seihr

Sihr, also transliterated seihr, is the Arabic term سِحْر meaning magic or sorcery. In Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures, it denotes practices believed to manipulate persons, events, or natural forces through supernatural means, often attributed to the involvement of jinn or spirits. Etymologically from the root س-ح-ر (s-ḥ-r) “to enchant,” the term appears in classical Arabic literature and Islamic jurisprudence.

In Islam, sihr is generally considered forbidden and harmful. The Qur'an and hadith acknowledge the existence of magic but treat it as a deceptive and dangerous practice. Performing or seeking sihr is viewed as a major sin and commonly linked to shirk when it involves invoking beings other than God. Jurists emphasize that human agency cannot override God's will.

Common forms described in traditional sources include incantations, amulets or talismans, and spells designed to cause harm, influence relationships, or misfortune. Some accounts reference the use of objects, hairs, or cords by practitioners; modern discussions often distinguish between alleged magical effects and psychosocial explanations.

Remedies within Islamic practice emphasize faith, repentance, and the recitation of the Qur'an. Ruqyah, or Islamic healing through prescribed supplications and verses, is commonly employed to treat alleged sihr, administered by a qualified practitioner or trusted religious scholar. Authorities caution against fraud, sensationalism, or any practice that mimics magic but lacks religious sanction.

Historically, sihr figures in Islamic tradition as a phenomenon with real but reducible influence, best countered by adherence to tawhid, prayer, and the protective verses of the Qur'an.