Harut and Marut, the story

Many versions of this story have been told over time.  This version is solely based on the most trustworthy accounts of a renown muslim scholar: Ibn Kthir.



"They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying: "we are only for trial: so do not blaspheme". They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!" Quran 2:102



Harut and Matut were angels sent by God to test the faith of people at the time of the prophet Sulaiman. They only taught humans magic after clearly warning them that it would make them outcasts in the eye of God; as magic is strickly forbidden.

Many of course ignored the warning and decided to learn magic at whatever cost. Those men were lost to God and they were to be branded disbelievers with no hope of redemption.

Devils started then to spread the teachings of Harut and Marut in order to create chaos among men. But hey will too be held accountables for their actions, as magic is forbidden as well to them.

Many disbelievers were accusing the prophet Sulaiman of practicing magic as his powers were great. But this was only heresy and a way for shaytans to make people doubt prophethood.

Accross time, many prophets came and performed miracles in order to prove that they indeed had been chosen by Allah. However, many always denied the undeniable and called wonders magic. This is the difference between faith and heresy. Sadly it will always be.

Harut and Marut were a sign and a warning to mankind for those who learn to listen.