Is Learning Magic in a Game Permissible?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

I read fantasy comics and play games about “magic”. I read that learning magic is kufr? Is it kufr if I learn magic in comics or games Without the intention to practice it in real life?

I learn the “magic” in the comic to follow the story, know what the character is talking about, or know how I can do that “magic”. In my character in video games, for example, if I want to use a flame or lightning on my sword, I have to learn some basic “magic” skills, learn a sword, do meditation, buy some gold, etc. Is it kufr? 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. We pray that Allah guides us to make the best use of our short time on earth and facilitates beautiful ways to find rejuvenation in forms that please Him.

Learning magic (sleight of hand, illusions, etc.) is unlawful [Nawawi, Majmu‘]. The described gameplay is not the same as real-life learning. It likely has no real-world application. However, Muslims should ideally distance themselves from doubtful matters to preserve Faith, especially when the activity in question is not essential and Allah knows best.

Rulings Concerning Games

Other than games involving prize money, every game played by two or more people that relies on luck, conjecture, and guessing, is unlawful (whether money is stipulated or not). Every game not in the above category is permissible if there is no money therein.  Any things mentioned above that are permissible become unlawful if they prevent one from performing a religious or this-worldly duty. [Keller, Reliance of the Traveler]

Doubtful Matters

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear and between the two of them are doubtful [or ambiguous] matters about which not many people are knowledgeable. 

Thus, he who avoids these doubtful matters certainly clears himself concerning his religion and honor. But he who falls into the doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. 

Every king has a sanctuary, and Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibition. In the body, there is a morsel of flesh which, if it is sound, all the body is sound and which, if it is diseased, all the body is diseased. This part of the body is the heart”. [Agreed Upon]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.