Seeking Treatment Is from the Sunnah

لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ، فَإِذَا أُصِيبَ دَوَاءُ الدَّاءِ بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Every illness has a remedy. When the appropriate remedy is applied to an illness, the person recovers by the permission of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic." Narrated by Muslim, no. 2204.

نَعَمْ يَا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ تَدَاوَوْا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَضَعْ دَاءً إِلَّا وَضَعَ لَهُ شِفَاءً، أَوْ قَالَ دَوَاءً، إِلَّا دَاءً وَاحِدًا

الْهَرَمُ

When he was asked about seeking treatment, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Yes, servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not created an illness without also creating for it a cure, or he said, a remedy, except for one illness." They asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is it? He said: "Old age." Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, no. 2038, who said: This is a hasan sahih hadith.

Consulting a doctor and using permissible medicine do not contradict the heart's reliance on Allah. A doctor may identify the cause of an illness and the appropriate treatment, but the benefit of treatment and the occurrence of healing are within Allah's decree, not outside it. These texts do not mean that every available treatment suits every patient or guarantees recovery.

Seeking permissible treatment is prescribed in Islam, and scholars have stated that it is recommended. This does not mean that every medicine or operation is obligatory for every patient. A decision about a particular treatment requires knowledge of the patient's condition, the treatment's benefit, its risks, and the consequences of leaving it. If the Islamic ruling on a particular treatment is unclear, ask qualified scholars and explain the medical assessment to them.

Ruqyah Is a Lawful Spiritual Means

اعْرِضُوا عَلَيَّ رُقَاكُمْ، لَا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شِرْكٌ

Ruqyah through the Quran and prescribed supplication is a means established in Islam, not an appeal to a power independent of Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Show me your ruqyahs. There is no harm in ruqyah so long as it contains no shirk." Narrated by Muslim, no. 2200.

You can perform ruqyah on yourself by reciting what you can of the Quran and authentic supplications. You do not have to wait for a ruqyah practitioner before supplicating to Allah and reciting. For the general method, read How to Perform Ruqyah on Yourself.

Medicine Is a Physical Means

Diagnosing a physical or mental illness, prescribing medication, and determining its dosage are matters for a qualified professional. An illness is not established as being caused by the evil eye or magic simply because someone cries or yawns during recitation, or because an initial examination has not revealed its cause. The affirmation of the evil eye and magic in the Islamic texts does not make every symptom evidence of them.

Do not accept claims that your treatment depends on talismanic formulas, calling upon anyone other than Allah, accusing a relative, or harming you through beating or choking. Reciting the Quran at the beginning of a session does not make any shirk or prohibited practices mixed with it permissible. See The Difference Between Islamic Ruqyah and Sorcery.

How Does a Muslim Combine Them?

When visiting a doctor, describe your symptoms as they are, explain when they began, and mention any medicines, herbs, and supplements you take. Ask about the treatment's expected benefit, its side effects, and when you should return for follow-up. Some herbs and supplements may interact with medication, and the word "natural" is not enough to establish that something is safe or suitable for you.

At home, recite the Quran, supplicate to Allah, and maintain the five daily prayers according to your ability, along with the established adhkar. You can do this while receiving treatment. Ruqyah does not require stopping medication, and starting medication is not a reason to stop supplicating.

Do not stop a prescribed medicine or change its dosage on the advice of a ruqyah practitioner who lacks the relevant medical qualifications, or on the basis of someone else's experience. If concerning effects appear, contact your doctor or pharmacist; if warning signs appear, seek urgent care. A ruqyah practitioner is not authorized to make a medical decision merely because they know how to recite. Likewise, a doctor who is not qualified to issue fatwas cannot independently determine an unclear Islamic ruling concerning a medicine's ingredients or use.

When a Muslim Feels Pain in His Body

When Uthman ibn Abi al-As, may Allah be pleased with him, complained of pain in his body, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed him to place his hand over the painful area and say the transmitted dhikr. Place your hand over the painful area if doing so will not harm you, and say:

Narrated by Muslim, no. 2202. These counts are reported for this particular dhikr; they are not evidence for inventing a number or duration for every ruqyah. This supplication must not be made a substitute for assessing pain that needs medical attention. For more detail, read What to Say When Feeling Pain.

Is Mental Illness Treated with Ruqyah or Medicine?

A Muslim's need for a mental health professional or psychiatric medication does not in itself indicate weak faith, nor does it contradict belief that the Quran is a healing. A person may combine the Quran and supplication with appropriate psychological treatment or medication determined by a qualified professional. A patient should not be blamed simply because anxiety, depression, or another condition has not gone away through recitation.

If symptoms persist or affect sleep, work, or relationships, seek an appropriate assessment. Do not settle for explaining them as weak worship or an effect of the jinn. For authentic supplications during distress, read Adhkar for Worry, Sadness, and Distress, without making them a substitute for the care you need.