Al-Ruqya — Quranic Healing: The Islamic Practice of Healing Through Recitation

The Permissible Ruqya — Conditions

The Prophet established that ruqya is permissible and beneficial when it meets three conditions (from the hadith of ‘Awf ibn Malik):

1. No shirk: No words or acts that associate partners with Allah
2. Clear meaning: The words are understandable (Arabic Quran and du’a — not unintelligible sounds)
3. No reliance on the ruqya itself: The healer and patient understand that healing comes from Allah, not the words themselves

Any “ruqya” that uses jinn, involves spirit-summoning, uses names other than Allah’s, or contains unintelligible sounds that the reciter cannot explain falls into prohibited territory.

What is Recited in Ruqya

The most authentic forms of ruqya from prophetic hadith:

1. Surah al-Fatiha — the Prophet described it as “the greatest ruqya” and it was used to cure a scorpion sting (Bukhari)

2. Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) — for protection and healing

3. The Mu’awwidhatain — Surah al-Falaq (113) and Surah al-Nas (114) — the Prophet recited these three times over himself when ill, then wiped over his body

4. The Prophetic healing du’a: “Allahuma rabb al-nas, adhhib al-ba’s, washfi anta al-shafi, la shifa’ illa shifa’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama” — “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction; heal, for You are the Healer; there is no healing but Your healing, a healing that leaves no disease behind” (Bukhari and Muslim)

5. Blowing (nafa’): The Sunnah of blowing three times after recitation, either on the palms then rubbing the body, or directly over the affected area.

Ruqya for Sihr (Magic) and ‘Ayn (Evil Eye)

The Prophet confirmed the reality of both sihr (magic) and ‘ayn (the evil eye) as causes of illness:

• ‘Ayn: “The evil eye is real.” (Muslim) — and prophetic instructions exist for preventing and treating it
• Sihr: The Prophet himself was reportedly affected by sihr and was healed by divine revelation (Bukhari) — ruqya is the primary treatment

For these spiritual causes of illness, ruqya al-shar’iyya (lawful ruqya) is the treatment of choice in Islamic medicine.

Ruqya as Self-Care

One does not need a specialist to perform ruqya. The Prophet taught that every Muslim can perform ruqya on themselves:

• Recite Ayat al-Kursi morning and evening
• Recite the Mu’awwidhatain three times at bedtime (blow on palms, wipe over body)
• Recite Quranic du’as during illness

The daily morning/evening adhkar ([[adhkar-morning]]) serve as preventive ruqya — a shield before illness strikes.

See also: Understanding Dua, Adhkar, Waswas, Quran Sciences, Fiqh Overview, Surah Al Fatiha, Adhkar Morning