Q: There was a disagreement between two people over a religious matter. One of them said that they had heard that it is not a problem if someone goes to see a doctor to treat their illness, and if they are prescribed an ointment, a syrup, cauterization, or Hijamah (cupping), they can use any one of these. They claimed that these things can be used, even if they are prescribed by a sorcerer as long as the treatment is Mubah (permissible), because deeds are judged by intentions.The other person disagreed, as they believed that consulting those who are knowledgeable in sorcery and trickery was nothing other than Kufr (disbelief) or a means of nullifying one's good deeds, regardless of whether the treatment prescribed is Mubah or not, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who resorts to a soothsayer or a diviner and believes what they say has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad. They maintained that if someone who is ill consults a soothsayer - even if they do not believe what they say - their Salah (Prayer) will not be accepted for forty days, and this means that their good deeds will also not be accepted for forty days. We urgently need a Fatwa from you to resolve this problem.

A: Going to soothsayers and diviners and the like, and seeking their help is not permissible, and believing in what they say is an even greater sin, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who visits a diviner and asks them about anything, their Salah (Prayer) will not be accepted for forty nights. Related by Muslim. It is also authentically related from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in "Sahih Muslim" on the authority of Mu`awiyah ibn Al-Hakam Al-Sulamy that he (peace be upon him) forbade going to soothsayers. It is also narrated by the compilers of the Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) and Al-Hakim that (Part No. 1; Page No. 606) the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who resorts to a soothsayer and believes what they say has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad. There are many other hadiths in this regard also.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.