Lately, I have become aware of a mysterious and unsettling presence within my vicinity - a practitioner of black magic. This discovery has sent shivers down my spine and filled me with a sense of trepidation. The signs were subtle at first, mere whispers in the wind and inexplicable phenomena. Objects would move on their own accord, strange symbols would appear etched into the walls, and the air would become heavy with an otherworldly energy. These occurrences would send chills down my spine, leaving me in a state of unease and uncertainty. Over time, these events grew more frequent and more pronounced.
As in other parts of South Asia and many Middle Eastern countries, the penchant for faith healers and black magic is deeply embedded in Pakistani society, despite Islam’s injunction against magic. From rich landlords to the menial workers who eke out a living in the backstreets of the country's cities, Pakistanis routinely turn to spiritual healers to cure ailments from cancer to epilepsy, to seek guidance on marriage, or even to deal with overly talkative daughters-in-law. Superstition abounds: It's bad luck to start a business on a Tuesday; breaking a glass is good luck; and doing housework in the evening will help ward off evil nighttime spirits.
Wearing a Muslim prayer cap and a beard commonly associated with the pious Shah says he offers spiritual guidance and healing to the poor, lost and ill. In addition to encouraging members of his congregation to pray, Ashraf does numerology, calculating a complicated series of numbers using the names of the complainant, their date of birth and time of day.
Over time, these events grew more frequent and more pronounced. It became evident that there was a malevolent force at play, a summoner of dark arts who reveled in the chaos and fear they instilled. I began to notice peculiar individuals lurking in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with an unholy fire.
Birds, snakes, and throwing meat: Superstition and black magic in Pakistan
LAHORE, Pakistan — Pervez Shah says he doesn’t practice black magic. My guide, Mushtaq, says otherwise.
To get to Shah’s office we travel down a narrow back alley in a residential area on the edge of Lahore. Shah sits inside, his hands covered in oversized rings, surrounded by a sea of terrariums and large, colored portraits showing him holding snakes, scorpions, and an owl — its wings outstretched and its round eyes glaring at the camera.
Shah fashions himself as a Pir, or a living saint — figures that play an important role in some branches of Islam. The Pirs are considered to be closer to God than the average human, and can offer guidance and help to other believers by praying for them in a time of need. The title is passed down from generation to generation, and many Pirs are also part of the large land-owning families that control huge swaths of rural Pakistan.
Shah uses the honorific title 'Syed' before his name, which means that he claims to be a direct descendent of the Prophet. Wearing a Muslim prayer cap and a beard — commonly associated with the pious — Shah says he offers spiritual guidance and healing to the poor, lost and ill.
As in other parts of South Asia and many Middle Eastern countries, the penchant for faith healers and black magic is deeply embedded in Pakistani society, despite Islam’s injunction against magic. From rich landlords to the menial workers who eke out a living in the backstreets of the country's cities, Pakistanis routinely turn to spiritual healers to cure ailments from cancer to epilepsy, to seek guidance on marriage, or even to deal with overly talkative daughters-in-law. Superstition abounds: It's bad luck to start a business on a Tuesday; breaking a glass is good luck; and doing housework in the evening will help ward off evil nighttime spirits.
“The magic exists, these evil spirits exist. There is no conflict [with these beliefs] in Islam,” explained Pir Syed Nisar Ashraf, when I visited him before heading to see Shah. Deep within the walled old city of Lahore, Ashraf runs a mosque that is named after his grandfather, also a Pir.
But Ashraf distinguishes between believing in magic and practicing it: “There are two treatments for all problems,” he says, “The spiritually pure one and black magic.” He explains that he often hears stories of men and women being exploited by fake Pirs who practice black magic.
“Women often go to people who practice black magic. They [the healer] say the problem is because of the mother-in-law or daughter-in-law, and they promote conflict between people. Black magic harms people, though it is effective,” he says.
Standing in Shah’s office, I recall Ashraf’s scornful words about fake Pirs and black magic. I enquire about the snakes in the pictures — unusual for a religious man to have on hand. He beckons me into a dark room just off his office. From under the desk he produces a small pink plastic basket and whips the lid off with a flourish.
Inside are three snakes. A black cobra unwinds itself from around a small clutch of eggs and rises menacingly from the basket. Shah picks up one of the other snakes and pops its head into his mouth. He then repeats the trick as I recoil. "Very poisonous," he says with a wide smile that reveals his red teeth, stained from years of chewing pan — a preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco.
Shah says that the snakes don't take part in any of his remedies. He says he just instructs people to read Quranic verses. Mushtaq, my guide, says that he's seen Shah write the name of a man's enemy on a piece of paper and feed it to one of the snakes. Mushtaq says Shah then instructed the man seeking to dispose of his enemy to throw the snake in the canal. "Your enemy will drown when the snake returns to me," Shah allegedly said.
I meet two of Shah's regular customers on the way out. One tells me that he first came to Shah because his son was struggling to get the money and necessary documents to immigrate to the United States. After visiting Shah, the man suddenly received a check for 100,000 rupees, which he used to pay for his son's US visa. His son now lives in Maryland. The other says that Shah helped him marry the woman of his choice and then helped them have children. Shah also intervened when his business was going badly.
If Shah does stray beyond pure prayer, Ashraf, back at the mosque, does as well. In addition to encouraging members of his congregation to pray, Ashraf does numerology, calculating a complicated series of numbers using the names of the complainant, their date of birth and time of day. Sometimes Quranic verses are added in. The numbers are then written on a piece of paper called a naqsh, and worn around the neck in an amulet, known as a taveez.
Ashraf also encourages some of his congregation to release birds. “If a person is not in a good peace of mind spiritually, you release a bird. You give life [to the bird] and that brings peace. There is logic in this matter,” he said in a matter-of-fact way.
In the markets dotted around Lahore, and sometimes at the intersections on the roads, you can find the bird sellers. They sell birds of all different shapes and sizes, which they say help bring blessings for different things. Sheik Shahid, who has been selling birds for 25 years, says that people sometimes come to him with very specific requests, like an all black hen or a pair of mating doves.
“It is what the Pirs have told them to get. We don’t usually ask why, we just try to fulfill the request,” he said with a shrug.
Along the main road leaving the eastern section of Lahore, I encounter another superstition involving birds. Men stand at the roadside with small bags of meat. Drivers stop and buy a bag as their cars leave the city. Feeding the birds circling overhead — mostly crows and kites — is meant to offer protection to the driver and passengers as they set out on a journey.
“If you do good to the birds they will do good for you,” explains Muhammad Khalid, one of the meat sellers. “But these are all superstitions and have little basis in Islam,” he adds, explaining that only some people ask him to recite an Islamic prayer before he throws the meat to the birds.
Unfortunately, the sight of a foreign woman standing on the side of a road seeking the birds' blessings attracts a small crowd. When my bags of meat are emptied onto the grass, the birds don’t come. I ask Khalid if that means I won’t get my good fortune. He assures me that my 20 rupees will have the requisite effect.
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Their sinister presence was palpable, leaving an indelible mark on the atmosphere around me. In my quest to uncover the truth, I delved into the depths of ancient texts and obscure folklore, hoping to shed light on the enigma that now surrounded me. The more I learned, the more I became convinced of the existence of a practitioner of black magic in my midst. **The main question that haunts me is their motive - why would someone dabble in such dark and dangerous arts? What drives them to unleash such malevolence upon innocent souls? Do they seek power, revenge, or something far more sinister?** As I pondered the answers to these questions, I realized that the presence of this practitioner was affecting not only my own well-being but also the lives of those around me. The once vibrant and peaceful community I called home became tainted by fear and mistrust. People became reclusive, afraid to venture out after dark, and whispers of curses and hexes filled the air. In the face of this malevolence, I understood that mere knowledge would not be enough to combat this dark force. It would require courage, unity, and the strength of unwavering conviction to stand against the practitioner and protect our community from their nefarious deeds. Though the path ahead is treacherous and filled with uncertainty, I am resolved to face this practitioner head-on. I will gather allies, seek guidance from wise sages, and arm myself with ancient rituals to counter their dark spells. Together, we shall bring light to the darkness and restore peace to our shattered community. But beware, for the practitioner of black magic is cunning and elusive. They will not go down without a fight. It is imperative that we remain united, steadfast, and resolute on our quest to rid our vicinity of their wicked influence. In this battle between light and darkness, we must prevail, for the safety of our community and the preservation of our souls. We cannot allow fear to consume us but must instead embrace the power within ourselves to vanquish the practitioner of black magic, restoring tranquility and harmony once more..
Reviews for "The Intriguing World of Black Magic Practitioners: A Close Encounter"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - "I was really excited to read 'Practitioner of black magic within my vicinity' as I am a fan of spooky and mystical novels. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The author tried to build up suspense and horror, but it fell flat. I found myself questioning the believability of the events in the story, and it took away from the overall experience. Overall, it was a lackluster read for me."
2. Jason - 1 star - "I could not bring myself to finish reading 'Practitioner of black magic within my vicinity'. The writing style was incredibly amateurish, with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures throughout the book. It felt like it hadn't gone through proper editing or proofreading. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself getting bored after just a few chapters. The plot had potential, but it was executed poorly. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging supernatural thriller."
3. Emily - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Practitioner of black magic within my vicinity,' but unfortunately it failed to meet my expectations. The characters were unlikable and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or root for their success. The story itself had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of tedious dialogue and minimal action. I found myself skimming through paragraphs to find something of interest, but was largely disappointed. Overall, this book was a letdown in terms of both character development and plot execution."