Is Learning Sihr Lawful?

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar reported: "The verse (We (the Jinn) are but a temptation; do not disbelieve,) indicates that learning sihr is an act of disbelief." FathAl-Barr.10/225

Ibn Qudama reported: "That learning or teaching sihr is an unlawful act is an uncontroversial issue among scholars as far as we know. The Hanbalists hold that a person becomes an unbeliever if he learns to practise sihr, whether he believes in sihr as lawful or unlawful."

According to Ar-Razi: "Researchers in the subject of sihr agree that knowledge of sihr is not shameful nor unlawful, on the basis that seeking knowledge is an honourable pursuit in itself, and also on the basis of the general meaning of the verse: (Say: "Are those with knowledge and those without knowledge equal?) (39:9)

Furthermore, if sihr were not accessible to learn, it would not be possible to distinguish it from a miraculous work; and knowledge of whether or not something is a miracle is obligatory. Therefore, acquiring knowledge of sihr is obligatory and what is obligatory cannot be unlawful or shameful."

According to Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir: "There are, however, arguments concerning Ar-Razi’s view. First, if Ar-Razi meant that learning sihr is not shameful, logically, then there opponents of sihr among the Mu'tazilites deny such a view. However, if he meant that learning sihr is not shameful, legally (under Islamic Law), then learning how to practice sihr has been condemned in the following verse (...and they follow what the Satans recited over Sulayman's Kingdom. Sulayman disbelieved not but the Satans disbelieved, teaching the people sorcery...), and in general, in the following hadiths; "And whosoever has sought the services of a clairvoyant or soothsayer, has in fact disbelieved in the Message sent to Muhammad (Peace and Blessing upon Him)." (Transmitted in Al-Bukhari), and "Whosever ties a knot and blows into it, has committed an act of sihr." (Transmitted in the Sunan).

Second, how can it be that 'researchers on the subject of sihr agree that knowledge of sihr is not unlawful' whilst the Qur'an and the hadith warn against its learning. Furthermore, agreement among researchers requires evidence which proves that the leading scholars, or most of them, hold that it is not unlawful to learn it. But where are their views? Moreover, including the learning of sihr in the meaning of know  in the verse:

(Say: "Are those with knowledge and those without knowledge equal?) (39:9) is disputable, because this verse praises scholars who are learned in the disciplines of the Islamic religion.

Also, the view that knowing the work of a miracle is dependable on learning sihr is weak and incorrect. This is because, the most magnificent miracles that happened to Muhammad (Peace and Blessing upon Him) was the revelation of the Qur'an. Therefore, knowledge of the Qur'an as a miracle does not necessarily depend on learning sihr. Another argument is that it is common that the companions of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing upon Him) scholarly predecessors, contemporary leading Muslim scholars and ordinary Muslims would know a miraculous work and would distinguish it from other acts, and they did not have to know sihr, learn or teach it.

Abu Hayan stated in Al-Bahr Al-Muhif. "The sihr which glorifies other than Allah ('Azza wa Jalla), such as planets and demons is unanimously an act of disbelief, and, therefore, it is unlawful to learn or use. Also, the sihr which intends to kill or separate between a husband and his wife or between two friends, is unlawful to learn or use. Even the sihr which has purposes other than those stated above should not be learnt nor used. In addition, charlatanism, magic and the like must not be learnt because they are part of falsehood; even if they are used as a means of entertainment."

This is a sound view which should be relied on as far as learning sihr is concerned.