37/19. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4079 — Magic, Shirk, and Dependence on Amulets
Ruling on Practitioners of Magic
Hadith About Magic, Shirk, and Amulets
Sunan an-Nasai : 4079
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4079
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبَّادُ بْنُ مَيْسَرَةَ الْمِنْقَرِيُّ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ عَقَدَ عُقْدَةً ثُمَّ نَفَثَ فِيهَا فَقَدْ سَحَرَ وَمَنْ سَحَرَ فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ وَمَنْ تَعَلَّقَ شَيْئًا وُكِّلَ إِلَيْهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever ties a know and blows on it, he has practiced magic; and whoever practices magic, he has committed Shirk; and whoever hangs up something (as an amulet) will be entrusted to it.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4079In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 114English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4084
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4079
This hadith about magic and amulets contains three connected warnings. First, it says that tying a knot and blowing on it is an act of magic. Second, it states that whoever practices magic has committed shirk. Third, it warns that whoever hangs or attaches something will be entrusted to that thing. The central issue is dependence: a person should not place spiritual trust in magical practices or attached objects. The narration directly links knot-blowing sorcery with magic and links magic with associating partners with Allah. It also warns against relying on an amulet or similar object as though it controls benefit or harm. The text calls the believer back to trust in Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Knot-blowing for magic is condemned in the narration.
- The hadith directly connects practicing magic with shirk.
- Depending on an attached object is presented as spiritually dangerous.
- Trust should be directed to Allah rather than magical objects.
