Is Astral Projection Permissible in Islam?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it permissible to intentionally attempt astral projection or an out-of-body experience, especially with the intention of visiting sacred places like the Rawda?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
It is not permissible to intentionally attempt astral projection or an out-of-body experience with the intention of visiting sacred places like Makka, Madina, the resting place (rawda), etc.
Astral Projection
Astral projection refers to an out-of-body experience where a person feels like they have left their physical body and traveled to another place. This phenomenon can be induced through techniques such as self-hypnosis or the use of drugs.
Spiritual Excellence (Ihsan)
In the Hadith of Jibril, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) defined spiritual excellence (ihsan) as “to worship Allah as though you are beholding Him.” Allah (Most High) initiates the soul’s journey and allows it to travel. For instance, Allah has provided us with a way for our souls to ascend far beyond any ordinary realm. This is exemplified through the practice of the five daily prayers. Prayer is often regarded as the ascension (mi‘raj) of a believer. Through this form of worship and other acts of worship, one can spiritually journey far and beyond, leading to personal growth and a closer connection to Allah. When Allah’s grace accompanies one’s journey, every experience becomes noble and worthy of acceptance.
This type of travel is involuntary and, unlike astral projection, does not involve the ego (nafs). It is initiated through maintaining piety (taqwa) in one’s life, following the sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and continuous remembrance (dhikr).
Higher Spirituality
There is no greater spiritual experience than the the gnosis (marifa) of Allah Most High experienced throughout history and will continue to do so. If you wish to engage your faculties deeper to attain higher spirituality, seek a complete master of a spiritual path. He will lead you to a path that leads you to Allah Most High and ultimately to His gnosis (marifa), which is the purpose of life. I only created jinn and men, stresses Allah in the Quran, that they may worship Me:
The famous Quranic exegesis, Mujahid, explained Allah’s words: “except to worship Me (illa li ya‘budun)” to mean: “that they may know Me (illa li ya‘rifuni).”
Allah (Most High) opens our hearts to His light and gives us every success in seeking to know and draw closer to Him. Amin.
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Related
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
