they followed the incantations that the devils used against the kingdom of solomon. solomon did not hide the truth but the devils did. they taught magic to the people and whatever was revealed to the two angels harut and marut in babylon. the two angels did not teach anything to anyone without saying our case is a temptation for the people so do not hide the truth. people learned something from the two angels that could cause discord between a man and his wife. however they could harm no one except by the permission of god. in fact the learned things that would harm them and render them no benefit. they knew very well that one who engaged in witchcraft would have no reward in the life hereafter. would that they had known that they had sold their souls for that which is vile!
واتبعوا ما تتلو الشياطين على ملك سليمان وما كفر سليمان ولكن الشياطين كفروا يعلمون الناس السحر وما أنزل على الملكين ببابل هاروت وماروت وما يعلمان من أحد حتى يقولا إنما نحن فتنة فلا تكفر فيتعلمون منهما ما يفرقون به بين المرء وزوجه وما هم بضارين به من أحد إلا بإذن الله ويتعلمون ما يضرهم ولا ينفعهم ولقد علموا لمن اشتراه ما له في الآخرة من خلاق ولبئس ما شروا به أنفسهم لو كانوا يعلمون