The trial of magic in Babylon: Harut and Marut

In the context of censuring the followers of the Jews and Christians, the Qur'an says 'Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people sorcery — and that which was sent down upon the two angels in Babylon, Harut and Marut; and they do not teach anyone until they say: we are only a trial, so do not disbelieve' al-Baqarah 102.

'We are only a trial' means teaching sorcery was a test for people: whoever sought it disbelieved and sinned, and whoever preferred his religion over sorcery remained on guidance — God says 'whoever holds fast to God is guided to a straight path' in the surrounding verses al-Baqarah 102.

The names 'Harut and Marut' are those upon whom what was mentioned descended; they have their own records in this browser, and the concept record 'Harut and Marut' gathers their story with the tafsir works that differed over whether they were angels, jinn or humans ².

This verse is among the Qur'an's deepest texts on sorcery; it brings together devils who scoffed at Solomon's age and two beings sent to test people, and it is one of this browser's sources for understanding 'sihr' and 'trial' ^{1 2}.