And they followed what the Shayateen used to recite in the reign of Sulaymaan (Alayhis Salaam). And Sulaymaan (Alayhis Salaam) did not commit Kufr, rather the Shayateen committed Kufr by instructing the people Sihr (magic) and (teaching them) things revealed to the angels in Babylon; Harut and Marut. However, they (Harut and Marut) did not teach anyone anything without warning them; We (i.e. what we teach) are a test and temptation, so do not commit Kufr (by learning what we teach and then misusing it for evil). People learnt from them (Harut and Marut) that which had the potential to cause separation between man and his wife. But they could not harm anyone with their magic except with the permission of Allah Ta’ala. [Baqarah:102]
We live in a world where godlessness is the order of the day. Devil worship is rife, evil reigns supreme, and its agents rule the masses. These forces hate stability and contentment, especially when found in a happy marriage and family. Happiness, contentment, a stable family unit – these words alone are enough to cause the agents of evil to blow a fuse.
These demons will pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned in breaking up a happy marriage. With evil so rampant, the need now – more than ever – is to ‘evil proof’ our marriages. Whether that evil is in the shape of Nazr, Sihr, jealousy, whispers of the Shayateen from Jinn and people! (Yes! Some Shayateen are in the form of humans!)
The Incident of Harut and Marut
SIhr, Jadoo or Blackmagic was very common in Babylon. People would practice it openly and reached great height in its knowledge. Allah Ta’ala deputed two angels, Harut and Marut to the people of Babylon. These two angels taught them the principles and permissible uses of supernatural engagements, and exposed the reality of Blackmagic, and those who practise it. Furthermore, those principles of magic which they taught the Babylonians were solely for the purpose of recognition for abstention. Meaning if they knew some of the impermissible Blackmagic, they would be able to recognise it and consequently abstain from it.
Harut and Marut would take an oath from those they taught that they would never misuse this knowledge. They would also clearly state to the people that this knowledge was a test for them, and they should be extremely wary of it driving them to Kufr.
These angels fulfilled the command of Allah Ta’ala and strived to achieve the purpose of their delegation. It is imperative to note here, that those incidents which portray Harut and Marut as mischief makers are incorrect. They were Angels of Allah Ta’ala, and according to authentic narrations, obeyed His commands and fulfilled their obligation of warning the Babylonians. [Bayaanul Quraan]
However, the people did not heed the warning of Harut and Marut, save a handful. Rather, they would come to the angels, take the oaths required to learn Blackmagic, and then use this evil to harm people. [Ma’ariful Quran]
From among all the different types of magic, Allah Ta’ala singles out ‘People learnt from them (Harut and Marut) that which had the potential to cause separation between man and his wife.’ Allah Ta’ala has explained the severity of their Sihr using marriage as the yardstick. The security a woman feels with her husband, and the inclination a husband has to his wife is something unshakable. It is among the strongest of bonds on earth and surpasses all other intimate relationships. The Sihr of the Babylonians was so severe, that it was able to undo even this bond of marriage, and create distance between husband and wife, the epitome of intimacy. Therefore, their Sihr would be able to overpower all else, and achieve anything imaginable. [Mafateehul Ghaib:3/632]
It sounds very scary. Sihr that is all powerful? Magic that can achieve anything the sorcerer wants? How do we survive such an attack?!
Allah Ta’ala, The Most Powerful, gives us all the defence we need in the very next verse: ‘But they could not harm anyone with their magic except with the permission of Allah Ta’ala…’
Yes! This is our primary and most powerful defence; our Imaan in Allah Ta’ala.
Inshallah in the next article we will discuss narrations which deal with the evil effects of Sihr, Nazr and Jinn. We will also discuss striking a balance, and how these forces affect our relationships and families.