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Fatwa CenterUsing magic to get job
Question
If a person asks someone to do magic for him to get a job at a halal place, will the money that he earns be halal? My opinion is that the person is guilty of a sin by having asked someone to do magic but given that he works at a halal place and works hard to earn money, is the money halal or haram? Also, if he includes that he wants his salary to be increased but, again, he works hard and he gets paid for what he does?
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.
It is impermissible for the Muslim to use magic in order to get a job or anything else. Magic is a grave, major sin. Abu Hurayrah 
narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “Avoid the seven destructive sins.” People asked, “O Messenger of Allaah! What are they?” He said, “Ascribing partners to Allaah in worship, magic, killing a soul whom Allaah has forbidden the killing of except in cases dictated by Islamic law, consuming interest, usurping the property of an orphan, fleeing from the enemy when the battle begins, and accusing chaste women who never even think of anything that would tarnish their chastity and are good believers.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
You should know that magic has no effect except with the permission of Allaah; He says (what means): {...But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allaah...} [Quran 2:102] How did this person know that he got his job because of the work of the magician? It could have been a mere coincidence and he was destined to get that job anyway.
In any case, if this person is qualified for his job and carries out his work as due, then there is no harm in that and his salary is lawful for him. The same ruling applies to the increase in his salary as long as it is paid in return for the work that he does.
Shaykh Ibn ʻUthaymeen 
was asked, “A man sought the help of a magician to be transferred to another region so as to be close to his parents and be able to show dutifulness to them because he could not be transferred through the regular work channels. It has been six years since he resorted to that magician. What is the religious ruling on the salary that he has been receiving for all these past years after his transfer?”
He answered:
“This act is prohibited and may even lead to disbelief; may Allaah safeguard us. The magicians and sorcerers seek the help of the devils, and they mostly do not help anyone with anything unless they commit shirk (ascribe partners to Allaah in worship). It is incumbent on him to repent to Allaah of his sinful action. If he does so, Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {...So, whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allaah...} [Quran 2:275] I personally recommend that he leaves this job and looks for another because he got this job as a result of committing a prohibited action; however, we do not believe that he wronged anyone in the process. He is not obliged to quit the job, but I personally recommend it. I believe that it perfects his repentance of such a sinful act; hopefully, Allaah would bless him with steadfastness on the right path if He sees his sincerity in repentance and keenness to earn His pleasure.” [Liqaa’ Al-Baab Al-Maftooh]
Allaah knows best.
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