Question Summary:
Attending illusionist shows Question Detail:
I want to know, is it permissible for me to go and see an illusionist perform?
Answer :
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The difference between an illusionist and magician is negligible. Both terms are used interchangeably and are synonyms for one another. Some people have made a distinction and said that ‘magician’ is a broader term that encompasses both magicians and illusionists. Others say that a magician just does simple tricks whereas an illusionist acknowledges his lack of ‘supernatural’ abilities and engages the minds of the audience by stagecraft, stage presence, use of language, and theatrical training.
As far as Shariah is concerned, both are impermissible to practice and it is impermissible for a person to attend the performances and shows of both magicians and illusionists. [1] [2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Saanwal ibn Muhammad,
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb
[1] ويكره اللعب والغناء وعمل الشعوذة والنظر الى ذلك
(الفتاوى السراجية، ص330، زمزم)
...وَحَرَامًا، وَهُوَ عِلْمُ الْفَلْسَفَةِ وَالشَّعْبَذَةِ وَالتَّنْجِيمِ...
(قَوْلُهُ: وَالشَّعْبَذَةِ) الصَّوَابُ الشَّعْوَذَةُ، وَهِيَ كَمَا فِي الْقَامُوسِ خِفَّةٌ فِي الْيَدِ كَالسِّحْرِ تَرَى الشَّيْءَ بِغَيْرِ مَا عَلَيْهِ أَصْلُهُ... وَهِيَ لَعِبٌ يَرَى الْإِنْسَانُ مِنْهَا مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ حَقِيقَةٌ كَالسِّحْرِ. اهـ. ابْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ. وَأَفْتَى الْعَلَّامَةُ ابْنُ حَجَرٍ فِي أَهْلِ الْحَقِّ فِي الطُّرُقَاتِ الَّذِينَ لَهُمْ أَشْيَاءُ غَرِيبَةٌ كَقَطْعِ رَأْسِ إنْسَانٍ وَإِعَادَتِهِ وَجَعْلِ نَحْوِ دَرَاهِمَ مِنْ التُّرَابِ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ فِي مَعْنَى السَّحَرَةِ إنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا مِنْهُمْ، فَلَا يَجُوزُ لَهُمْ ذَلِكَ وَلَا لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَقِفَ عَلَيْهِمْ
(رد المحتار على الدر المختار، ج1، ص43، دار الفكر)
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