How can I protect myself from black magic?

The scientific mindset is that which attributes phenomena to their scientific causes relying on evidences and proofs. The superstitious mindset is that which does not attribute phenomena to their real causes but to the unseen and does not rely on proofs. A Muslim person must have a scientific mindset that qualifies him to worship Allah, administer the earth, and purify the self. He must not heed the superstitious mindset that follows delusions, suppositions, and does not rely on evidences and proofs. At present, the superstitious mindset has become widespread among Muslims and many ascribe disruptions in rizq (provisions) and other afflictions to magic, the evil eye and the like.

The right thing to do is examine the true and logical reasons behind these phenomena and try to overcome them through the law of casuality on which Allah bases the interests of His servants. You are to seek the help of Allah in this. A Muslim must likewise increase his faith in Allah by accepting what Allah destines for him and by making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and du'a` (supplication), sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in abundance and reciting the tried and tested invocations of ruqya (healing words). The ruqya is merely a protection against evil and depression by the will of Allah; it is not magic as some construe it. It is necessary to the take into account the relevant causes for every individual case.

This does not mean that magic and jinn do not exist; we have been informed of their existence. However, we disapprove of indulging in attributing everything that happens to us to magic and jinn. The majority of those who claim to offer cures for magic and jinn [possessions] are charlatans and materialistic while the majority of those who assume that they are under a spell or are harmed by jinn are delusional.

In any case, the person who does not find a logical cause for something that happens to him and is convinced that he is bewitched or the like, must use the ruqya and the permissible means of seeking refuge in Allah such as reciting the chapters of Fatiha, al-Nas, Al-Falaq and the supplications for refuge that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used. Moreover, a person may use supplications of refuge that the Prophet did not mention but which do not contravene the etiquette of du'a` and dhikr. It has been reported that when witchcraft was used against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he took out the comb and combings that were used for the spell. He then recited surat Al-Nas and Al-Falaq and Allah the Almighty cured him.