All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Magic still exists to this day, and it is real and has effects by the permission of Allah, the Almighty. The claim that it came to an end after the revelation of Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas is incorrect.
The Quran and Sunnah provide evidence for the existence of magic. Among these proofs are:
1. Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And from the evil of those who blow on knots.” [Surah Al-Falaq: 4]
This refers to female sorcerers who blow on knots when practicing magic.
2. The Prophet ﷺ counted magic among the seven destructive sins, meaning the major sins that lead to destruction, as reported in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
3. Other hadiths contain prohibitions against magic and warnings about it, which indicates that it did not cease to exist after the revelation of the two protective surahs.
4. It is authentically reported that Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote, one year before his death: “Execute every sorcerer.” This indicates that magic still existed during that period.
Scholars have agreed that magic exists and that learning and teaching it are forbidden, although they differ on certain details concerning the rulings applicable to sorcerers.
As for Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, Allah prescribed them as a means of seeking refuge in Him from magic and other forms of evil, and of protection against them by His permission. Their revelation does not mean that magic ceased to exist or disappeared.
In conclusion, magic still exists today and is one of the major sins. Allah has prescribed that we seek refuge in Him from its evil, including by reciting the two protective surahs three times in the morning and evening.
And Allah knows best.