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Fatwa CenterMaking a movie about magic and jinn
Question
Alsalamu Alikum, I'm a filmmaker/producer and that's my main area of study also.I'm thinking of producing a film about sorcerers and how they use sehr (magic) to hurt people. It's about a young man who's affected by magic and the trauma that he goes through. The narrative concentrates on the history of magicians and the consequences of magic that's performed on people. Jinn will be depicted in human/animal form only and therefore their unknown form will not be shown at all. The possession of the young man that takes place is based on real happenings that affected people go through. This has been extensively researched. Furthermore, a scholar in the story offers real knowledge about the character's happenings and the solution to the possession. The film's goal is to entice viewers to watch the movie without coming out as "preaching" but rather "entertaining" and teaching. The main character is a non-muslim but the scholar in the story is. The scholar offers advice from an Islamic perspective about the Jinn, their history and about magicians. In one scene, the scholar uses Ayah Alkursi to destroy an evil jinn in human form who flames up in fire once destroyed. Is it haram to produce such a film?Jazzakum Allah Khayr
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Contemporary scholars held different opinions regarding the status of acting in the Islamic law. The soundest view is perhaps that it is permissible on certain conditions. Ibn ʻUthaymeen 
was among those scholars who held that acting is permitted so long as it meets the following conditions:
"First, acting must be free of lies; if it involves lies, it is deemed impermissible.
Second, it must be free of playing the roles of those worthy of special respect such as Prophets, the Companions, Muslim leading scholars and the like.
Third, that it involves benefit such as addressing significant social issues or the like.
Fourth, a man must not play a woman’s role and vice versa.
Fifth, a human being must not play a role of an animal like the case when people play the role of cows or sheep, dogs, or the like for instance.
Sixth, a Muslim must not play a role of a non-Muslim like the case when a Muslim man plays the role of Abu Jahl, for example.”
The information provided in the question about your movie indicates that it is not free of the above violations. For instance, your movie would include people playing the role of devils or a sorcerer, which is impermissible, even if played by non-Muslims. Non-Muslims are required to observe the applied teachings of Islam as well according to the preponderant scholarly opinion in this regard; they are required to abide by the religious obligations and prohibitions that Muslims are required to observe and for which they will be held accountable. Please refer to Fatwa 85569.
Based on that, it is better for you to strive to seek another suitable and permissible alternative to accomplish your objective. You may film some relevant real-life incidents followed by the commentary of a reliable scholar and an exposition of its status in the Sharee'ah (Islamic law).
We implore Allaah to reward you generously for your keenness to clarify the truth for people and to combat divination, magic and superstitions.
Allaah Knows best.
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