Is it permissible to put on a “magic show” and is it permissible to attend it?

What we understand
from the question is that a show was put on in the mosque by children, in
which there was what is called “leger de main (sleight of hand)” or “magic
tricks”. If this is what happened, then you did well by not letting your
children attend that show, in which this evil action was done. The ones who
approved of that and helped to make it happen have done something wrong, and
this is exacerbated if the show was in the mosque and if it was done by
children. We hope that they will not do this again. What they should be
doing is raising Muslim children with decent morals and manners, teaching
them beneficial knowledge and instilling in them the beliefs of Ahl
as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah, without any contamination or confusion. If you want
to advise them and denounce what was done, then you should do so in a gentle
and kind manner. 

It should be noted
that the magic which Allah, may He be exalted, condemns and against which
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) warned is that which
may be called “the magic of illusion”. Allah, may He be exalted, mentioned
it in His Holy Book, when He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then
behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as
though they moved fast”
[Ta-Ha 20:66].
Allah, may He be exalted, called this action of theirs magic, and He called
them magicians. Moreover, such shows may give the impression that magic and
magicians are harmless. This was an error on the part of those who put on
these shows in the context of educating children, in addition to the fact
that it is a sin in and of itself. 

Shaykh Saalih
al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked: 

What is the ruling
on watching the “magic of illusion”, whether that is in real life or on
television? 

He replied: 

It is not
permissible to watch magic, whether it is real or is just illusions. It is
not permissible because it is falsehood, and it is not permissible to
witness or watch falsehood, because by watching it one has approved of it,
unless he is watching it in order to denounce it and strive to put an end to
it. In that case there is nothing wrong with it. But if he watches it and
says nothing, or he tells others about it, this is haraam because it is idle
entertainment. 

End quote from the
shaykh’s website:

http://www.alfawzan.ws/node/4827

The shaykh (may
Allah preserve him) was also asked: 

Often during the
summer vacation there are festivals that are held for leisure purposes, in
which there are circuses, and they bring people who do things like tightrope
walking or pulling cars along with their hair or eating live coals, and
other such things. Some of them appear to be righteous. What is the ruling
on these actions of theirs? 

He replied: This
comes from the Shaytaan, and these actions are from the Shaytaan; no one can
eat live coals, or drink boiling water. How can he eat live coals? He is
lying; it appears to the people as if he is eating live coals, but in fact
the coal does not reach him and does not even come near his body. The same
applies to the car that he pulls along (with his hair). It is not
permissible for the Muslims to approve of these things, even if they call it
illusion or artistry, or whatever they call it. We should not open the door
to magic, witchcraft, and trickery. This is something that is not
permissible and the authorities should prevent it. It is obligatory for them
to prevent it right now and not to approve of it. None of the seekers of
knowledge should keep quiet about this matter.

End quote from the
shaykh’s website: :

http://www.alfawzan.ws/node/48273 

If your question
is about something other than what we have mentioned, then we hope that you
will get in touch with us again and explain further what is meant. We
appreciate your efforts to take care of your children and give them a sound
Islamic upbringing. 

And Allah knows
best.