A young man is asking what he should do with his mother who spends most of her time outdoors. Her behavior has aroused suspicions. She refuses to listen to her children’s advice. Even though they are capable of preventing her by force, they do not do this because they fear the wrath of Allaah. They have tried everything with her except two things: force and magic. Should they resort to magic to prevent the collapse of their family? Please advise us.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Our noble Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered the person who sees something wrong being committed to try to change it with his hand; if he cannot, then he must try to change it with his tongue (verbally), but if he lacks the ability to do this, then he must at least deny it in his heart - and that is certainly the lowest level of faith. [Muslim]

Ibn Al-‘Arabi commented on this Hadeeth saying that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, started with the last choice that could be applied in changing wrongdoing: the change with the hand. In other words, the change by force. He added that it is known that one must try words first (i.e. verbally), but if this fails, then he may resort to force.

Therefore, if this woman’s children are certain that their mother’s going out is unlawful, they must advise her and try to convince her to stop doing that. If she refuses to listen, then it is permissible for them to prevent her from going out. This is if no worse consequence is expected if she is forced to stay at home.

When explaining the previous Hadeeth, An-Nawawi confirmed that the act of enjoining good and forbidding evil is obligatory; however, it is a communal obligation (doing it by part of the community drops the responsibility from the rest). He added that sometimes it may become obligatory on a specific person; for instance, when no one knows about the situation or no one can change it except a specific person, such as the husband or the father who sees his wife or child doing something wrong or being negligent about performing something good. For further information, you may read Fatwa 77735.

Using magic to solve problems is absolutely unlawful because it is considered one of the most destructive major sins.

Allaah Knows best.