First of all, we would like to stress that it is impermissible for a Muslim man to visit a soothsayer or a magician to help him dispel the magic through the special knowledge those people have. About the astrologers (manajjimun) it is correctly said, “They are liars even if what they say turn out to be true.” Whatever they say is based on illusion and imagination and not on any solid knowledge. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade Muslims from going to the fortunetellers. It is reported by Abu Hurayrah and Hasan (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whosoever went to a soothsayer or fortuneteller and believed in him, he disbelieved in what is revealed upon Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).” (Reported by Ahmad)

It should however be noted that reciting verses on water and then drinking them is not a form of magic rather a way of dispelling it, the eminent Muslim scholar Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, in this regard states the following: “There is a reference to that (i.e. reciting verses on water and then drinking them) in the acts of some of the righteous precedecessors. However, the best course of action in this regard is to recite the Two Protective Surahs (i.e. Al-Mu`awwedhatayni) as well as the well-known protective adhkar in this regard.”

Elaborating more on this, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following:

Below are selections of verses of the Qur’an and du`a’ which one can recite on a regular basis to help protect us against black magic:

1) Al-Fatihah

2) Last three chapters of the Qur’an (i.e., Surahs 112, 113, 114)

3) Ayat al-Kursi (i.e., Al-Baqarah: 255)</ p>

Besides the above, repeat the following du`a’s on a regular basis both in the morning and evening three times or more:

1)Bismillahi alladhi la yadurru ma`a ismihi shay’un fi al-ardi wa la fi as-sama’i wa huwa as-sami`u al-`alim

(In the name of Allah; with His name, nothing whatsoever on earth or heaven can inflict any harm; He is All-Hearing and All-Knowing).

2)Hasbiya Allahu la ilaha illa huwa `alayhi tawakkaltu wahuwa rabbu al-`arshi al-`azhim

(Allah suffices me; there is no god but He; in Him I place my sole trust; He is the Lord of the mighty Throne).

3)Allaahumma ini a`duhu bika min hamazati ash-shayatin wa a`udhu bika rabbi an yahdurun

(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the whisperings of Satan; my Lord, I seek refuge in You from their presence around me).

4)A`udhu bi `izzati Allahi wa qudratihi mimma ajidu wa uhadhiru

(I seek refuge in Allah’s glory and power from the affliction and pain I experience and suffer from).

It is important to remember that du`a’ and dhikr will only benefit when it comes from a heart that firmly believes in Allah, and thus cherishes firm conviction in Allah’s power and sovereignty.”