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Ruqyah in The Qur’an & Sunnah
‘Ruqyah’ is the practice of treating illnesses through Qur’ānic āyāt, and invocations prescribed by the Messenger of Allah ﷻ. It is a means of cure for evil eye, magic, jinn and
physical ailments.
The Qur’ān offers complete solace to a believer – both spiritually and physically. Ruqyah should therefore play an essential role in our lives. Allah ﷻ says, “And say: The truth has come, and falsehood has vanished. Surely falsehood is ever bound to vanish by its very nature. And We send down in the Qur’ān that which is a cure and a mercy for the believers” (17:81-2).
As well as providing a means of cure, ruqyah is an excellent way for the believers to build their īmān and reaffirm their tawḥīd for Allah ﷻ. This is because seeking treatment through the Glorious Qur’ān undoubtedly demonstrates
complete belief in the Book of Allah ﷻ.
‘The Qur’ān is the complete healing for all mental, spiritual and physical diseases; all the diseases of this world and the Hereafter. But not everyone is guided to use it for the purpose of healing. If the sick person uses the Qur’ān for healing in the proper way, and applies it to his disease with sincerity, faith, complete acceptance and firm conviction, fulfilling all its conditions, then no disease can resist it.’
(Ibn al-Qayyim )
The Messenger of Allah said: “Make good use of the two cures: honey and the Qur’ān.” (Ibn Mājah)
‘Ā’ishah said: “When the Messenger of Allah was ill, Jibrīl performed ruqyah on him.” (Muslim)
‘Ā’ishah informs us that the Messenger of Allah entered upon her and found a woman treating her with ruqyah (through other than the words of Allah ). He
said: “Treat her with the book of Allah.” (Ibn Ḥibbān)
She also said: “The Messenger of Allah used to command me to perform ruqyah from the evil eye.” (Muslim)
Once the Messenger of Allah saw a girl whose face had changed colour in the house of Umm Salamah , so he said: “Seek ruqyah for her, because she has been affected by the evil eye.” (Bukhārī)
‘Ā’ishah narrated that whenever the Messenger of Allah would become sick, he would recite [the last three sūrahs of the Qur’ān] and then blow (in his hands and wipe) over his body. She says: “During his last illness from which he passed away, the Messenger of Allah used to blow over himself. But when his sickness intensified, I used to (recite and then) blow over him using his own hands because of their blessings.” (Bukhārī)
In another ḥadīth, she mentions that whenever anyone from his family would become ill, he would blow over them with these three sūrahs. (Muslim)
Conditions for Ruqyah to be Successful
Intention
Ruqyah is a du‘ā’. The intention should always be to ask Allah to remove the evil or harm through the words of the Qur’ān.
Conviction
One should recite loudly and clearly, with firm conviction (yaqīn), belief and trust in Allah, who alone gives cure.
Patience & Consistency
Ruqyah is a du‘ā’. The intention should always be to ask Allah to remove the evil or harm through the words of the Qur’ān.
Method of Ruqyah
Before Ruqyah
- Make wuḍū, offer two rak‘ahs and make sincere du‘ā’. Du‘ā’, especially in tahajjud, brings great reprieve and assistance from Allah .
- Make abundant and sincere istighfār (seeking forgiveness from Allah ), and stay away from sins. Restore people’s rights if you have wronged them or taken anything unjustly.
- Give ṣadaqah as it wards off calamity. The Messenger of Allah said: “Treat your sick by giving ṣadaqah.” (Bayhaqī)
- Remove animate pictures from the home. Any amulets (ta‘wīz) containing illegible text or invoking other than Allah should also be taken out and disposed of.
- Remain in a state of wuḍū throughout the day. Also sleep with wuḍū.
During Ruqyah
- Recite the ruqyah (see p.4 – p.9) loudly, clearly and with
concentration at least 3 or 7 times. - Recite directly into your hands, blowing into them and rubbing them over the body. You may also recite whilst placing your hands over the part of the body that is in pain.
- You may recite and blow on water. Keep your mouth close to the water, breathe into it and repeatedly blow over it. This can be used for drinking and bathing (see p.15). Olive oil and other Sunnah medicines can also be recited upon and applied to the body.
- When reciting on others, place your hand on the forehead of the affected person (maḥram or spouse only), or on the part of the body in pain, then recite and blow.
- If one cannot recite, then ruqyah can be listened to. This should be done with full concentration. One should listen carefully and ensure that they do not fall asleep.
Verses of Ruqyah from The Qur’an