Dought & clear, - Is it permissible to put on a “magic show” and is it permissible to attend it?

What is your opinion onchildren watching shows for children which
include "magic" and the like? Some of the brothers in our mosque put
on a show that included "magic tricks", and I did not want my children
to go, so I did not let them. What is your opinion?
Praise be to Allah.
What we understand from the question is thata show was put on in the
mosque by children, in which there was whatis called "leger de main
(sleight of hand)" or "magic tricks". If this is what happened, then
you did well by not letting your children attend that show, in which
this evil action was done. The ones whoapproved of that and helped to
make it happen have done something wrong, and this is exacerbated if
the show was in the mosqueand if it was done by children. We hope that
they will not do this again. What they should be doing is raising
Muslim children with decent morals and manners, teaching them
beneficial knowledge and instilling in them the beliefs of Ahl
as-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, without any contamination or confusion. If
you want toadvise them and denounce what was done, then you should do
so in a gentle and kind manner.
It should be noted that the magic which Allah, may He be exalted,
condemns and against which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) warned is that which may be called "the magicof
illusion". Allah, may He be exalted, mentioned it in His Holy Book,
when He said (interpretation of the meaning):"Then behold,their ropes
and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved
fast" [Ta-Ha 20:66]. Allah, may He be exalted, called this action of
theirs magic, and He called them magicians. Moreover, such shows may
give the impression that magic and magicians are harmless. This was an
error on the part of those who put onthese shows in the context of
educating children, in addition to the fact that it is a sin in and of
itself.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:
What is the ruling on watching the "magic of illusion", whether that
isin real life or on television?
He replied:
It is not permissible to watch magic, whether it is real or is just
illusions. It is not permissible because it is falsehood, and it is
not permissible to witness or watch falsehood, because by watching it
one has approved of it, unless heis watching it in order todenounce it
and strive toput an end to it. In that case there is nothing wrong
with it. But if he watches it and says nothing, or he tells others
about it, this is haraam because it is idleentertainment.
End quote from the shaykh's website: http://www.alfawzan.ws /node/4827
The shaykh (may Allah preserve him) was also asked:
Often during the summer vacation there are festivals that are held for
leisure purposes, in which thereare circuses, and they bring people
who do things like tightrope walking or pulling cars along with their
hair or eating live coals, and other such things. Some of them appear
to be righteous. What is the ruling on these actions of theirs?
He replied: This comes from the Shaytaan, and these actions are from
the Shaytaan; no one can eat live coals, or drink boiling water. How
can he eat live coals? He is lying; it appears to the people asif he
is eating live coals, but in fact the coal does not reach him and does
not even come near his body. The same applies to the car that he pulls
along (with his hair). It isnot permissible for the Muslims to approve
of these things, even if theycall it illusion or artistry, or whatever
they call it. We should not open the door to magic, witchcraft, and
trickery. This is something that is not permissible and the
authorities should prevent it. It is obligatory for them to prevent it
right now andnot to approve of it. None of the seekers of knowledge
should keep quiet about this matter.
End quote from the shaykh's website: :
http://www.alfawzan.ws /node/48273
If your question is about something other than what we have mentioned,
then we hope that you will get intouch with us again and explain
further what is meant. We appreciate your efforts to take care of your
children and give them a sound Islamic upbringing.
And Allah knows best.