Discussion on channels that promote witchcraft (sihr), charlatanry and fortune-telling
Question

Nowadays there are channels that have become popular, which claim to cure people from magic spells and witchcraft (sihr), by finding out the names of their mothers and information about the afflicted person. They also claim to have knowledge of the future through astrology – or so they claim. What is the ruling on watching these channels?
Praise be to Allah.Praise be to Allah and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and upon his family, his companions and those who follow his guidance. To proceed…
What these channels broadcast of knowledge of witchcraft (sihr), charlatanry and fortune-telling is one of the gravest evils and greatest mischiefs, and it mis-guides people.
These are matters that based on lies, fabrications and claiming to have knowledge of the unseen through what they claim to do of looking at the stars, as they say, or from what they receive from their familiars among the devils of the jinn, although they may not have any knowledge of these devilish matters; rather they make these false claims in order to earn money. No one is deceived by these things except the ignorant, the heedless and those whose faith is weak. Allah has condemned witchcraft or magic (sihr) and its practitioners, and fortune tellers, as He, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{and the magician will not succeed wherever he is} [Taa-Haa 20:69]
{And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share} [al-Baqarah 2:102].
And Allah says regarding the magicians of Pharaoh:
{Moses said, “What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters”} [Yoonus 10:81].
It is proven in Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon) said: “Whoever goes to a soothsayer and asks him about anything, no prayer will be accepted from him for forty days.” In as-Sunan it says: “Whoever goes to a soothsayer or fortuneteller and asks him about anything and believes what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” Regardless of whether the questioner goes to them in person or calls them on the phone, the ruling is the same. Based on that, one must beware of watching these programs, for watching them – even if it is only for entertainment, is haraam. As for contacting the presenters of these programs and asking them questions, the warning mentioned above is applicable. The heads of families must prevent their families from watching such programs or contacting these practitioners of witchcraft and charlatans. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Each of you is in a position of trust and is responsible for what he is entrusted with…” And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, then let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]…” The Muslims must advise one another, beware and advise others not to contact these channels, whose main aim is to earn money, even if it is by haraam means. In fact, most of them intend to cause mischief and corruption. So we say: Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of affairs.
Signatories:
Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan ibn Naasir al-Barraak.
Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan al-Jibreen.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillah ar-Raajihi.