Q: Some newspapers publish stories about entertainers with unusual skills, such as breaking stones on their chests, laying on sharp nails and instruments, bending metal beams with their eyes, puling cars with their fingers and other (Part No. 1; Page No. 190) amazing feats. What is the Shari`ah ruling on these feats and the entertainers who perform them? What is the ruling on hosting and watching them?

A: Breaking stones on someone's chest, laying on sharp nails and tools, bending metal beams with someone's eyes, pulling cars with someone's hair or teeth, crushing razor blades and glass, and other extraordinary acts that some foolish entertainers display are works of fraudulence, sorcery, and magic like the sorcerers of Fir`aun (Pharaoh) practiced. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states in Surah (Qur'anic chapter) Al-A`raf: So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic. He (Glorified be He) states in Surah Ta-Ha, Then behold! their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast. Thus, it is not permissible to practice, learn, propagate or encourage these works; rather, a Muslim must oppose them and report them so that they will be punished. This will serve as a deterrent and avert their evil from people. Acts and shows of these people clearly involve fraudulence, sorcery, insulting people's intelligence, corrupting the `Aqidah (creed) and taking people's money unjustly. (Part No. 1; Page No. 191) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!