 they began to follow that to which the devils falsely attributed the kingdom of solomon. in fact solomon was never involved in any practice of disbelief but the satans who taught magic to the people were themselves guilty of disbelief. they were after that thing which was sent to harut and marut the two angels at babylon. whenever these two angels taught black art to anyone they would always give a clear warning beforehand saying we are merely a trial for you so you should not commit blasphemy. but in spite of this warning those people used to learn from the angels the art which caused division between husband and wife. although it was obvious that they could not do any harm to anyone by means of this magic without allahs permission yet they learnt that art which could not be profitable even for them but was actually harmful. moreover they knew it full well that anyone who purchased that art would have no share in the hereafter. what a vile commodity it was for which they sold off their souls if they had but known it!
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