"Magic shows" and Islam

26-3-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the Islamic rules about watching "magic show" performed by Muslim or non-Muslims and also buying ticket to watch them?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Magic is a major sin. Engaging in it drives the person away from Islam Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Sulaimân did not disbelieve, but the Shayâtin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic}[2:102].
The same rule applies to teaching or studying it. So, attending magic shows is forbidden as it helps magicians in sin and transgression. Allah forbid us to do this: "Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression".[5:2].
Attending such shows leads to sitting in gatherings where acts prohibited by Allah are done. This is also forbidden. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allâh will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell,} [4:140].
No doubt that buying or selling the tickets for such shows is forbidden, as these tickets are the means by which one could participate in such shows.
Allah knows best.