What are the common signs of sihr?

Scholars and practitioners describe a recognisable cluster, though no single item on this list proves anything by itself:

• A sudden, unexplained change in how someone feels about a spouse or close relative, with no incident behind it
• Persistent blockage in work, provision or study despite genuine effort
• Deep apathy: sleeping constantly, abandoning tasks, losing all drive
• Recurring disturbing dreams, particularly of snakes, heights, graveyards or being chased
• Physical symptoms that doctors investigate and cannot account for
• Marked aversion to prayer, the Quran, or the masjid
• Tightness in the chest, especially between maghrib and midnight
• Strong reaction during Quranic recitation in someone who is otherwise calm

The pattern matters more than any single sign. Everyone experiences low motivation and bad dreams. What raises suspicion is several of these appearing together, arriving suddenly, and persisting after medical causes have been ruled out.

Investigate the ordinary explanations first. They account for the overwhelming majority of cases.