Learning sorcery in order to repel sorcery

Question

Question: ʿUmar, by means of sorcery (sihr) and base (black) magic, has put Zayd’s life and property in peril and calamity. In such a situation, should Zayd, in protecting his life and property, learn sorcery and defend himself, or should someone else defend him by means of sorcery? Is it permissible to learn sorcery for defence or not?

Answer

Sorcery that requires adopting some act or belief after which iman does not remain — learning it, performing it, or having someone else perform it: none of this is permissible. [ar]قال الشيخ أبو منصور الماتريدي: القول بأن السحر كفر على الإطلاق خطأ، بل يجب البحث عنه، فإن كان في ذلك ردّ ما لزمه في شرط الإيمان فهو كفر، وإلا فلا، فلو فعل ما فيه هلاك إنسان أو مرضه أو تفريق بينه…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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