them the news of those before them – the people of Noah and [the tribes of] Aad and Thamud and the people of Abraham and the companions of Madyan and the towns overturned? Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. And Allah would never have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves. Surah: 10.Yunus. Verse: 13. And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people. Surah: 10.Yunus. Verse: 74. Then We sent after him messengers to their peoples, and they came to them with clear proofs. But they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus We seal over the hearts of the transgressors. Surah: 35.Fatir. Verse: 25. And if they deny you – then already have those before them denied. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs and written ordinances and with the enlightening Scripture. Surah:40.Ghafir. Verse : 22. That was because their messengers were coming to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so Allah seized them. Indeed, He is Powerful and severe in punishment. Surah: 40.Ghafir. Verse: 50. They will say, Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs? They will say, Yes. They will reply, Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error. Surah: 57.Al-Hadid. Verse: 25. We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. Surah: 64.At-Taghabun. Verse: 6. That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said, Shall human beings guide us? and disbelieved and turned away. And Allah dispensed [with them]; and Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. When Prophets could prove their Prophet-hood only by miracles, people won t believe in the miracles of Prophets if non-Prophets and enemies of Allah perform miracles like the Prophets. They would ask: your enemy also does like you. On thinking based on this fundamental, we may infer that Allah s Apostle being affected with Black magic wouldn t be possible. It would have been a miracle if hiding some things in some well could change the Mindset of Allah s Apostle. Had this been true, people would have rejected Prophet Muhammad SAW citing this. They would have even questioned We haven t seen Allah nominating you as Prophet. We believed your prophet-hood only because of few miracles you performed. Now that your enemies have toppled you with their miracles, how do we accept you as Prophet? But nothing has happened like that. Since, Allah would not leave people astray by executing such event, it is understood that Prophet SAW was not affected by Black Magic. Moreover when Prophet Moses (PBUH), declared himself as Allah s Apostle, enemies told that as Magic, made him contest against Magicians. While describing the Magicians who competed against Moses (PBUH), Allah says They presented a Great (feat of ) Magic.
Surah:7.Al-A’raf. Verse: 116.
He said, Throw, and when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic. Quran also says what their Great Magic could do:
Surah: 20.Ta-Ha. Verse: 66.
He said, Rather, you throw. And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes]. 20:69
says that it is their trick:
Surah: 20.Ta-Ha.Verse:69. And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is. Magic could only deceive eyes, in reality, it cannot change anything. But, Hadhees stating that Allah s Apostle s Mindset got affected with Black Magic is against this. Moreover when Prophets performed miracles, Enemies pointed it as Black Magic. Surah: 5.Al-Ma’idah. Verse: 110. [The Day] when Allah will say, O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, This is not but obvious magic. Surah: 6.Al-An’am. Verse: 7. And even if We had sent down to you, [O Muhammad], a written scripture on a page and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would say, This is not but obvious magic. Surah: 10.Yunus. Verse: 2. Have the people been amazed that We revealed [revelation] to a man from among them, [saying], Warn mankind and give good tidings to those who believe that they will have a [firm] precedence of honor with their Lord ? [But] the disbelievers say, Indeed, this is an obvious magician. Surah: 10.Yunus. Verse: 76. So when there came to them the truth from Us, they said, Indeed, this is obvious magic. Surah: 15.Al-Hijr. Verse: 15. They would say, Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic. Surah: 21.Al-Anbiya’. Verse: 3. With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]? Surah: 10.Yunus. Verse: 77. Moses said, Do you say [thus] about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic? But magicians will not succeed. Surah:27.An-Naml. Verse: 13. But when there came to them Our visible signs, they said, This is obvious magic. Surah: 28.Al-Qasas. Verse: 36. But when Moses came to them with Our signs as clear evidences, they said, This is not except invented magic, and we have not heard of this [religion] among our forefathers. Surah: 34.Saba . Verse: 43. And when our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, they say, This is not but a man who wishes to avert you from that which your fathers were worshipping. And they say, This is not except a lie invented. And those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them, This is not but obvious magic. Surah: 37.As-Saffat. Verse: 15. And say, This is not but obvious magic. Surah: 40.Ghafir. Verse: 30. And he who believed said, O my people, indeed I fear for you [a fate] like the day of the companies Surah: 46.Al-Ahqaf.Verse: 7. And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them, This is obvious magic. Surah: 54.Al-Qamar. Verse: 2. And if they see a miracle, they turn away and say, Passing magic. Surah: 74.Al-Muddaththir. Verse: 24. And said, This is not but magic imitated [from others]. Surah: 61.As-Saff. Verse: 6. And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad. But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, This is obvious magic. The above cited Hadhees states that people refused the Miracles by blaming it as Magic. Since they themselves believed that Magic is a trick of showing something which is not there. They believed that Real Miracle is different and Fake Magic is different. From this, it is obvious that Magic will have no effect physically and mentally. The Hadhees is in opposition to this as well. What do we do in this stage? There is no doubt that Hadhees are also sole attestation of Dheen just like Quran. However, very few Hadhees are not linkable in anyway with Quran. Less than 50 Acceptable Hadhees fall into this category. Accepting them as such would lead to deny many Quranic Verses. To avoid this, such Hadhees are held. It cannot be stated that we would accept these Hadhees even if Quran is denied. For instance we may indicate one such Hadhees: Aisha Narrated that It is revealed in Holy Quran that fosterage is applicable only if a baby had ten clear sucklings and then changed to five sucklings and Allah s Apostle died while reciting. Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3422 ‘Amra reported that she beard ‘A’isha (Allah he pleased with her) discussing fosterage which (makes marriage) unlawful; and she (‘A’isha) said: There was revealed in the Holy Qur’an ten clear sucklings, and then five clear (sucklings). Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3421 ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with, her) reported that it had been revealed in the Holy Qur’an that ten clear sucklings make the marriage unlawful, then it was abrogated (and substituted) by five sucklings and Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) died and it was before that time (found) in the Holy Qur’an (and recited by the Muslims). Had these cited Verses been truly present in Quran until Death of Apostle, this should have been there until today. But this Verse stated by Aisha(Rali) is not there in Quran. If this Hadhees is accepted, it would force the thought that few Verses in Quran was removed after Allah s Apostle s death. Allah says that he will guard the Quran. Being Contrast to this, this Hadhees should not be accepted. We shouldn t come to a state to accept this and thereby deny Quran. The wife of Abu Hudhaifa said: Messenger of Allah, Salim comes to me and now he is a (grown-up) person, and there is something that (rankles) in the mind of Abu Hudhaifa about him, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Suckle him (so that he may become your foster-child). Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3427 Umm Salama said to ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her): A young boy who is at the threshold of puberty comes to you. I, however, do not like that he should come to me, whereupon ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) said: Don’t you see in Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) a model for you? She also said: The wife of Abu Hudhaifa said: Messenger of Allah, Salim comes to me and now he is a (grown-up) person, and there is something that (rankles) in the mind of Abu Hudhaifa about him, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Suckle him (so that he may become your foster-child), and thus he may be able to come to you (freely). Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3426 Ibn Abu Mulaika reported that al-Qasim b. Muhammad b. Abu Bakr had narrated to him that ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Sahla bint Suhail b. ‘Amr came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, Salim (the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifa) is living with us in our house, and he has attained (puberty) as men attain it and has acquired knowledge (of the sex problems) as men acquire, whereupon he said: Suckle him so that he may become unlawful (in regard to marriage) for you He (Ibn Abu Mulaika) said: I refrained from (narrating this hadith) for a year or so on account of fear. I then met al-Qasim and said to him: You narrated to me a hadith which I did not narrate (to anyone) afterwards. He said: What is that? I informed him, whereupon he said: Narrate it on my authority that ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) had narrated that to me. Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3425 ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hadhaifa, lived with him and his family in their house. She (i. e. the daughter of Suhail came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Salim has attained (purbety) as men attain, and he understands what they understand, and he enters our house freely, I, however, perceive that something (rankles) in the heart of Abu Hudhaifa, whereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said to her: Suckle him and you would become unlawful for him, and (the rankling) which Abu Hudhaifa feels in his heart will disappear. She returned and said: So I suckled him, and what (was there) in the heart of Abu Hudhaifa disappeared. Muslim :: Book 8 : Hadith 3428 Zainab daughter of Abu Salama reported: I heard Umm Salama, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon himy, saying to ‘A’isha: By Allah, I do not like to be seen by a young boy who has passed the period of fosterage, whereupon she (‘A’isha) said: Why is it so? Sahla daughter of Suhail came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah’s Messenger, I swear by Allah that I see in the face of Abu Hudhaifa (the signs of disgust) on account of entering of Salim (in the house), whereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Suckle him. She (Sahla bint Suhail) said: He has a heard. But he (again) said: Suckle him, and it would remove what is there (expression of disgust) on the face of Abu Hudhaifa. She said: (I did that) and, by Allah, I did not see (any sign of disgust) on the face of Abu Hadhaifa. Allah s Apostle at no cause would have told to feed a Grown up stranger. Suckling is applicable only babies upto 2 years. Hence we leave this Hadhees unaccepted. There could be some anonymous flaw in this Narration. We decide that Allah s Apostle wouldn t have told like this. On similar grounds, the Hadhees stating that Allah s Apostle was affected by Black Magic should be held unaccepted. Moreover, there are lot of discrepancies in the event narrated by Aisha(Rali). That strengthens this opinion. These Hadhees says that things by which Magic was performed are not removed and well
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 75 :: Hadith 400,
Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 661
but this narration claims that the things are removed
Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 660.
The narration from Nasayee 4012 states that the things were removed by sending some people. The narrations in Bukhari states that two Angels were talking between them, but narrations in Nasayee 4012 and Ahmed 4701 states that Gabriel (Alai) narrated to Allah s Apostle about black magic. Due to this, the unreliability of this narration increases. It is written in many elaborated books ( on Quran) that chapters 113 and 114 were revealed to cure the Black Magic on Allah s Apostle. They haven t shown any Hadhees in support of this claim. The fact is that place of revealation of these two Chapters is uncertain (ie) whether in Mekkah or Madina. Hence there is no correlation between these two chapters and black magic. Few of them quote Seeking protection from Women blowing knots as the evidence. They say that this refers to Women performing Black Magic. As per their argument, a Man named ‘Labid had only performed Black Magic. Hence there is no room for Women performing Black Magic here. As per their argument, we seek protection against Women performing Black Magic in this Chapter. This will lead to the opinion that there is no protection against Men performing Black Magic. Allah s Apostle didn t elaborate Women blowing knot as Magicians. Understanding this with reference to Hadhees, it may be inferred that here Allah refers to Shaithan. Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 54 :: Hadith 491 Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, ‘The night is, long, so keep on sleeping,’ If that person wakes up and celebrates the praises of Allah, then one knot is undone, and when he performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he prays, all the knots are undone, and he gets up in the morning lively and gay, otherwise he gets up dull and gloomy. Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 21 :: Hadith 243 Narrated Abu Huraira Allah’s Apostle said, Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart. Few think that it refers to knot made of thread when quoting knot . When Moses(PBUH) prayed to unfasten his tongue, he said untie knot from my tongue . It shouldn t be interpreted that a knot is made in tongue. Surah: 20.Ta-Ha. Verse: 27. And untie the knot from my tongue Moreover the word blow is related to Satan It is a habit of Arabs to refer in feminine gender when specifying Evil deeds. Hence it is referred in feminine gender here. Thus there is no correlation between these chapters and Black Magic. Moreover Allah assures to Guard Apostle from the people. Surah: 5.Al-Ma’idah. Verse: 67. O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. Had Allah s Apostle affected with Black Magic been true, the opinion that would prevail is that the spiritual strength of enemies is more than Allah s Apostles when Enemies could affect him to such an extent that he lost his self conscious. This would have hindered growth of Islam. But, there was no backlash on the growth of Islam during Allah s Apostles period.
Though the Hadhees pertaining to Black Magic s effect on Allah s Apostle is authenticated with respect to Narrators, since it is against the teachings of Quran which is even more authenticated, the actual fact is that no one paralyzed Allah s Apostle.
28.04.2011. 4:17 AM
