Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.
Islamic ruqyah is one of the lawful forms of treatment in Islam. It is the recitation of the Qur’an, authentic supplications, and permissible remembrances over the sick or afflicted person, while firmly believing that healing is from Allah alone and that ruqyah is only a means. It does not benefit by itself except by Allah’s permission.
This subject is understood according to the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah: affirming what the Qur’an and Sunnah affirm, benefiting from lawful ruqyah, preserving tawhid, leaving shirk, talismans, and obsessive claims, and avoiding claims of the unseen or accusing people without evidence.
Ruqyah is what is recited over a sick or afflicted person from the Qur’an, du'a, or dhikr, seeking healing and protection. It is Islamic and lawful when its wording is permissible, its meaning is sound, and it is free from shirk, talismans, and seeking help from the jinn.
Ruqyah is not a doorway to superstition or exaggeration. It is worship, supplication, and attachment to Allah, while also taking lawful medical and psychological means when needed.
It is established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, performed ruqyah on himself, performed ruqyah for others, and approved his companions’ use of Qur’anic ruqyah.
'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, became ill, he would recite the Mu'awwidhat over himself and blow lightly. When his pain became severe, I would recite over him and wipe him with his own hand, hoping for its blessing.” Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
In the story of the Companion who recited Al-Fatihah as ruqyah over the leader of a people and he recovered, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, approved it. This shows that Al-Fatihah is among the greatest things used in ruqyah.
When they mentioned it to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he said: “How did you know that it is a ruqyah? You did the right thing. Divide the reward, and allocate a share for me with you.” Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Ruqyah is a lawful and beneficial means by Allah’s permission, but it is not an independent cause that guarantees healing for every person in every situation. Healing may be delayed due to wisdom, the illness may need another form of treatment, or the trial may raise the servant’s rank and expiate sins.
For this reason, the Muslim combines Islamic ruqyah, du'a and tawakkul, repentance and istighfar, lawful medical treatment, patience, and good thoughts of Allah.
| Topic | Summary | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Reality of ruqyah | Reciting Qur’an, du'a, or dhikr seeking healing and protection | Healing is from Allah alone |
| Greatest recitations | Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, the Mu'awwidhat, and ayahs of healing | The Muslim keeps to what is lawful and sound |
| Ruqyah on oneself | It is prescribed and often best | It does not require rituals or exaggeration |
| Medical treatment | There is no contradiction between ruqyah and medicine | Taking the means is part of complete tawakkul |
Yes. A Muslim performing ruqyah on himself is prescribed, and it is often better because it gathers du'a, neediness before Allah, and presence of heart. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to perform ruqyah on himself with the Mu'awwidhat.
A person does not have to be a major scholar in order to perform ruqyah on himself or his family. However, he must keep to what is authentic and permissible and stay away from superstition and violations.
Ruqyah does not contradict medical treatment. The Qur’an is healing, du'a is healing, and medicine is one of the means Allah has allowed people to benefit from. It is wrong to leave necessary treatment because one is reciting ruqyah, just as it is wrong to rely on medicine and forget du'a.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Seek treatment, servants of Allah, for Allah has not placed a disease except that He has placed for it a cure.” Narrated by Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi, and others; authenticated or graded hasan by a number of scholars.
Yes. Ruqyah with the Qur’an and authentic supplications is established in the Sunnah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, performed ruqyah on himself and approved his companions’ ruqyah with Al-Fatihah.
The foundation is that a Muslim performs ruqyah on himself, and this is good and prescribed. If he needs someone righteous and upright to perform ruqyah for him, there is no harm, provided the ruqyah is Islamic and lawful.
No. Ruqyah may be used for illness, pain, the evil eye, envy, magic, fear, and other situations in which the Muslim needs du'a and healing.
The hadith of Al-Fatihah indicates that taking compensation for ruqyah is permissible. However, ruqyah should not become a doorway to exploitation or excessive commercialization.
Islamic ruqyah is worship, supplication, and one of the means of healing. It is built upon the Qur’an, the Sunnah, tawhid, and good reliance upon Allah. The Muslim should learn correct ruqyah, stay away from sorcery and obsessive claims, and combine du'a, Qur’an, and beneficial means, for all healing is in the hand of Allah alone.