Answered by Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Question:
I plan on investing in a clothing line. My partners and I were planning on naming our line of clothing siḥr (magic). Would this be permissible?
Answer:
We thank you for contacting Mathabah for your query. We ask Allāh Almighty to bless your endeavors and the line of business you are pursuing
The word “سحر” siḥr is not just limited to being used for magic or even black magic. It has not always been used in a negative context.
The word siḥr has been used in a positive context as well.
Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) whilst advising his companions once said:
“Prolonging Ṣalāh and shortening the sermon indicate to the religious knowledge of an individual. Lengthen your Ṣalāh and shorten your sermon. Eloquence encompasses a magical effect.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 869)
“’Abdullāh Ibn ‘Omar (may Allāh be pleased with them) narrated: “Two men came from an Eastern area and eloquently spoke to us. People were marveled by their encapsulating speeches. Upon this, Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Eloquence encompasses a magical effect.” (Musnad al Imām Aḥmad: 7/170)
As we can see from the above-mentioned narrations, Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) has used the word siḥr to describe something effective as magical or enchanting.
Therefore, we come to a conclusion that the word siḥr can be used for a clothing brand name to describe it as magical.
Allāh Almighty Knows Best