FRIDAY SERMON: Jealousy and Magic — “The True Roots of Human Destruction”

Without jealousy and magic, societies flourish.
With love and faith, families thrive.
And with the Qur’an, every darkness disappears.

Mohammad younis Bhat(Zahid)

Historical Background (with reference to Prophet Suleiman A.S.)

Throughout human history, jealousy and magic have remained among the most destructive forces that destabilized families, societies, and nations. These evils did not emerge recently; they were present even in the times of ancient civilizations. But the most authentic and powerful clarification regarding magic appears in the Qur’an—particularly in relation to Hazrat Suleiman (A.S.).

Some misguided people falsely attributed magic to Prophet Suleiman (A.S.), claiming he practiced it to gain control over humans and jinn. However, the Qur’an strongly refuted this lie:

“Suleiman did not commit disbelief, but the devils disbelieved; they taught people magic…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102)

This verse establishes several fundamental truths:

Prophet Suleiman (A.S.) was a noble Prophet of Allah, free from all forms of sorcery.

It was the devils who introduced magic to humanity.

Magic is a form of kufr when practiced as a method of seeking control through supernatural forces.

Historically, jealousy also played a destructive role from the earliest generations—such as the jealousy of Qabil (Cain) that led to the murder of his own brother Habil (Abel). Thus, jealousy became the first sin committed on earth, while magic became one of mankind’s earliest spiritual deviations.

Both these evils continue to destroy human relations, trust, peace, and the moral foundations of society even today.

The Confrontation of Prophet Mūsā (A.S.) with Pharaoh’s Magicians —

The Greatest Defeat of Magic in History***

One of the most powerful demonstrations of the falsehood of magic occurred when Prophet Mūsā (A.S.) was confronted by Pharaoh’s most skilled magicians. Pharaoh gathered them in large numbers and challenged Prophet Mūsā (A.S.) to prove his prophethood.

The magicians threw their ropes and staffs, and through their magic, they created the illusion of movement:

“It appeared to him, because of their magic, that they were moving.”
(Tāhā: 66)

Their act was a deception of the eyes, not real transformation.
But when Prophet Mūsā (A.S.) cast down his staff by the command of Allah, it became a real serpent:

It swallowed all the illusions.

It exposed the falsehood of their magic.

It revealed the powerlessness of their tricks before divine truth.

The sight shocked the magicians, who instantly recognized that this was not magic but a true miracle. They fell into prostration and declared:

“We believe in the Lord of Hārūn and Mūsā.”

This incident is the single greatest historical defeat of magic, proving that:

Magic is deception and illusion.

Divine miracles are based on truth and power.

No magical force can overcome the command of Allah.

Summary of the Historical Perspective

Magic existed as a satanic practice long before modern times.

Prophets always fought against it and never supported it.

The Qur’ān refuted the claim that Sulaymān (A.S.) used magic.

The confrontation between Mūsā (A.S.) and Pharaoh’s magicians permanently exposed the limits and falsehood of magic.

Magic has always been a tool of corruption, division, and spiritual destruction.

Evil Eye, Jealousy, and Magic – Definition and Islamic Differentiation

These three phenomena are often misunderstood, mixed together, or exaggerated by cultural assumptions. Islam provides a clear and balanced understanding.

A. The Evil Eye (Nazar-e-Bad)

The evil eye is a harmful effect caused by intense admiration mixed with jealousy, even if unintentional.
It is real and confirmed in authentic hadith:

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The evil eye is real.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

The evil eye can affect:

A person’s health

Wealth and business

Marriage and relationships

Children

Success and progress

It occurs when someone looks at another person’s blessing with envy or excessive amazement without saying “MashaAllah” or remembering Allah.”

The Qur’an warns:
“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.”
(Surah Al-Falaq)

This proves that the evil eye is a spiritual harm but not kufr, and its cure lies in Qur’anic protection.

B. Jealousy (Hasad)

Jealousy is an inner spiritual disease when a person cannot tolerate the blessings of others and wishes for their removal. It is one of the most dangerous spiritual conditions of the heart.

According to Qur’an and Hadith, jealousy:

Destroys good deeds

Breeds hatred, gossip, and hostility

Breaks families

Corrupts societies

Leads eventually to wrongdoing, oppression, and even murder

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Beware of jealousy, for jealousy consumes good deeds like fire consumes wood.”
(Abu Dawood)

Jealousy is the root poison that leads to spiritual downfall and often pushes a person towards the extreme step of doing or supporting magic.

Thus:

The evil eye is usually unintentional.

Jealousy is intentional and sinful, and its effect on the heart is deeper.

C. Magic (Sihr)

Magic is a forbidden and sinful practice that involves the assistance of jinns or devils to harm or influence others.
According to the Qur’an, magic was taught by devils during the era of Babylon, and later falsely attributed to Prophet Suleiman (A.S.).

The Qur’an states:
“…and the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…”
(Al-Baqarah 2:102)

Magic includes practices aimed at:

Breaking marriages

Creating hatred between spouses

Illness without medical explanation

Mental disturbances

Loss of wealth, sleep, stability

Bondage of thoughts or illusions

And the Qur’an directly mentions:
“They learn from them what causes separation between a man and his wife…”
(Al-Baqarah 2:102)

This is the strongest Qur’anic proof of magic’s reality and its dangerous consequences.

Difference Summarized:

Concept; Source Intention; Effect; Ruling

Evil Eye: Human gaze; Sometimes unintentional; Physical/spiritual harm; Real & harmful
Jealousy: Inner disease; Intentional dislike of others’ blessings; Sin & destructive; Major spiritual sickness
Magic: Jinn/devil involvement; Always intentional; Harming, separating, confusing Haram & may lead to kufr

Islam teaches that although these forces are real, their power is limited and nothing harms except by Allah’s will.

Spiritual Reality — Why These Evils Destroy Humanity

Allah created man to live with love, purity, cooperation, and justice. Jealousy and magic contradict all these divine principles.

Jealousy attacks the heart

It burns a person spiritually until he loses peace and worship becomes dry and empty.

The evil eye attacks blessings

It causes unseen harm to health, wealth, or relationships.

Magic attacks the soul and mind

It destabilizes a person emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially.

These three forces become the seeds of destruction that break families, create hatred, disturb societies, and weaken faith.

The Qur’an repeatedly instructs believers to seek protection from these evils:

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak… from the evil of the envier when he envies.”
(Surah Al-Falaq)

Major Social Harms of Magic

Magic is not merely a private sin; it is a crime against society. Its destructive consequences extend beyond individuals and affect entire households and communities.

A. Destruction of Marital Life

The Qur’an specifically highlights magic that causes separation between spouses:

“They learn from them what causes separation between a man and his wife.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102)

Magic creates:

Suspicion

Misunderstanding

Mental disturbance

Sudden hatred

Emotional coldness

Loss of trust

Often these symptoms appear without any practical reason, leaving the family in confusion and pain.

B. Breakdown of Family Unity

Magic fuels division among:

Brothers

Sisters

Parents and children

Relatives

This creates long-term hatred and destroys the natural structure of love in families.

C. Psychological and Emotional Damage

Victims of magic often suffer from:

Anxiety

Depression

Loss of appetite

Insomnia

Irrational fears

Lack of concentration

Sudden anger

Hopelessness

These symptoms destroy personal well-being and affect education, career, and social relations.

D. Loss of Wealth and Stability

Magic can create unexpected financial problems:

Sudden loss in business

Money slipping away without reason

Poverty despite efforts

Repeated failures

It brings a sense of helplessness that pushes people into further despair.

E. Weakening of Faith

Dangerously, magic makes people rely on superstitions instead of Allah.
It turns them towards:

Fake healers

Charlatans

Money-hungry soothsayers

Spirit-invokers

This spiritual deviation distances a person from Qur’an and Sunnah.

The Islamic Ruling on Visiting Magicians

Islam strictly prohibits visiting magicians, fortune-tellers, palm-readers, or those who claim to have supernatural knowledge.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and believes in what he says, his prayers will not be accepted for forty days.”
(Sahih Muslim)

And in another hadith:

“Whoever goes to a sorcerer or magician and believes in him has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.”
(Ahmad)

This indicates two levels of sin:

A. Visiting a magician (without believing)

➤ Prayer not accepted for 40 days
➤ Major sin
➤ Severe warning to never repeat it

B. Visiting a magician and believing him

➤ Act resembles kufr
➤ Because the person is attributing knowledge of the unseen to someone other than Allah

This shows how dangerous and spiritually poisonous this action is.

Punishment Mentioned in Qur’an for Magic

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah states clearly that learning magic or practicing it is an act of disbelief:

“…But the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…”
(2:102)

This signifies that:

Learning magic is a path of disbelief

Teaching magic is worse

Practicing magic invites the anger of Allah

Furthermore, the verse states about those who learn magic:

“And they knew that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter.”
(2:102)

This means:

No reward

No success

No portion of mercy

No salvation

A terrifying warning.

Punishment from Allah for the One Who Involves Others in Magic

A person who uses magic to destroy someone’s peace, marriage, health, or wealth is committing one of the worst crimes.

Such a person will face:

Disgrace in this world

Curse of the angels

Punishment in the grave

Accountability on the Day of Judgement

Allah says:
“And do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:2)

Helping a magician is cooperation in sin of the highest level.

Those who use magic to harm others will face the double punishment:
➤ For practicing magic
➤ For hurting the innocent

This is why scholars say:
“Magic is among the greatest crimes that destroys both worlds.”

Role of Scholars, Community Leaders, and Citizens

To eliminate the influence of jealousy and magic, the entire community must fulfill its responsibility.

A. Role of Religious Scholars

Educate people through Qur’an and Sunnah

Identify cultural innovations and false beliefs

Provide proper ruqyah (Shari‘ah-compliant treatment)

Teach protection through Surah Falaq, Surah Naas, Ayat ul Kursi

Encourage patience, gratitude, and trust in Allah

B. Role of Community Leaders

Spread awareness

Encourage counseling and reconciliation

Stop fraudulent spiritual practitioners

Promote religious gatherings and education

Strengthen family values

C. Role of General Citizens

Avoid jealousy and negative competition

Stop gossiping and spreading suspicion

Protect each other’s honor

Recite daily supplications (Azkar)

Teach children the importance of good intentions

When society works collectively, the effects of these evils become weak and powerless.

9. Practical Methods to Protect Ourselves

Daily Qur’anic Protection:

Surah Al-Falaq

Surah Al-Naas

Ayat-ul-Kursi

Surah Al-Baqarah (or at least the last two verses)

Spiritual Protection:

Maintain cleanliness of heart

Avoid jealousy and envy

Avoid suspicion and injustice

Forgive others

Perform regular prayers

Lifestyle Protection:

Strengthen family communication

Avoid isolation and overthinking

Seek advice from scholars in times of confusion

Powerful Conclusion — A Memorable Lesson

Jealousy and magic are not merely sins; they are weapons of silent destruction. They shatter families, break relationships, weaken societies, and corrupt the human heart. Jealousy burns the soul, the evil eye weakens blessings, and magic ruins lives in hidden ways.

But Islam does not leave us helpless.
Allah has given clear guidance, strong protection, and a perfect shield through His Book.

The real victory belongs to those who:

Purify their hearts

Trust in Allah

Avoid jealousy

Stay away from magic

Protect themselves with Qur’anic supplications

Spread love, unity, and positivity

Humanity rises when hearts are clean, intentions are pure, and reliance is on Allah alone.

Without jealousy and magic, societies flourish.
With love and faith, families thrive.
And with the Qur’an, every darkness disappears.
(Straight Talk Communications Exclusive)