The Holy Qur'an, like a profound ocean, encompasses infinite meanings and knowledges, each word and concept opening a window towards understanding divine truth and wisdom. Among these, the concepts of magic, revelation, and subjugation stand out prominently, having been repeatedly addressed in the luminous verses of the Qur'an. These concepts, not merely from linguistic and semantic perspectives but as realities within the cosmic order, hold a distinguished position in Islamic thought. Magic, with over ninety mentions in the Qur'an, appears as a dark shadow opposing the light of revelation that brings guidance and clarity. Subjugation, likewise, functions as a key for human utilisation of the created order, unlocking authority and knowledge. This treatise, by reflecting upon Qur'anic verses and deeply analysing the meanings of these three concepts, endeavours to elucidate their various dimensions in a clear and dignified language for researchers and seekers of truth. In this process, literary metaphors and allusions are employed so as to simultaneously preserve the spirit of Qur'anic knowledge and establish a spiritual connection with the audience.
Magic and its related terms such as sir (magic), sir (magician), sirn (magicians), suar (magicians), masr (bewitched), and masrn (those bewitched) are mentioned more than ninety times in the Holy Qur'an. This frequency indicates the importance of the concept within the Qur'anic discourse. For instance, the word sir alone occurs twenty-six times, sir twelve times, and sirn and suar around twenty times. Even the term bil-ashr, referring to the time before dawn, appears once or twice in verses such as and those who seek forgiveness in the early dawn (Al-Imrn: 3). This repetition denotes the semantic dominion of magic over a certain realm and introduces it as an influential reality in human history and society.
The word sir derives from the root s--r, meaning darkness and the time before dawn. This root refers to gloom, ignorance, and ambiguity; hence sir designates the pre-dawn time when darkness still prevails and mankind is on the threshold of light. In the Qur'an, magic is defined as an act that creates illusion, misguidance, and distortion of reality. For example, in the verse And when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people and caused terror (Al-Arf: 116), magic is described as an act that deceives the eyes and instils fear and ambiguity in hearts.
Magic is described in the Qur'an with multiple features that each illuminate a dimension of its nature and impact:
Magic, due to its creation of darkness, misguidance, and corruption, is condemned in the Holy Qur'an and is generally prohibited. The verse And the magicians will not prosper (Ash-Shuar: 185) explicitly mentions the condemnation of magic. However, its prohibition depends on its intention and misleading effect, not merely the existence of power. In cases where magic is employed without intention of misguidance or oppression such as the magicians in the story of Moses (Peace be upon him) who believed (Then the magicians fell prostrate. They said: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses, Al-Arf: 121-122) it can be exempted from prohibition.
Magic in the Holy Qur'an is attributed to various groups:
Although magic can create illusions and influence psychology and behaviour, it is powerless against divine revelation. In the story of Moses (Peace be upon him), Pharaohs magicians made ropes and staffs appear to move by magic, but Moses miracle nullified it (So the truth was established, and what they were doing was rendered worthless, Al-Arf: 118
