Magic
is an ancient element that is the result of human thought combined with
primitive tools and empty hands. Humans have employed it in disasters, and it
has long dominated human society's public culture. According to the history of
religions, people believed in magic and witchcraft in several aspects of their
lives at the time. And, in times of crisis and despair, people's beliefs become
even stronger. It may be stated that humans were attempting to obtain
prosperity in some way. One of the causes that drove humans to practice magic
and witchcraft was their desire for happiness.
In
this considered as important work, it is discovered that with the rise of
religion, humans acknowledge that there is a force above all powers that is the
cause of all consequences, and that humans can alter their propensity from
magic to religion.
Magic as word:
The
word used in Arabic for magic is Sehr. In the Al-Mufradat fi Gharib for words
in Quran there are three meanings for this word:
1.
Deception and illusions without reality like magic and sleight of hand.
2.
The specific methods to draw demons to seek help from them.
3.
Changing the nature and form of individuals and entities with special equipment
(Raghib Isfahani, 1991, p.
400).
When
you look at the word's original meaning, it means presenting falsehood as truth
and causing changes in the essence and shape of humans and entities through
secret affairs and deception by people, which leads to Satan.
Religions' Contribution
to Magic's Weakness:
Magics
are mentioned in sacred books as if there is no doubt regarding their
existence. Magic exists there. There has been much debate over the origins of
witchcraft and sorcery. It has been deduced from scrolls, drawings, signs, and
artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations that witchcraft and
sorcery have been practiced by humanity from the dawn of time. Myths and magic
were embraced as faith and religion by ancient peoples before the entrance of
monotheistic faiths and prophets, as well as the birth and development of
science. They deal with magic in the same way that monotheistic religions are
dealt with later. In reality, the myth was a tool that helped individuals
meet their daily requirements.
During
the time of the prophets, people shied away from magic and wizardry. And they
believed in God, the creator and owner of the universe, but with the Prophet's
death and the passage of time, as well as the influx of troubles, they have
succumbed to superstition, and they occasionally refer to wizards. After
Prophet Solomon's (as) death, all notes collected from the people during the
Prophet's (peace be upon him) lifetime were returned to the people. And some
began to promote and teach witchcraft, while others took advantage of the
opportunity to claim that Prophet Solomon (as) had ruled the land by magic.
Some Israelites followed the magicians as well. As a result, in Babylon,
sorcery had reached a pinnacle, and God sent Harut and Marut to deter people
from practising witchcraft and magic.
Wizards'
work progressively disappeared with the advent of religions such as
Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. They not only lost favor with
the populace, but they were also viewed as the primary adversary of these
religions. In fact, these faiths used all of their power to eliminate previous
religions' false and superstitious ideas and thoughts, and because magic and
sorcery were heritage traditions before developing religions, magicians were
viewed as leaders of the beliefs and an adversary.
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