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Washing with blood is clearly an evil action and is haraam

20-11-2000

Question 8216

My mother was sick and she went to a number of hospitals, but to no avail. In the end, she went to a kaahin (soothsayer or fortuneteller) who told her to wash with goat’s blood. In fact my mother did what he asked her to do – not knowing the shar’i ruling. Do we have to offer any kafaarah? May Allaah reward you with good. 

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

It is not permissible to go to soothsayers, astrologers, magicians or any other kind of tricksters. It is not permissible to ask them anything or to believe what they say. This is one of the gravest of major sins.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to a fortuneteller and asks him about something, his prayers will not be accepted for forty days.” (Narrated by Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to a soothsayer or fortuneteller and believes what he says has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” (Narrated by the authors of Sunan with a saheeh isnaad). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He is not one of us who practises magic or has magic done for him, or who tells fortunes or has his fortune told, or who practises augury or has augury done for him. Whoever goes to a soothsayer and believes what he says has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” (narrated by al-Bazzaar with a jayyid isnaad). 

With regard to washing with blood, it is clearly an evil action and is haraam, because it is not permissible to seek treatment with things that are naajis (impure). Abu Dawood (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in his Sunan from Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has sent down the disease and the cure; He has made for every disease a cure, so seek treatment but do not seek treatment with that which is haraam.” And He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah does not make your healing in that which He has forbidden to you.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi and classed as saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan from the hadeeth of Umm Salamah, may Allaah be pleased with her). So your mother has to repent to Allaah and not do such a thing again. Whoever repents sincerely, Allaah will accept his repentance, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”[al-Noor 24:31]

 Sincere repentance also includes regret for past sins, and giving them up, and resolving not to go back to them, out of veneration and love for Allaah, and the desire to seek His pleasure and avoid His wrath. If the sin has to do with the rights of another, then correct repentance is subject to a fourth condition, which is restoring his rights or seeking his forgiveness. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek. 

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