Types of Sihr (Black Magic)
& Their Specific Symptoms
A comprehensive Islamic guide for the Muslim community in New York City — covering every major category of Sihr, how to recognize each type, and authentic Quranic healing protocols rooted in the Sunnah.
The main types of Sihr in Islam are: Sihr al-Marad (illness), Sihr al-Mahabbah (love/binding magic), Sihr al-Takhyeel (illusion), Sihr al-Junoon (madness), Sihr al-Khusoomah (enmity/divorce magic), Sihr al-Hawatif (auditory disturbances), and Sihr al-Naziif (bleeding magic). Each has distinct symptoms. The Quranic cure for all types is consistent Ruqyah using Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat Al-Kursi, and the three Quls.
Sihr in New York City — The Spiritual Context
Why the world’s most competitive city creates unique spiritual vulnerability
New York City is home to one of the most diverse and vibrant Muslim communities in the United States — an estimated 750,000 Muslims across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, representing over 9% of the city’s population. From the halal carts of Midtown to the packed Jumu’ah prayers at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York on 96th Street, the Ummah thrives here in remarkable ways.
Yet New York’s defining character — relentless ambition, visible wealth disparity, intense social comparison, and near-constant proximity to strangers — creates a unique environment in which spiritual afflictions flourish. The very things that draw people to New York — career success, marriage, business, social status — are precisely the domains in which Hasad (envy) and Sihr (black magic) most commonly strike.
When a Brooklyn physician’s unexplained chronic fatigue defeats every diagnostic panel at NYU Langone. When a Queens couple’s marriage fractures overnight for no rational reason. When a Bronx student’s academic brilliance collapses just before a major exam. These are moments when the Muslim community in New York must understand the reality of Sihr — not with superstition, but with Quranic knowledge and prophetic clarity.
What Is Sihr? Quranic & Scholarly Definition
The Islamic theological basis — firmly established in Quran and Sunnah
Sihr is real. This is not folklore. Allah (SWT) explicitly addresses it in the Quran in multiple places, most definitively in Surah Al-Baqarah:
“And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself experienced Sihr — the incident of Sihr Labid ibn al-A’sam is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas were revealed in direct response. Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, in his monumental work Zad al-Ma’ad, dedicates extensive chapters to the reality, classification, and Quranic cure of Sihr. Scholars define Sihr as: “an agreement made between a human practitioner (Sahir) and a Jinn, by which the Jinn carries out specific harmful acts upon a victim in exchange for acts of worship or submission to the Sahir.”
Understanding this clearly removes fear: Sihr operates only by Allah’s permission, affects only what He allows, and is fully curable by His word — the Quran.
All 7 Major Types of Sihr & Their Specific Symptoms
Classified by Islamic scholars — each type has a distinct spiritual fingerprint
Islamic scholars, primarily Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah and Ibn Taymiyyah, systematically classified Sihr based on its intended effect on the victim. Recognizing which type you may be facing is the first step toward targeted Ruqyah. Here are all seven major categories, along with their specific symptoms:
Sihr al-Marad
سحر المرض
The “illness magic” — designed to cause chronic, unexplained physical disease in the victim’s body.
- Persistent pain with no medical diagnosis
- Pain migrates through the body without pattern
- Extreme fatigue that sleep does not cure
- Symptoms worsen near Adhan or Quran recitation
- Sudden weight loss with normal eating
- Pain intensifies at night, near sunset
Sihr al-Mahabbah
سحر المحبة
The “love/binding magic” — forces unnatural obsession toward or away from a specific person. One of the most common types performed in NYC.
- Sudden, irrational obsession with a specific person
- Extreme aversion to one’s rightful spouse
- Inability to feel love toward family members
- Dreams of the same person repeatedly
- Feeling “pulled” to contact someone against better judgment
- Memory loss regarding good times in marriage
Sihr al-Takhyeel
سحر التخييل
The “illusion magic” — causes the victim to perceive things that do not exist. Mentioned explicitly in the Quran (20:66).
- Seeing moving objects (snakes, shadows, figures)
- Things appearing larger or smaller than reality
- Feeling the floor is moving under your feet
- Distorted perception of people’s faces
- Intense, realistic hallucinations during waking hours
- Brain scans and psychiatric evaluation show nothing
Sihr al-Junoon
سحر الجنون
The “madness magic” — causes severe mental and psychological breakdown in the victim.
- Sudden psychotic break with no prior history
- Speaking incoherently or in a different voice
- Violent outbursts completely out of character
- Stripping off clothes or running into the street
- Complete memory loss of specific periods
- Rapid cycling between calm and chaos
Sihr al-Khusoomah
سحر الخصومة
The “enmity/divorce magic” — specifically designed to destroy relationships, marriages, and business partnerships.
- Explosive arguments immediately after entering the home
- Sudden, intense hatred between close family members
- Desire for divorce without any specific cause
- Business partners turning hostile overnight
- Anger dissipates completely when leaving the house
- Children become uncontrollably hostile to parents
Sihr al-Hawatif
سحر الهواتف
The “auditory disturbance magic” — affects the victim’s hearing and mental peace through unseen voices.
- Hearing voices calling your name with no one present
- Whispering or laughter heard in empty rooms
- Disturbing sounds only you can hear
- Voices commanding self-harm or harmful actions
- Audiological tests return completely normal
- Sounds intensify at Maghrib and after midnight
Sihr al-Naziif
سحر النزيف
The “bleeding magic” — targets women specifically, causing abnormal menstrual cycles and reproductive health disruption.
- Prolonged or continuous menstrual bleeding
- Menstruation lasting weeks or months
- Irregular cycle with no hormonal imbalance found
- Infertility after normal fertility assessments
- Miscarriages with no medical explanation
- Severe reproductive pain without identifiable cause
How to Diagnose Sihr vs. Medical Illness
The Islamic approach: tie your camel, then trust in Allah
Islam is unambiguous: exhaust medical investigation first. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it.” (Abu Dawud). Only after ruling out medical causes should Sihr be considered the primary cause. The following indicators collectively — not individually — suggest a spiritual root:
| Indicator | Medical Illness | Possible Sihr |
|---|---|---|
| Medical tests | Abnormal results found | All tests return normal |
| Reaction to Quran | No change | Symptoms worsen, agitation, nausea |
| Onset pattern | Gradual or predictable | Sudden after major life event or social envy |
| Time of day | Consistent | Intensifies at night, after Maghrib, or at Fajr |
| Dreams | Normal variation | Recurring dark figures, snakes, falling, filth |
| Location pattern | No change by location | Symptoms ease outside the home |
| Response to Adhan | No reaction | Anxiety, headache, or vomiting when hearing it |
| Treatment response | Improves with medication | No improvement despite appropriate treatment |
Quranic Healing Protocols & Adhkar
Specific ayats and authentic Sunnah methods for each type of Sihr
The Prophet (ﷺ) identified specific Quranic verses that directly address and dissolve Sihr. Below are the most powerful — these are the same verses recited by the Angel Jibril (AS) over the Prophet (ﷺ) himself when he was afflicted by Sihr al-Marad.
“Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters.”
— Surah Yunus 10:81 — One of the most powerful Ayat against Sihr
The 5-Step Self-Ruqyah Protocol for Sihr
Purification & Intention
Make Wudu and face the Qibla. Sincerely renew your Niyyah: “I seek healing only from Allah.” Recite Bismillah and Surah Al-Fatihah three times as an opening.
Prepare Ruqyah Water
Fill a clean vessel with water. Recite the following into it, blowing lightly after each: Surah Al-Fatihah (7×), Ayat Al-Kursi (7×), Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102 (3×), Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255–257 (3×), Surah Yunus 10:81–82 (7×), Surah Ta-Ha 20:68–70 (7×), Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (7× each).
Drink & Wash Daily
Drink one-third of the Ruqyah water in the morning and use the rest to wash from head to toe. Do this for 7 consecutive days. Add cold-pressed olive oil charged with the same recitations to massage areas of pain.
Recite Surah Al-Baqarah in the Home
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Recite Surah Al-Baqarah in your homes, for Shaytan does not enter a house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.” (Muslim). Play or recite it aloud daily for 40 consecutive days for severe cases.
Maintain Daily Adhkar Fortress
Recite the complete morning and evening Adhkar daily without fail. This is your ongoing shield. Consistency rebuilds the spiritual immune system demolished by Sihr.
Essential Adhkar by Sihr Type
| Sihr Type | Primary Ruqyah Verses | Additional Adhkar |
|---|---|---|
| Sihr al-Marad (Illness) | Surah Yunus 10:81–82 وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ السِّحْرُ |
Ruqyah water + olive oil massage; Ayat Al-Kursi after every Salah |
| Sihr al-Mahabbah (Love) | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102 وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ |
Surah Al-Baqarah daily; Black seed (Habbatus Sauda) with honey |
| Sihr al-Takhyeel (Illusion) | Surah Ta-Ha 20:68–70 إِنَّ مَا صَنَعُوا كَيْدُ سَاحِرٍ |
Recite upon waking; wash eyes with Ruqyah water |
| Sihr al-Junoon (Madness) | Surah Al-A’raf 7:117–122 فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ |
Full Ruqyah by a qualified Raqi; daily Surah Al-Baqarah |
| Sihr al-Khusoomah (Enmity) | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285–286 آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ |
Recite in all four corners of the home; incense with pure Oud |
| Sihr al-Hawatif (Auditory) | Surahs Al-Falaq & An-Nas (7× each) قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ |
Blow into both ears after recitation; Ta’awwudh at night |
| Sihr al-Naziif (Bleeding) | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255 + Ruqyah water اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ |
Drink Ruqyah water with Sidr leaves; seek qualified female Raqi |
Spiritual Roots & Trusted Centers in New York City
New York City is home to over 285 masajid across the five boroughs. Here is how to navigate authentic Islamic spiritual support — and how to identify fraudulent practitioners.
🕌 Trusted Islamic Centers by Borough
- Islamic Cultural Center of New York (ICCNY) — Manhattan: 1711 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10029. The largest purpose-built mosque in NYC and an architectural landmark. Contact their Imam for spiritual counseling referrals.
- Masjid At-Taqwa — Brooklyn: 1266 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216. One of Brooklyn’s most prominent masajid, known for strong community programs and knowledgeable Imams experienced in Islamic counseling.
- Dar Al-Taqwa Islamic Center — Queens: 40-20 159th St, Flushing, NY 11358. A Sunni community and spiritual hub for the Queens Muslim community, offering religious guidance.
- MAS Bronx Muslim Center — The Bronx: An active hub for spiritual development, education, and community support. Contact for Imam referrals for spiritual counseling.
- Islamic Society of Bay Ridge — Brooklyn: 6807 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220. Serves one of Brooklyn’s established Muslim communities; Imams available for guidance.
- Madina Masjid — Manhattan: 401 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009. A well-established community masjid in Lower East Side Manhattan.
⚠️ Red Flags — Fake Healers in New York
- Avoid anyone advertising “Islamic healing” or “Black magic removal” on Craigslist, social media, or in community newspapers who demands payment upfront for rituals.
- Flee from practitioners who ask for your mother’s name, a photo, clothing, or hair to “diagnose” you — these are hallmarks of sihr practitioners themselves.
- Be cautious of anyone charging $500+ to “break a curse” or “remove a Jinn” without providing Quran-based protocol transparently.
- Never accept talismans, amulets, or written grids from any healer — these often constitute shirk and are forbidden in Islam.
✅ What Authentic Ruqyah Always Includes
- Recitation of specific Quranic verses and authenticated Hadith Adhkar only.
- Transparent, Sharia-compliant methodology — no secrets, no rituals.
- Emphasis on self-Ruqyah and patient empowerment, not dependence.
- No financial exploitation — reasonable fees for time are permissible; extortion is not.
If you cannot find local help, prefer confidential support, or are outside NYC, Sufi Healings offers comprehensive distance Ruqyah consultations — Sharia-compliant, fully transparent, and tailored to your specific type of affliction.
Community Testimonials
Real experiences from the New York Muslim community (names changed for privacy)
“I am a physician at a Manhattan hospital. For two years I suffered from unexplained back and neck pain — MRIs, nerve studies, everything came back normal. The pain would peak right after Asr and disappear by Fajr. It was only when my mother suggested Ruqyah that I, a medical professional, reluctantly agreed. After three weeks of daily Ruqyah water and Surah Al-Baqarah in my apartment, the pain gradually dissolved. I found what appeared to be a handwritten note buried under my building’s front steps. I have since educated myself thoroughly on Sihr al-Marad. I am deeply grateful to Allah.”
— Dr. K.A., Upper East Side, Manhattan
“My husband and I were married eight years — happily. Then suddenly, after a family gathering where we announced a major business deal, he became a stranger. He was cold, hostile, and talked of divorce constantly but could not explain why. Our home in Astoria became a battlefield. We sought Ruqyah guidance from our local Imam who identified Sihr al-Khusoomah. Within 40 days of daily Surah Al-Baqarah recitation and removing several strange objects we found sewn into our mattress, my husband returned to himself. He wept and said he felt like he had been in a fog. Alhamdulillah.”
— Nadia T., Astoria, Queens
“My teenage daughter in the Bronx began hearing voices after starting high school. Psychiatrists diagnosed her with early psychosis and started medication. Nothing worked and she deteriorated. When I played Surah Al-Baqarah in her room, she screamed and tried to leave. A knowledgeable Imam identified Sihr al-Hawatif combined with possible Jinn disturbance. After consistent Ruqyah treatment over two months, the voices completely stopped. She recently memorized Surah Al-Mulk and says it protects her at night.”
— Umm Ibrahim, Bronx, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from the New York Muslim community about Sihr and Ruqyah
What are the main types of Sihr (black magic) in Islam? +
Is Sihr real according to Islam? +
How do I know if I have Sihr or a medical condition? +
Which Quranic surahs cure Sihr? +
Where can Muslims in New York City find authentic Ruqyah? +
Can I do Ruqyah on myself at home without a Raqi? +
How long does it take to cure Sihr through Ruqyah? +