The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c5.s6.3

c5.s6.3

Belief in magic too was a universal weakness of the middle ages. The invocation of spirits is an important part of Musalman magic, and this (*dawat*) is used for the following purposes: to command the presence of the *Jinn* and demons who, when it is required of them, cause anything to take place; to establish friendship or enmity between two persons; to cause the death of an enemy; to increase wealth or salary; to gain income gratuitously or mysteriously; to secure the accomplishment of wishes, temporal or spiritual.⁶⁶ So, magic was practised both for good purposes and evil intentions, for finding lucky days for travelling, catching thieves and removing diseases as well as inflicting diseases on others. The first was called spiritual (*Ilm-i-Ruhani*) and the latter *Shaitani Jadu*. Although Islam directs Musalmans to believe not in magic⁶⁷ yet the belief was universal.⁶⁸ It involved visit to tombs, use of collyrium or *pan* (betel), and all kinds of antics and ceremonials for desiring death for others and success for self. There were trained magicians (Sayana).⁶⁹ They fleeced the fools, both rich and poor, to their hearts content. A highly popular book on magic among the Muslims in the medieval period was *Jawahir-i-Khamsa* by Muhammad Ghaus Gauleri.⁷⁰