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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 3) Q70: Is Magic Allowed? Is it allowed in Islam to practice magic, witchcraft or astrology? A. There are scores of Ahadith condemning these practices and likening such persons to a Kafir. Q71: FOLLOWING MAGICIAN'S ADVICE I have read in Kitabu cha Saumu that Uchawi (witchcraft) is Gunahe Kabira.

Some time back a magician published the following for persons with certain stars or names starting with letter 'M' or names with certain number of letters; He says that for such a person for good luck, (a) he recommends Olive-oil or palmoil; (b) he recommends Rose or Jasmine perfume; (c) he recommends Yellow or Near Yellow clothes.

Further, in times of trouble or illness or when meeting "big persons" one should keep in pocket in cotton wool a garlic boiled in coconut oil and should sleep with it under pillow and he should keep head tilted towards east and when sleeping also. Furthermore he recommends travelling to west and north and avoiding east and south as far as possible. I have tried these and they seem to work. To my knowledge none of the proposals constitute any 'Haram' thing. Is this "Uchawi' and thus haram?

Should I stop this practice? To my knowledge our religion actually encourages white and yellow clothes and also perfumes. I pray daily and take deep interest in Islam. A. Now coming to your question about 'MAGIC', you better stop following such things. Of course, it is Sunnat to use perfume. But it will bring 'thawab' (Reward) only if it is used because the Prophet or Imam told you to do so.

If you use it because a magician told you to do so, then it bring you no 'thawab' and you will be guilty of following a 'Magician'. It is not possible to write more details on this subject at present. Suffice it to quote Hadhrat Ali (a.s.): "Anybody who listens to a man, is worshipping him.

Now, if that speaker tells the words of God then this listener is worshipping God; and if the speaker is telling the words of Satan, then the listener is worshipping Satan." Q72: WHAT ABOUT PALMISTRY, ISTIKHARAH, "SAAD" AND "NAHAS" DATES AND QAMAR-DAR-AQRAB? What have you to say about Palmistry, Istikharah and Qur'anic Consultation in the light of Sheriat? Some Shias check up the dates and the year from calenders for "Saad", "Nahas" and "Qamar-Dar-Aqrab". "Navroz" comes on 'hare'.

Have all these things any religious significance? A. Palmistry is not recognized by the Sheriat.