Types of Sihr?

1. SIHR OF SEPARATION

This form of black magic is widespread and is intended to create division between spouses or instill animosity between friends or partners.

Allah says:

"They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, 'We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).' And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew."

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102)

Jabir (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Iblis would lay his throne on water and would send his brigade of demons. The lowest among them in rank is the one who is most notorious in stirring up fitna. One of the demons would, after a mission, come and say to Iblis, ‘I have done so and so.’ Iblis would reply, ‘You have not done anything.’ Another one would come and say: ‘I have not left such and such person until I separated him from his wife.’ Iblis would come closer to his demon and say, ‘How good you are.’"

(Muslim in An-Nawawi: 17/157)

Symptoms of Sihr of Separation:

A sudden shift from love to hatred. Overreaction to minor disagreements. Distorted perception of one's spouse, seeing them as unattractive or unpleasant. Developing strong aversion to anything done by the affected person. Feeling uncomfortable or distressed in the presence of one's spouse, while feeling fine elsewhere.

According to Al-Hafidh Ibn Kathir, the reason for this form of separation is that each person starts seeing the other in a distorted or undesirable way.

2. SIHR AL-MAHABBAH / AT-TIWALA (LOVE)

This type of magic is used to create unnatural affection and attraction between individuals.

Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Ar-ruqa, at-tama’im and at-tiwala are acts of shirk (polytheism)."

(Ahmad) (1/381)

Ibn Al-Athir explains that At-Tiwala is a spell used to make a man excessively love his wife. The reason this is considered an act of shirk is that those who resort to it believe it has an effect contrary to what Allah has decreed.

Ruqyah, as referenced in this hadith, refers to incantations involving jinn and devils, which are impermissible. However, recitations and supplications based on the Qur’an and legitimate invocations are permissible. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"There is no harm in using ruqyah as a means of treatment provided it does not consist of anything polytheistic."

(Sahih Muslim)

3. SIHR AT-TAKHYIL (FALSE APPEARANCE OF OBJECTS)

This type of magic causes illusions, making objects appear differently than they really are.

Allah says:

"They said, And We inspired Musa (Moses) (saying): 'Throw your stick,' and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed. Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated there and then, and were returned disgraced. And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. They said: 'We believe in the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).'"

(Surat Al-A`rāf 7:117-122)

"They said: 'O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?'. [Musa (Moses)] said: 'Nay, throw you (first)!' Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast."

(Surat Taha 20:65-66)

Symptoms:

Fixed objects appearing to be moving. Large objects appearing small and vice versa. Seeing illusions, such as ropes appearing as snakes.

4. SIHR AL-JUNOON (BECOMING INSANE)

This form of magic affects a person’s mental state, causing confusion and irrational behavior.

Kharija Ibn Salat reported that his uncle accepted Islam and, on his way back home, came across people who had restrained a lunatic. They asked if he had anything to cure him. He recited Surah Al-Fatihah over him, and the man was cured. They gave him a reward, and when he informed the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), he said:

"Take it, for by my life, some would accept in return for a false Ruqyah, but you have done this with a genuine one."

Symptoms:

Extreme forgetfulness and lack of focus. Disjointed speech and lack of coherence. Erratic behavior and inability to concentrate on tasks. Neglect of personal hygiene and appearance.

5. SIHR AL-KHUMUL (LETHARGY)

A sorcerer sends a jinn to reside in a person’s brain, making them withdrawn and unmotivated.

Symptoms:

Desire for isolation. Social withdrawal. Constant silence.Frequent headaches.Persistent fatigue.

6. SIHR AL-HAWATIF (BAD DREAMS & HEARING VOICES)

Symptoms:

Frequent nightmares. Hearing voices while awake. Excessive whispering (Waswas). Seeing oneself falling from heights in dreams.

7. SIHR AL-MARAD (ILLNESS)

Symptoms:

Chronic pain in specific areas.Unexplained epilepsy.Paralysis affecting certain body parts.Loss of function in a sensory organ.

8. SIHR AN-NAZIF (BLEEDING FOLLOWING MENSES)

This form of sihr specifically targets women by causing abnormal bleeding outside the usual menstrual cycle. The sorcerer commands a jinn to enter the woman's body and manipulate her blood flow, resulting in prolonged or frequent bleeding episodes.

The jinn settles within the woman's veins and targets a specific blood vessel in the uterus, stomping or pressing on it to induce excessive bleeding. This unnatural condition can cause severe distress, exhaustion, and a disruption of normal bodily functions. The afflicted woman may seek medical help, but doctors often find no clear physiological reason for the persistent bleeding, leaving the condition unresolved. Over time, the continuous blood loss weakens the body, potentially leading to anemia and extreme fatigue, and may also create tension between spouses due to the physical and emotional toll it takes on the affected woman.

Symptoms:

Continuous or irregular menstrual bleeding beyond the normal cycle. Sudden onset of excessive bleeding with no medical explanation. Feelings of exhaustion, weakness, and dizziness due to blood loss. Lack of response to medical treatment for menstrual irregularities. Disruptions in marital intimacy due to prolonged bleeding.

9. SIHR OF IMPEDING MARRIAGE

This form of sihr is designed to prevent a person, particularly a woman, from getting married by creating obstacles that dissuade suitors or break engagements. The sorcerer sends a jinn to the intended victim, influencing either her mind or the perceptions of those who approach her for marriage. If the jinn is able to enter the woman's body, it instills strong feelings of discomfort, fear, or irrational rejection whenever a suitor expresses interest.

The woman may feel an unexplainable sense of aversion, anxiety, or even repulsion toward potential matches, leading her to refuse all proposals. In cases where the jinn cannot enter her body, it instead affects the perception of the suitor, causing him to see the woman as unattractive or undesirable, even if she is otherwise beautiful and appealing. This manipulation often results in a once-interested suitor suddenly losing all desire to proceed with the marriage, without any clear reason. The effects of this sihr can persist for years, leaving the affected individual perplexed and hopeless about their inability to find a spouse.

Symptoms:

Repeated failure of marriage proposals without logical reasons, Feelings of anxiety, fear, or extreme discomfort when discussing marriage, Suitors who were initially interested suddenly losing interest without explanation, Experiencing inexplicable mood swings or sadness whenever marriage is mentioned, Unnatural aversion to potential spouses, despite their good qualities, Persistent headaches and tightness in the chest, especially in the evening, Strange dreams or nightmares involving marriage or rejection.

10. SIHR REGARDING SEXUAL INTIMACY

This category of sihr disrupts the natural sexual function between spouses, causing frustration and marital discord. The sorcerer commands a jinn to interfere with the affected individual’s ability to engage in intimate relations, either by blocking physical arousal or by inducing repulsion between spouses. This type of sihr manifests in different forms, including sexual impotence in men, frigidity in women, or pain and discomfort during intercourse.

A man may find that he is fully capable of experiencing arousal and erection when he is away from his wife, but as soon as he attempts to be intimate with her, his arousal disappears, leaving him unable to engage in intercourse. In other cases, the man may suffer from complete sexual impotence regardless of the situation. Similarly, a woman may experience a loss of sensation, an inability to feel desire, or physical discomfort during intimacy. In some instances, the jinn directly manipulates the nerves responsible for pleasure, making intercourse impossible or unpleasant.

Another form of this sihr involves extreme and unnatural bleeding specifically triggered during attempts at intimacy. In these cases, the jinn disrupts the normal functioning of the reproductive system, causing the woman to experience sudden, heavy bleeding as soon as her husband attempts intercourse. This form of sihr can be deeply distressing, creating tension and mistrust between spouses, often leading to marital breakdown if left untreated.

Symptoms:

Sudden loss of sexual desire toward one’s spouse, Inability to achieve arousal or erection only in the presence of one’s spouse, Physical pain or discomfort during intercourse, Loss of sensation or pleasure during intimacy, Unexplained bleeding occurring only during intimate moments, Unnatural aversion or repulsion toward one’s spouse, Episodes of extreme anxiety or sadness following failed attempts at intimacy.

This type of sihr is particularly destructive as it targets one of the core aspects of a healthy marriage, often leading to emotional distance, frustration, and potential separation if not addressed properly.