Medieval Magic and Islam

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This week, as part of the course of Magic in the Middle Ages, I studied magic in the muslim world. For me it was very informative, as European culture is close and familiar with archetypes and folklore. The muslim world is familiar with the scope of school history studying, especially at that distant time.
I remember how our historian told that in the Middle Ages civilization came to Europe from the East. The Arabs taught the Europeans to wash :)
And in the course on magic this is still evident. Tolerance there was much more to dissenters and magic fits into the system of sciences. With the study of this course, I learned more about the Muslim culture of that time.

Medieval magical arts in the Muslim world are as diverse as in the Christian world, but some innovations can be distinguished. For example, tricks, juggling, magic squares, magic letters and physiognomy were also considered varieties of magical practices.

I came across an outstanding scholar of the Middle Ages, Ibn Khaldun. It is interesting that this very man in economics anticipated the liberalism of Adam Smith and in his works one can find both the interrelation of supply and demand, the reduction of state influence on the economy, the role of the state in maintaining order, and the desire for a positive external balance.

And in his opinion, magic is a science that shows how human souls can prepare for the practice of influencing the world of elements without any help or through higher powers.

Souls, in his opinion, in relation to magic are divided into those that affect the world around them with the help of mind, by means of higher forces (for which supernormal abilities are not needed, for example, with the help of amulets) and with the help of imagination (conjurers).

Perception of magic in Islam

The perception of magic is very different, and it is still preserved in many villages where sorcerers are treated with respect for their contribution to common prosperity.

Biblical and Muslim prophets were suspected of bewitching their followers. They belonged to the very first category of magicians with superpowers (remember the miracles described in the Bible by Jesus).

Traditionalists and lawyers often opposed the magicians, but the punishment was different, including not only the death penalty, but also imprisonment or fine.

And at all times they distinguished black and white magic, and many "magic" sciences were not punished at all.

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Brethren of Purity and Occultism

In the 10th century in Basra a secret scientific Muslim community was established. It was called the Brethren of Purity. They were scientists not only from Basra, but also from Baghdad, Samarkand and Nishapur.

They collected a small encyclopedia, which consisted of 52 scientific treatises on mathematics and logic, natural science, soul and mind, divine laws and Sharia.
And for that time it was an outstanding work, having no analogues. But distinctive feature of the encyclopedia was the emphasis on the esoteric component of the sciences.
The sciences were subdivided as follows (with a significant skewing into the afterlife):

1. Sciences that promote human health and prosperity in this world.
2. Sciences that ensure human happiness in the next world:
   а. Religious
   b. Philosophical

The first group included, among others, divination, enchantment, alchemy. The second group contained, among other things, angelology. And the "science" of the interpretation of dreams was considered among the third group.

A special place in the encyclopedia was occupied by astrology. Described in detail the determinism of everything that happened and will occur in our world - the change of religions, the accession to the throne of the rulers, the emergence of empires.
Mention is also made of the seven-thousand-year cycle of development, with each millennium being opened by a new prophet, among whom Muhammad was the sixth, after Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

Quite interesting chapter in my study :)