Short answer
Scholars differ. Reading fantasy fiction is not haram in itself, and many scholars allow books like Harry Potter for older readers who know that real magic is a major sin. Others advise against them because they make witchcraft look heroic and fun, especially for children. Trying spells or occult practices from such stories is haram for everyone.
Fiction is permitted when its content is not sinful and it does not crowd out duties. Learning or practising real sihr (magic) is haram, and believing it works by itself is a danger to faith. Content that glamorises sihr should be approached with caution, especially for children.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Quran calls sihr (magic) disbelief taught by the devils, and the Prophet ﷺ listed it among the seven destructive sins. That is real magic: seeking help from jinn, spells, charms and rituals meant to harm or control people. A story about a boy wizard is not itself magic. The question is whether reading such stories is harmful.
The two views:
- The cautious view: these books and films present witchcraft, spells and potions as exciting and good, and young readers may become curious about the occult. Muslims should not fill their imagination with what Allah calls kufr. The films also come with music and images.
- The lenient view: fiction has always used imaginary powers, from old tales of jinn to modern fantasy. A reader who understands that the story is invented, and that real sihr is a major sin, is not harmed by it. The sin would be in practising or admiring real occult acts.
Points both views share:
- Never try spells, 'manifesting', tarot or Ouija boards, even as a game.
- Parents should know what their children read and talk to them about the difference between fiction and real sihr.
- Time spent on stories should not push out salah, Quran and study.
- Fantasy that mocks religion or promotes immorality is harmful whatever its genre.
If you choose to read such books, read them as stories and keep your heart clear about what Allah forbids. For more, see is magic haram and is anime haram.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:102
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَٰرُوتَ وَمَٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌۭ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَٰقٍۢ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٠٢﴾
And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
Real magic is disbelief, so stories that glamorise it call for caution.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2766
Sahih... اجتنبوا السبع الموبقات ...
"Avoid the seven destructive sins, among them magic."
Practising sihr is a major sin.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Muqaddima, on the branches of knowledge that are forbidden. Learning and practising sihr is haram.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.