Learning Sorcery in Order to Repel Sorcery

Question

‘Umar, by means of sorcery and base spells, has cast Zayd’s life and property into ruin and affliction. In such a situation, may Zayd, to protect his life and property, learn sorcery and defend himself with it, or may some other person defend him by means of sorcery? Is it permissible to learn sorcery for defence or not?

Answer

Sorcery in which one must adopt an act or a belief with which iman does not survive — it is in no way permissible to learn it, to practise it, or to have another practise it. [ar]قَالَ الشَّيْخُ أَبُو مَنْصُورٍ الْمَاتُرِيدِيُّ: الْقَوْلُ بِأَنَّ السِّحْرَ كُفْرٌ عَلَى الْإِطْلَاقِ خَطَأٌ، بَلْ يَجِبُ الْبَحْثُ عَنْهُ: فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي ذَلِكَ رَدُّ مَا لَزِمَهُ فِي شَرْطِ…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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