Outline
- Introduction
- Black Magic, Jinn Possession are Myth. Really!
- Is Jinn Possession a Myth?
- Any of the Sahabah Ever Claimed an Encounter with Jinn Possession?
- The Story of the Black Lady with Epilepsy
- Human Psychology and Jinn Possession
- Du’a Taught by The Prophet for Ruqyah
- Science and Psychology Don’t Always Make Sense
- Handling the Tests of This Life
- All Messengers Were Accused of Jinn Possession
- On Allah’s Decree
- The Qur’an is a Healing
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alhamudulillah… Perfect praise and thanks are due to the Almighty Allah who grants cure whenever we need it. Complete blessings and salutations go to Sayyiduna Muhammad, who taught us to seek treatment whenever we fall sick, also to his household, companions and all those who follow his guided path.
This article supplements my previous piece, Introduction to Ruqyah, which sealed my articles for 2018 on GSalam.Net. It aims to correct some misconceptions we may have regarding ruqyah as opposed to believing in fate and destiny (qaḍā wa al-qadar), which stands essentially as one of the pillars of Imān which every Muslim must firmly subscribe to.
Therefore, the sections of this article are points raised in reaction to Introduction to Ruqyah. Here, I strongly suggest that you read Intro to Ruqyah first, if you haven’t done so yet, before continuing reading this. This will give you a clearer picture that help you have a better idea of the flow of the discussion.
So, are black magic and jinn possession myth?
Black Magic, Jinn Possession are Myth. Really!
In reaction to Intro to Ruqyah, one of the readers made a statement which implies, that “black magic, Jinn possession etc, are myth.” In order to overcome whatever psychological issues that trigger such beliefs, “we should believe that all the bad and the good are from Allah as it is the six pillars of Faith (Decree).”
To further strengthen this argument, and emphasize “about putting our trust in Allah, thus no need to do ruqyah,” the reader makes mention of the following ḥadīth, which was reported by Imam Al-Bukhārī (vol. 8, book 76, Number 549), from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbās, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu. In the ḥadīth, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alahyi wa sallam says:
“The people were displayed in front of me and I saw one prophet passing by with a large group of his followers, and another prophet passing by with only a small group of people, and another prophet passing by with only ten (persons), and another prophet passing by with only five (persons), and another prophet passed by alone. And then I looked and saw a large multitude of people, so I asked Gabriel, “Are these people my followers?' He said, ‘No, but look towards the horizon.' I looked and saw a very large multitude of people. Gabriel said. ‘Those are your followers, and those are seventy thousand (persons) in front of them who will neither have any reckoning of their accounts nor will receive any punishment.' I asked, ‘Why?' He said, ‘For they used not to treat themselves with branding (cauterization) nor with Ruqya (get oneself treated by the recitation of some Verses of the Qur'an) and not to see evil omen in things, and they used to put their trust (only) in their Lord.” On hearing that, ‘Ukasha bin Mihsan got up and said (to the Prophet), “Invoke Allah to make me one of them.” The Prophet said, “O Allah, make him one of them.” Then another man got up and said (to the Prophet), “Invoke Allah to make me one of them.” The Prophet said, ‘Ukasha has preceded you.”
One may choose not to seek treatment when he falls sick. And only 70 thousand people, according to the haḍīth do or will do that. But that choice doesn’t prove that sickness is a myth. For instance, just because I have never encountered with sore and swollen eyes doesn’t mean infections that cause eyes to sore and swell is a myth. It’s important that we differentiate between superstition/myth and that which is unseen or hidden (ghayb).
The Qur’an tells us about the jinn and the evil things they do on various occasions. Surah Al-Baqarah (102) narrates how they involve in black magic. The verse further reinforces, that “they (the jinn) do not or cannot harm anyone through black magic except by will and permission of Allah.”
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَـٰرُوتَ وَمَـٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٠٢﴾
“They pursued what the devils falsely attributed to the kingdom of Sulayman. Sulayman was not an unbeliever: it is the devils who are unbelievers. They taught people witchcraft, and that which was sent down to Harut and Marut, the two angels in Babylon. But these two taught no one until they had said, “We are but a trial, therefore, do not disbelieve [in Allah’s guidance].” So men learnt from them that by which they caused discord between man and wife; but they harmed no one thereby, except by the command of Allah; [on the contrary], these people learned that which would harm them and do them no good, knowing full well that whoever acquired [this knowledge] would have no share in the Hereafter. Evil indeed was the [price] for which they sold their souls, if only they had known it.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:102).
Now that we agree with the Qur’an that the Jinn does evil things and that the evil things they do primarily target the children of Adam, let’s remember that a whole Surah in the Qur’an is dedicated to the Jinn. And that’s Surah Al-Jinn. Also, for the record, Ibliss is one of the Jinn. Furthermore, Surah Al-Nas (the last chapter in the Qur’an, makes mention of the jinn, and further encourages us to seek refuge in Allah from their evil (as well as the evil of mankind).
If the jinn target mankind to cause them harm, do they have the ability to possess?
Is Jinn Possession a Myth?
If one only accepts facts that he can see with his naked eyes or that which is scientifically proven, then yes, jinn possession is a myth. Just like anything to do with the unseen. But those who have experienced the effects of the evil of the jinn, or have helped others overcome them knows it is real.
Having said that, it’s worth emphasizing, that the faith of the Muslim will not be complete until he ensures he covers all the six pillars of īmān, solid in his heart. One of the pillars is to believe that, fate and destiny, the good and the bad of it are from Allah. However, this does not contradict with the fact that the Qur’an and the Sunnah teach us to seek treatment, as and when we’re sick or otherwise.
As with regards to the ḥadīth, we can’t disagree with its authenticity. And by all means, one can choose to strive and pray that Allah includes him among those indicated in the ḥadīth. Thus, he should be ready to bear the pains that come with any sort of sickness. But doing that won’t make him any better Muslim than those who seek treatment the righteous way. The way that Islam has encouraged us to.
Any of the Sahabah Ever Claimed an Encounter with Jinn Possession?
Often a time, this is the type of question we tend to ask; Did any of the companions ever experienced this or that? True enough, the same question was posed… “did any of the companions every claim to have encountered with jinn possession?
To answer that, I would say, I can’t prove that any of the companions of the Prophet ever claimed being possessed. But I can’t also prove that any of the companions ever claimed to have been hit by cancer. Do we believe that cancer exists or not?
When one is hit with cancer today, should he say because it didn’t exist during the time of the prophet, so we don’t have to seek treatment for it. Likewise, just because there’s no evidence that any sahabah ever claimed jinn possession doesn’t mean it never happened. Just because no sahabah ever claimed to have encountered with jinn possession doesn’t mean it won’t happen in later generations.
The Story of the Black Lady with Epilepsy
Imam Al-Bukhārī and Muslim report from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbās, who asked ‘Aṭā’ ibn Abī Rabāh, whether he would like him he show him a woman from the people of Jannah. When he replied that he certainly would, he said, “This black woman, who came to the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said:
إِنِّي أُصْرَعُ، وَإِنِّي أَتَكَشَّفُ، فَادْعُ الله تَعَالَى لِي
“I suffer from epilepsy and during fits my body is exposed, so make supplication to Allah for me.”
The Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam replied:
إِنْ شِئْتِ صَبَرْتِ وَلَكِ الجَنَّةُ، وَإِنْ شِئْتِ دَعَوْتُ اللهَ تَعَالَى أَنْ يُعَافِيَكِ
“If you wish you endure it patiently and you be rewarded with Jannah, or if you wish, I shall make supplication to Allah to cure you?”
She said, ‘I shall endure it.' Then she added: ‘But my body is exposed, so pray to Allah that it may not happen.' He, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam then supplicated for her”.
One can argue that “the Prophet advised her to be patient and expect the reward of Paradise from Allah. He never told her about Jinn possession or else.“
But Looking at the circumstances of the ḥadīth, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave her two options: either he makes dua’ for her to recover. Or she be patient, and she will be rewarded with Jannah. She chose the latter. Even with that, he still made du’a for her, so that during her fits, her body will no longer be exposed.
Now, my question is, assuming she chose the first option, which was that the Prophet prays for her, to recover from epilepsy, wouldn’t the Prophet have prayed for her? In fact, he has prayed for many of his companions. For wealth, for knowledge, for recovery and many others. He didn’t tell all of them to be patient.
Human Psychology and Jinn Possession
In her book, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, Amy Morin makes mention of how mental strength or weakness is not the same as mental health. Similarly here, the symptom and effects of evil disturbances may look similar or even identical with psychological problems, think about stress, depression, traumas and whatnot, but they are not caused by the same factors.
In other words, it’s evident that human psychology has its impact on our individual thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Such that it may affect one’s mental health. But that doesn’t mean that every mental health, and for that matter, every sickness that’s presumed to be psychological is psychological.
In my ruqyah article, I mentioned the following: “Please note, that in addition to ruqyah, you may still need the seek other forms of treatment; a medical treatment, or professional intervention, if one is suffering from depression or some mental issues. Even if the ruqyah is effective for you. The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is the best practitioner and teacher of ruqyah, yet he sought medical treatment, and did encourage us to seek medical treatment.”
Du’a Taught by The Prophet for Ruqyah
Here, I find it beneficial to share one of the du‘as the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam taught his household and his companions to recite for Ruqyah.
Sayyidutunā ‘Āishah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā narrates in a ḥadīth reported by Imām Al-Bukhārī and Muslim, that when the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ البَأْسَ، وَاشْفِ، أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لا شِفَاءَ إِلا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفاَءً لا يُغَادِرُ سَقْماً
“O Allah! the Lord of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease.”
Science and Psychology Don’t Always Make Sense
There are situations where and when a pregnant woman who had been pregnant for nine months, and on the day of her delivery, the baby disappeared from her womb. Similarly, a sick person, upon whom when ruqyah was recited, stones came out of his/her eyes? In a situation not less scary, ruqyah was read for a sick person, and to the surprise of all around, blades (razors) and needles came out from her front private part. Here, I emphasize: ruqyah was read.
Believe it or not, these are true stories. I don’t know how human psychology will explain them. What I know is that, Ruqyah has helped solve some of them, by the will Allah. If you’re reading this, I do not wish that you come across situations like that, definitely not that which happens to you nor anyone else. Because if it happens, pains, and a lot of pains will be incurred.
Handling the Tests of This Life
Islam teaches us to cope with the tests of this life. And tests in life mostly come our way whenever we pursue a significant endeavour. For instance, if you choose to be a committed and practicing Muslim, for you, there’s a set of tests you’ll have to deal with. On the other hand, if you choose to undermine Islam, there’s also a set of tests of you’ll have to hand accordingly.
Similarly, when you choose to seek knowledge there’s a set of tests that you will have to face. If you choose to seek halal income, there’s another set of tests that you’ll have to deal with. If you choose to uphold a sound moral compass, you too must be prepared to face many unexpected challenges. Even seeking treatment for sickness is a test. You can do it the righteous way. You can also do it the evil way. As simple as that. But doing it the righteous way means success, while doing it the evil way means failure. Regardless of the outcome.
In a nutshell, every endeavour comes with a set of tests. And we must handle these tests in a way that doesn’t distract us from reaching Allah safely. At the end of the day, we seek Allah’s guidance, protection, assistance to overcome all sorts of tests, including sickness.
All Messengers Were Accused of Jinn Possession
Also raised is the fact that, all Messengers of Allah were accused to be magicians. Therefore, jinn possession is an idea whispered by the Devil to distract us from completing the six pillars of īmām.
No, that’s not the case.
The Qur’an confirms that the ignorant and the beliers accused their prophets with practising black magic and or being possessed by the jinn. Obviously, those accusations were false ones. Even the accusers knew deep down in themselves, that those were false accusations.
But that doesn’t mean that magic and witchcraft don’t exist in reality nor does it mean that they are myth. It’s needless to emphasize, that both magic and witchcraft and their harms are indicated in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Similarly, just like the Messengers were accused with jinn possession, which are definitely false, they were also accused of telling lies. Was any of them a liar? No way!
The only thing is that, no matter how witchcraft, magic or evil practices are performed on you, it will only affect you if, and only if Allah allows it to effect.
Let’s pause for a while and read Surah al-Falaq:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّـهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ ﴿١﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٢﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٥﴾ـ
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak (1) from the evil of what He has created, (2) from the evil of darkness as it descends, (3) from the evil of those who blow on knots (4) and from the evil of the envier when he envies.” (5)
Notice that Allah is instructing us to seek refuge in Him from the evil of the His own creatures. These creatures as indicated in this Surah include: every creature of the Lord, darkness, blow of the knots, the envier.
We believe in Allah. Hands down! We believe that whatever happens to us, it’s by His will and permission. It’s a test. It’s also a decree. Let’s talk a bit on decree.
On Allah’s Decree
“Nothing can happen to us besides that has been already written upon us.” This statement is true. However, we must establish the proper understanding for it. Otherwise, it’s the same statement that one can use and decide to sleep 24/7 without working to earn a living.
Now, Let’s assume someone has met with a road accident. And he got broken bones. Should he seek treatment or just carry himself home and claim that nothing happens besides that which has been already written. Yes, it’s already written that he’ll meet with an accident. It’s also written that when he meets with the accident, he will seek treatment. What he has to make sure about is not to seek treatment using black magic or haram forms of treatment.
The same is true in the cases of ‘Ukāshah and the Lady, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā. ‘Ukāshah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu asked the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam to pray that he’s among the seventy thousand believers who will have access to Jannah without reckoning. Similarly, although the Lady raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā accepted to endure the test of her epilepsy for life, she still asked The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam to pray for her, so that her body didn’t get exposed whenever epilepsy attacked her.
The Qur’an is a Healing
The Qur’an tells us that it carries healing for the people. The Qur’an also tells us that honey is a drink with medicine for the people. The Prophet tells us that dates cures from many sicknesses. The Prophet also tells us that black seeds protects against everything except death. What are the sickness and “everything” which the Qur’an and the Sunnah are referring to? The Prophet said all that, although he narrated for them about the 70,000 paradise dwellers, who don’t seek treatment.
Conclusion
I have heard a few Muslim scholars who deny or ridicule the fact that jinnkind disturbs humankind. That I can’t do anything about it. In fact, scholars have been having differences in opinions whether the Prophet was ever attacked by black magic or not. It’s not a new debatable issue.
One thing is certain, though. That’s Fate and Destiny which every must firmly subscribe to works seamlessly. And it’s mostly part of the unseen. Thus, the subject remains unclear. This is what it’s meant to be. So, it shouldn’t be surprising to see that scholars have differences in their understanding of it.
May Allah strengthen our faiths, and make us true servants of His, and grant us good endings. Āmīn!
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Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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