Do magic spells really exist? How can a person under a magic spell be cured?

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

There is evidence in the Quran, Sunnah (tradition) and the consensus of recognized scholars on the reality of magic spells. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And from the evil of the blowers in knots.}[Quran 113:4] This verse refers to witches blowing on knots (to cast spells).

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And the magician will not succeed wherever he is.}[Quran 29:46]

'Aa’ishah said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was once placed under a spell. [Al-Bukhari]

Magic is the use of words spoken or written by a magician to affect the body, heart or mind of an individual. The effects of magic can cause a person to die or contract a disease. It can also prevent a person from having sexual intercourse with his wife. It can make a husband divorce his wife and can make one spouse hate the other. In addition, it can make two persons unwittingly develop love for each other. However, the effects of magic cannot take place without the will of Allaah The Almighty Who Says (what means): {And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife.}[Quran 29:46]

If a person puts someone under a spell, he is considered guilty of committing a major sin. Moreover, he might even cease to be a Muslim if his spell involves an act of disbelief, such as slaughtering animals for Jinn, or desecrating the Quran or part of it.

If a person is under the influence of a spell, there are two ways of undoing it:

To ask a magician to undo it, and this is impermissible. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that the practice of undoing spells with talismans was from Satan. [Ahmad narrated this Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Jaabir .] Al-Hasan commented saying that undoing spells using talismans was a type of magic.

To undo it by performing Ruqyah (which includes reading Quranic verses and supplications). This is permissible. Ibn Abi Haatim quoted Layth ibn Abu Sulaym both, as saying that he had learnt that there were verses which could undo magic spells, with the will of Allaah The Almighty. These verses are to be read into a vessel of water, and then this water is to be poured over the head of the person under a spell. These verses are as follows:

{And when they had thrown, Moosaa (Moses) said, "What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters. And Allah will establish the truth by His words, even if the criminals dislike it."}[Quran 10:81-82]

{So the truth was established, and abolished was what they were doing. And Pharaoh and his people were overcome right there and became debased. And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, The Lord of Moosa (Moses) and Haaroon (Aaron)."}[Quran 7:118-122]

{What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is."}[Quran 20:69]

It is also recommended to recite verse no. 255 of Soorat Al-Baqarah, in addition to Soorah Faatihah, Al-Falaq and An-Naas along with the aforementioned verses.

A person should always observe the Athkaar (remembrance) of night and day. He must also abstain from doing impermissible acts. This is one of the most effective methods that prevent and cure a person of the harmful effects of magic.  

And Allaah Knows best.