Black magic for love
Black Magic for love
“Does anyone know the position of hypnosis in Islam?”
“I did ask and was told it was haram….the reason being that it was
likened to a state of intoxication, in that you have voluntarily given
up your control over your mental faculties….And Allah(swt) knows best”.
This was the reply to the above question I received on a Muslim community group mailing list by one of its members.
Hypnosis is defined as a state of deep relaxation; just short of deep
sleep. A popular misconception is that hypnosis is a form of
unconsciousness resembling sleep. However, contemporary research
suggests that hypnotic subjects are fully awake and whilst focusing
attention, have a corresponding decrease in their peripheral awareness.
Subjects also show an increased response to suggestions. In one of the
first books on the subject, Neurypnology in 1843, Dr James Braid
described “hypnotism” as a state of physical relaxation accompanied and
induced by mental concentration. It is a state of well-being and the
client is fully in control. This means that EVERY single one of us can
be and has been in a state of hypnosis; on a daily basis. For example,
when we’re waking up and put our alarm on snooze and half-awake: this is
a state of hypnosis. When we are sometimes watching TV and don’t hear
the other person; this is a state of hypnosis also. Hypnosis is a state
of deep relaxation but short of being asleep. The methods of Hypnosis
being referred to here are those that allow the client to be in full
control of the suggestions and imaginations that they are given; at
which they are in a state to accept or reject them.
A quick research into the history of Hypnosis can show that this was
common in Egyptian and Indian sleep temples. Hypnosis was even practiced
by ancient Greeks. Furthermore, in his Book titled Kitab Al-Shifa (The
book of Healing), the Persian physician Avicenna (Ibn Sina 980-1037)
wrote about Hypnosis and referred to it as Al-Wahm Al-Amil. He was seen
as the first physician to make the distinction between sleep and
hypnosis. He stated that one would be able to create conditions in other
people so they can accept the reality of this process of Hypnosis.
If we look at one of the Fathers of modern Hypnosis, Dr Milton
Erickson (1901-1980), one who is known widely by any training
organisation of Hypnosis; much of his language patterns are those that
are already in the Quran. Yes! This not an extreme comment and nor is it
anything taken out of context. How many of us knew this?
Ericksonian hypnosis combines metaphorical stories which start and
don’t finish at the same time. They sometimes finish at the end of the
sessions or sometimes a few sessions later. This is like in the Quran of
many stories of the Prophets (Peace Be Upon Them all); which clearly
continue throughout. Amongst many language patterns used; Ericksonian
hypnosis also refers to many things with much vagueness. Another aspect
clearly found in the Quran. The benefit of vagueness is that it can and
does relate to any and every point in time – the less specific, the more
it can relate to wider audiences with no limits or lesser limits of
time, place and situation.
These are just some of the methods and language patterns that will be
used. None of it goes against Islam; and is not ‘haraam’ (forbidden); a
word used much freely and yet only appears in the Quran a few times.
Hypnosis does NOT give the effects similar to that of ‘intoxicants’.
Intoxicants are physical substances in the form of gas, liquid or solid
(powder and tablets, for example). They are man-made substances or
natural substances which are processed in a manner to produce these
harmful substances. They effect the body, mind and the soul. They block
out some neurons and cause imbalance and effect the neurology. Hence
they result in effecting the complete body in this manner and clearly
don’t allow the individual to be in control of one’s senses. Regardless
of what they are; the purpose of them is to fulfil the individuals need
for ‘more’ for a fulfilment they aren’t getting from another area of
life. Hence; widely resulting in addiction. They also cause one to say
and do things they wouldn’t in their own right mind or in their daily
normal lives when not using these substances.
Islam may also not have allowed Hypnosis on the basis that it maybe
the works of a Soothsayer (fortune-teller) and/or working with Jinns
(spirits). This may have been true or maybe true today still in some
parts of the world as some people have the ability to communicate with
spirits. However, the hypnosis being referred to and applied here has NO
link or connection with spirits or fortune-telling. Working with
spirits is seen as contrary to Islam on the basis that it’s seen as
ascribing power to those other than God. Where-as the primary foundation
of Islamic belief is upon the conviction that There is Only One God and
all power is with Him. This refers to that we mortals have no knowledge
except that which God has allowed us to have. Having belief in spirits
and making use of them to intervene between the Hypnotherapists and the
client is completely contradictory to Islam and definitely to the modern
Hypnosis being referred to here.
Hypnosis does none of that as there is no two-way conversation; just
suggestions. Also, the client does not do or say anything which they
wouldn’t in their right mind. Clearly this is a misconception within the
Muslim community. It highlights that a judgement has been made on
something without looking into it. As we, the Muslim community,
constantly do this; truly we are denying ourselves the means for
progression in all areas of education, employment and further advances
in any area. If or as long as we continue to think in this much limited
manner then so will be the fruits of our labour have the same effect.
There are many Muslims; who are practising and trained
hypnotherapists. If anything, they’ve come closer to their faith rather
than further from away it. I even know a Muslim colleague on my training
who came from Saudi Arabia to learn Hypnosis. He is a practising
Muslim, works in a corporate environment in change-management and has
been there for over 10yrs. He states himself; that in Saudi Arabia there
is much withdrawal from anything they don’t understand. If certain
things aren’t understood; they are dismissed. I’m not saying this is the
case for every aspect in every area of discipline. It is however, in
reference to those he has met in his company who are mostly practising
Muslims. This is an indication of what is much a problem in our
communities and hence gets ‘blamed’ on religion. This is something much
terrible of an example for those looking from outside, into this amazing
faith.
This opinion is respected (“That Hypnosis is haraam in Islam as it
gives effects of intoxicants”) but it’s not one that I will accept for
myself. As stated before, it is something of highly much benefit to the
community. There has been much of a response as some individuals have
seen the value of this and how it can manifest in their lives and those
around them.
You are requested and urged to look into this as to what it’s
benefits are, it’s methodologies and purpose; whether you are Muslim or
not: regardless. It can be verified by medical doctors that Hypnosis is
perfectly safe and accepted by the medical profession as a means of
curing some illnesses; whether they are of the body, mind or soul.
Medical science will not accept something that includes working with
spirits and fortune-telling. Furthermore, hypnosis does certainly NOT
give effects of intoxicants; as can also be verified medically. By
definition of Hypnosis, The Quran certainly brings about a deep
relaxation through reciting or listening to it. Hence, The Quran itself
brings about a state of Hypnosis. It was known that even people would
fall into trance through speech and conversation with Dr Milton
Erickson. Such was the effect of The Beloved Prophet (Peace and
blessings be Upon Him) who would talk to people in such a relaxing
manner that they felt his warmth; bringing about greater relaxation
within them; with an intention of reaching out for the goodness.
Hypnosis is a tool necessary for the Muslim community to allow the
recipients to bring out more of their amazing uniqueness that every
individual is special and is born with such amazing gifts. Regardless of
what area of life you are at; we can always achieve more as we dream in
the night; then the days are to fulfil those dreams. It can be used to
work with clients to achieve their goals, relieve stress and even
improve their health whilst curing some illnesses. It is beneficial and
necessary for individuals as well as the Muslim community in order to
concentrate and focus deeper upon their daily and personal goals.
Islam is incomplete without its endless, incoherent, and
superstitious rituals. The Islamic ritual starts in the dawn, before the
sunrise, with the cacophony of prayer call. True Muslims must wake up,
do ablution, and walk to the nearest mosque to start the day with
prayer. The day ends with the night prayer. This offering of five daily
prayers is the minimum a Muslim must do to smell the fragrance of
Islamic Paradise. There is severe Islamic penalty for missing a prayer.
It is true that other religions do have many rituals. The difference
between Islamic rituals and other religions’ is that, while for other
religions their rituals are voluntary, in Islam, rituals are forced
imposition upon Muslims. For example, if a Christian does not attend
Church assemblies, he does not undergo any punitive measures. Attending
Sunday Church is a choice a Christian makes. In Islam, it is compulsory
for a Muslim to attend a mosque to offer his oblation. If he does not,
Sharia law stipulates dreadful punishment.
As an example, in a hadis in Sahih Bukhari (1.11.617), Muhammad asked
his devout followers to burn the houses of those Muslims who do not
present themselves for the Islamic prayers. Besides the temporal
punishment, Allah decrees excruciating torment in the next world for the
Muslims who neglect their prayers. With such draconian measures, it is
no wonder that whenever Islam invades an infidel land, the first act in
the process of creeping Islamisation is to construct mosques. Fear,
greed, intimidation, and terror are the life‑forces by which Islam rules
a Muslim’s life.
