Ayaat al-Sihr – Combating Magic through the Qur’an
Part 3 of “The Regimen: Ruqyah with the Qur’an and Sunnah”
Compiled by Dalia Elamawy
Introduction
Among the most powerful protections against harm are the ayaat revealed regarding sihr (magic).
These verses affirm that harm only occurs by Allah’s permission, expose the reality of false sorcery, and strengthen conviction that healing and protection come from Him alone.
Surat al-Baqarah (البقرة) 102–103
102. 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 disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut.
But neither of these two taught anyone till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not.”
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 what harms them and profits them not. Indeed, they knew that those who bought it would have no share in the Hereafter.
And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew.
103. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!
Points to Ponder
This ayah is a powerful disavowal of Prophet Sulaiman ﷺ from the shirk of sihr.
I affirm through it that no harm can come to me except by the will of Allah.
Anyone who resorts to sihr is doomed to a wretched end — an end he has purchased for a meager price.
Virtue and Benefit
These ayaat are extremely powerful against sihr and the shayateen.
How to Use It for Ruqyah
In cases of sihr or jinn possession, repeat the parts of admonition and warning to increase the effect.
The recitation should be assertive and clear — not meek nor hesitant.
Surat al-Baqarah (البقرة) 164–165
164. Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, in the alternation of night and day, the ships that sail through the sea for the benefit of mankind, and the rain which Allah sends down from the sky — reviving the earth after its death — and the moving creatures of all kinds He scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds between the sky and the earth, are indeed signs for people of understanding.
165. And of mankind are some who take others besides Allah as rivals. They love them as they love Allah.
But those who believe love Allah more.
If only those who do wrong could see, when they behold the torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is Severe in punishment.
Points to Ponder
The signs of creation point to the magnificence and irresistible power of the Creator, to whom I have submitted myself wholly.
My belief in Him is my fortress — one that those who set up rivals to Allah can never overcome.
How to Use It for Ruqyah
This is a powerful ayah against shayṭān.
Repeat the ending of the ayah multiple times to increase its effect against evil or harm.
Ayatul Kursi (البقرة 255)
(divinely revealed توقيفي)
Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa — none has the right to be worshipped but He,
the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.
Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth.
Who can intercede with Him except by His Permission?
He knows what happens to them in this world and what will happen to them in the Hereafter.
And they will never grasp anything of His Knowledge except what He wills.
His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth,
and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.
He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Points to Ponder
This is the greatest ayah in the entire Qur’an — how can any evil withstand it?
It encompasses every aspect of tawheed and contains Allah’s most beautiful names: Al-Hayy and Al-Qayyoom.
I submit myself wholly to Him.
Virtue and Benefit
Ayatul Kursi is the greatest protection from all evil. Even Shayṭān himself admitted this when caught stealing!
[Authentic narrations: IslamQA 6092]
How to Use It for Ruqyah
Recite it an odd number of times.
It is foundational for all types of ruqyah — for physical pain, psychological affliction, ‘ain, sihr, or possession.
The Last Two Ayahs of Surat al-Baqarah (285–286)
(divinely revealed توقيفي)
285. The Messenger ﷺ believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers.
Each one believes in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers.
They say, “We make no distinction between any of His Messengers.”
They say, “We hear and we obey. Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return.”
286. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
It will have the reward it has earned and it will bear the burden it has earned.
“Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or fall into error.
Our Lord! Do not lay upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.
Our Lord! Do not burden us beyond what we can bear.
Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us.
You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
Background Story
When verse 284 was revealed — “To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth…” —
the Companions fell to their knees and said, “O Messenger of Allah! We were commanded to do what we could bear — prayer, fasting, charity — but this ayah is beyond us.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Do you want to say as the People of the Book said: ‘We hear and disobey’? Rather, say:
‘We hear and obey. Forgive us, O our Lord; to You is the return.’”
When they accepted this and recited it, Allah revealed:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
Points to Ponder
Like the Companions, I submit to Allah unfalteringly.
I hear and I obey.
I seek protection from what befell those before us.
I know that Allah will never burden me beyond my strength.
I seek His mercy, forgiveness, and clemency — for soon I will return to Him.
Virtue and Benefit
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
— Agreed upon (Bukhari and Muslim)
They are sufficient against all evil.
How to Use It for Ruqyah
Recite them an odd number of times.
These verses are foundational for all forms of ruqyah.
These ayaat expose false magic, strengthen the believer’s tawheed, and fill the heart with yaqeen that no harm nor healing exists except by Allah’s command.
Next in the series:
“Allah’s Power and Dominion” — verses that remind the heart that every force in creation is under Allah’s control.