Harut and Marut in Sulayman’s Time: Faith vs Magic

In every era, humans have been tested by divine wisdom. Sometimes they enjoy prosperity, sometimes they face poverty; sometimes they suffer from modern plagues or wars. Allah Almighty has always maintained a balance between truth and falsehood. The Quran teaches that everything is connected, and the alternative to truth is falsehood. Along with the reign of truth under Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him), Harut and Marut were sent as a test to examine humanity’s commitment to truth over falsehood.

This story, rooted firmly in the Quran, reminds us that tests come in many forms — even knowledge that can be misused. It happened during the golden age of Prophet Sulayman (A.S.), a time of miracles, justice, and immense power granted directly by Allah. The event involving two angels in the ancient city of Babylon was never about promoting evil. Instead, it exposed the dangers of magic and showed how people must choose faith even when tempting knowledge is placed before them. This article explores the full context, the Quranic account, and the powerful lessons that remain relevant in our world today.

Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him), known as Solomon in English, was the son of Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him). He inherited not only a kingdom but also extraordinary blessings from Allah. The Quran describes him as a wise and grateful servant who prayed for a unique dominion that no one after him would ever receive.

Allah granted him miracles that went far beyond ordinary rule:

• Control over the wind: It would carry his throne or armies swiftly across vast distances.
• Command over the jinn: These unseen beings worked for him as builders, divers, and servants, constructing palaces and bringing rare treasures from the sea.
• Understanding the speech of animals: Birds, ants, and other creatures communicated with him directly.
• A vast and just empire: His kingdom stretched across regions, marked by peace, wisdom, and devotion to the worship of one God.

Verses in Surah An-Naml (27:15-44) and Surah Saba (34:12-13) paint a vivid picture of this blessed era. Sulayman (A.S.) used his gifts not for personal glory but to spread monotheism and justice. He even tested the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis), inviting her people to submit to Allah. His story shows that true power comes only from God, not from forbidden means like sorcery.

Yet, despite these clear signs of divine favor, some people — especially certain groups among the Children of Israel at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — spread false stories. They claimed Sulayman’s success came from magic or that he had fallen into disbelief. The Quran directly addresses and refutes this lie.

The Quran makes it crystal clear: Prophet Sulayman (A.S.) never disbelieved, nor did he practice magic. His miracles were gifts from Allah, not the result of sorcery. The devils (shayatin), however, disbelieved and actively taught magic to mislead people.

After Sulayman’s death, some narrations say the devils buried books of magic under his throne or throne area to create confusion. People later dug them up and claimed these proved Sulayman relied on sorcery. This false narrative spread widely, linking his blessed kingdom to forbidden practices. The Quran was revealed to correct this historical distortion once and for all. It shows that magic was never part of true prophethood but a tool used by evil forces to test and tempt humanity.

This misconception matters because it highlights a deeper issue: how easily people can twist truth into falsehood when they chase power or wealth through shortcuts.

The core of the entire story appears in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), verse 102. Here is a clear, standard English translation:

This verse was revealed in the context of addressing claims made by some Jewish scholars in Madinah who questioned the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It serves two purposes: defending Sulayman’s innocence and warning against the grave sin of magic.

Allah sent two angels named Harut and Marut to the ancient city of Babylon (in present-day Iraq) specifically as a fitnah — a deliberate test for the people of that time. Their mission was not to encourage magic but to reveal its true nature so that humans could see the difference between divine miracles (like those of Sulayman) and human-made sorcery.

Scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Harut and Marut appeared in human form and acted as a living demonstration of how dangerous this path is. They did not force anyone; the choice was always the people’s own. This shows Allah’s justice: He provides clear signs and warnings before any test.

Important note on authenticity: Some popular stories describe Harut and Marut being tempted by a beautiful woman (sometimes called Zuhra or Venus), committing sins, and being punished in a well. These details come from Isra’iliyyat (narrations influenced by Jewish or Christian traditions) and are considered weak or unreliable by major scholars. They are not found in the Quran or authentic hadith. For a credible article or understanding, we must stick strictly to the Quranic text and sound scholarly explanations.

During Sulayman’s reign, Babylon was already known in ancient times as a center of knowledge and, unfortunately, occult practices. When Harut and Marut arrived and issued their warning, some people still chose to learn the forbidden arts. They focused on the parts that could cause division in families — spells designed to create hatred, suspicion, or separation between spouses.

The devils (shayatin) actively promoted this knowledge, linking it falsely to Sulayman’s kingdom to make it seem legitimate. In reality, it was pure deception.

Islam recognizes that magic (sihr) is real, not imaginary. However, it is strictly forbidden and classified as a major sin that can even lead to disbelief (kufr) if it involves calling upon other than Allah or using forbidden methods.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against seven destructive sins, including shirk (associating partners with Allah) and magic. Practicing, teaching, or even seeking help from magicians is prohibited. Protection comes through faith, prayer, Quran recitation (especially Ayat al-Kursi and the last two chapters of the Quran), and trusting in Allah alone.

This story from the time of Sulayman (A.S.) speaks directly to our modern world:

• Choose faith over shortcuts. In an age of quick fixes, apps promising “spiritual power,” or occult trends online, the warning remains the same: some knowledge is a test, not a blessing.
• Family is sacred. The most mentioned harm of magic — breaking marriages — reminds us to protect our homes through prayer and good character, not superstition.
• True power belongs to Allah. Prophets received miracles by His command. We should never confuse divine blessings with forbidden practices.
• Every era has its tests. Just as Babylon faced Harut and Marut, today we face materialism, misinformation, and spiritual distractions. The Quran connects all these tests across time.
• Knowledge without guidance can destroy. Learning something harmful, even with a warning, leads to spiritual loss.

These lessons encourage gratitude, patience, and reliance on Allah in prosperity and hardship alike.

The story of Harut and Marut during the reign of Prophet Sulayman (A.S.) is ultimately a story of divine mercy and justice. Allah exposed the truth about magic, defended His prophet, and gave humanity a clear choice: follow truth or chase falsehood. Despite the test, the message is hopeful — those who stay firm in faith are protected, while those who sell their souls for temporary gains lose everything.

May this account strengthen our iman (faith) and remind us to seek only what pleases Allah. As the Quran beautifully concludes nearby in verse 103: “And if they had believed and feared Allah, then the reward from Allah would have been [far] better, if they only knew.”