Guide-to-Sound-Creed-A-Book-on-Muslim-Creed-and-Faith

102 <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Sound</strong> <strong>Creed</strong>
"We went along with the Messenger ofAllah (PBUH) before (the Battle
of) Hunayn. At that time, we were new <strong>to</strong> Islam. We passed by a lote
tree belonging <strong>to</strong> the polytheists who were intent in devotion <strong>to</strong> it and
they used <strong>to</strong> hang their arms on it. We said, '0 Messenger ofAllah!
Make a tree for us Dhatu Anwat (a tree <strong>to</strong> hang our arms on) as the
disbelievers have Dhatu Anwat.' The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Allah
is the Greatest! (You have followed the evil) traditions (of previous
nations.) By the One in Whose Hand my life is, you have said the
same as the Children ofIsrael said <strong>to</strong> Musa (Moses), ~..makefor us a
godjust as they have gods.' He said, 'Indeed, you are a people behaving
ignorantly .. .' (Qur'an: AI-A'ra!: 138) You willfollow the traditions of
those (nations) before you.' "
(Related by At-Tirmidhi who deemed it ~ahih)
4. Sorcery
It is a practice in which evil spirits are used <strong>to</strong> produce supernatural effects
or control events in nature. It is called 'sorcery' because the way by which the
sorcerer attains his purpose is unseen. In practicing sorcery, the sorcerer may use
channs, spells, or rituals. It may, sometimes, have an effect on bodies, hearts and
may even cause death. It also causes dissension between a man and his wife. The
influence of sorcery cannot occur without Allah's Will.
In addition, sorcery is a devilish act, which quite often entails polytheism, and
is attained through coming closer <strong>to</strong> wicked spirits and seeking their assistance. It
is held as an act ofpolytheism for two main reasons. First, it entails an attachment
<strong>to</strong> devils and seeking their affection by responding <strong>to</strong> their dictates. Second, a
sorcerer alleges the capability of knowing the unseen, which is solely limited <strong>to</strong>
Allah. Claiming such a faculty ofknowing the unseen by a sorcerer is nothing but
disbelief and aberration.
'~ .•But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that
whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would nothave in the Hereafter
any share." (Qur'an: AI-Baqarah: 102)
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'Avoid the seven most
destructive major sins.' It was said, '0 Messenger ofAllah! What are
they?' He said, '(The seven most destructive major sins are: <strong>to</strong> join
others in worship along with Allah, <strong>to</strong> practice sorcery, <strong>to</strong> kill the
soul which Allah has forbidden <strong>to</strong> be killed except for a just cause