medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
And note that it is MEN in this case.
Meg
-----Original Message-----
From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious
culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of George
FERZOCO
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 11:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] Witchcraft
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
culture
Dear medieval-religion colleagues,
A tiny bit of information that I found at http://www.fatwa-online.com/
fataawa/creed/magic/0010807_2.htm indicates that, at least in this
particular form of Islam, burning is not acceptable.
In Saudi Arabia last year, a man was beheaded for sorcery (and other
misdeeds): http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL02434180.html
At http://www.arabnews.com/?
page=1§ion=0&article=94140&d=25&m=3&y=2007 we find the following
question-and-answer that is dealt with (last year) by the President
of Saudi Arabia's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the
Prevention of Vice:
***
Q: What is the commission doing to catch sorcerers in Saudi cities.
And what is their fate after they are caught? Could you tell us how
many of them were caught this year and their locations? And what
about the magic spells that are thrown into the Red Sea? How are
these spells broken?
A: The commission plays a large role in capturing people who practice
sorcery or delusions since these are vices which affect the faith of
Muslims and cause harm to both nationals and expatriates. The
commission has assigned centers in every city and town to be on the
lookout for these men. As for their fate, they are arrested and then
transferred to concerned authorities. The commission also has a role
in breaking magic spells, which are found in the sea. We cooperate
with divers in this aspect. After the spells are found, they are then
broken using recitations of the Holy Qur'an. We do not use magic to
break magic spells, as this is against the teachings of Islam as
mentioned by the Supreme Ulema. But we use the Qur'an as did the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
***
So much then, with these snippets, for some aspects of the question
in one form of present-day Islam. What we all need on this list is
someone who can point us to what MEDIEVAL Moslems held in this regard
-- anybody know anybody who can help us?
George
--
George FERZOCO
[log in to unmask]
On 15 Feb 2008, at 15:57, V. Kerry Inman wrote:
>
> > Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:45:19 -0800
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: [M-R] Witchcraft
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > What is the Moslem form of execution for witchcraft?
> > Does anyone know? Stoning or beheading or...?
> >
> > From V. K. Inman
>
> This question makes two assumptions 1) that what in the west is
> called witchcraft is prohibited among the Muslims and 2) it is a
> capital offense. --neither appears to be true.
>
> The existence of Jinn is a religious tenent, and Satan is a Jinn.
> Unless the practice of magic involves worshiping a god beside
> Allah, it probably did not rise to heresy and even this is not
> always a capital offense for the vast majority of Muslims.
>
> I am looking for an instance of someone being condemned for
> witchcraft, or a law against witchcraft but cannot yet find either.
> If I find one I will report back.
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