The Fact That a Game Is Called ‘Magic’ Does Not Entail Approving of Magic

27-3-2022 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is play rubiks cube haram? Rubik's cube have another name, the another name is magic cube, and I think the words "magic" is to indicate as "miracle" not sihr, is play rubiks cube is approval of sihr and major sins to play them?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The basic principle is that games are permissible unless there is Sharee’ah evidence deeming certain games prohibited. Al-Bahooti said in Kash-shaf Al-Qinaa’: “All games are principally deemed permissible as long as no harm is incurred, and they do not preoccupy a person from carrying out the religious obligations.” [End of quote]

The fact that a game is called ‘magic’ does not warrant deeming it prohibited, nor does it entail approving the prohibited practice of magic. In fact, the Arabic word Sihr (magic) may be used to refer to any given action because it is very strange and odd, or wondrous, and this is considered a common figurative use of the Arabic word Sihr. Linguistically speaking, the word Sihr is used to refer to anything wondrous. In this sense, the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Some eloquent speech is (as effective as) magic.” [Al-Bukhari] (The Arabic word used in the Hadith is Sihr, which translates as magic.) The Hadith was interpreted as to laud eloquent speech when it is not used to manifest falsehood or deny the truth.

Lastly, we would like to advise you to disregard satanic whisperings, ignore them, and refrain from considering them.

Allah knows best.