Magic shows, magicians better defined as “tricksters & trick shows” have become very common phenomena in modern age. Some harmless tricks of the hands performed by the magicians are very much fun to watch.
But behind this definition of “magic”, there lies a thousands years old alternative definition which has been shrouded in mysterious events & activities. It became such a severe issue in the Europe in 16th/17th centuries that many women have been falsely accused & given death penalty by the government for practicing witchcraft.
Almost every religion has different kinds of perception of magic. The mythologies differ as the definition of the “unseen” differ. In this article we will analyze the Islamic mythology & the origin of the magic & throw some light from ancient history as well.
The Quranic narrative
The Quran states in Surah Baqarah that in ancient Babylon Allah sent two angels, Harut & Marut. They had been given the knowledge of magic. They appeared to the Israelites & said we have this knowledge, but remember we are a test from Allah. Whoever is willing to learn from them would have no share in the hereafter.
The angels also told them the magic is something that will help them to create connection with the Devil or djinns means the unseen world.
There are also descriptions of supernatural incidents done by jinns in the reign of a mighty prophet Sulaiman (As), but the roots of sorcery & magical practices refer to this test given by Allah happened in ancient Babylon.
Result of magic
The nature & final outcome of the magic were something very powerful.As the Quran described that it could cause separation among husbands & wives & perform other nefarious things.
Historical notions
The ancient Babylon worshiped many deities throughout the histories. It was found that the jews of ancient Babylon were also involved in many sorceries & symbolism. They were the first to introduce the astronomical zodiac system, different signs & omens and related them with the good & bad of human life.
The most significant & interesting part is that, in different tablets, scriptures & incantation bowls, one mysterious deity was found whose name was “Marduk”. The origin of Marduk is not found by historians. But it is described in different scriptures that this Marduk was defined as the “exorcist” or “sorcerers” of the gods. The supreme god “EA” sent & enriched Marduk with special knowledge, which some groups of people accepted.
The name “Marduk” has come from a root word “Amarutu” which surprisingly resembles the Arabised version of the Quranic angel “Marut”.
This deity was worshiped for performing supernatural events & mysterious powers.
In conclusion, it can be estimated that maybe the Islamic mythology is the closest to the roots of sorcery practices of mankind. A mysterious practice that has caused many massacres, mass confusion in the history & haunts people till this day.
Written By
Md. Shafkat Imon Araf
Intern, YSSE
