01/08/2025
RUQYAH IN THE QUR’ĀN & SUNNAH
‘Ruqyah’ is the practice of treating illnesses through Qur’ānic āyāt and invocations as
prescribed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It provides a cure for evil eye, magic and
physical ailments.
The Qur’ān offers perfect solace to a believer - both spirtually 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 providing a cure, Ruqyah is an excellent way for the believers to build their
Imān and reaffirm their tawhīd for Allah ﷻ. Indeed seeking treatment through theﷻ Qur’ān demonstrates complete belief in the Book of Allah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Make good use of the two cures: honey and the
Qur’ān.” (Ibn Mājah)
‘Ā’ishah said: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was ill, Jibrīl ؑ performed Ruqyah
on him.” (Muslim)
In another hadith, ‘Ā’ishah informs us that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon
her and found a woman treating her with Ruqyah (through other than the words of
Allah ﷻ). He ﷺ said: “Treat her with the book of Allah ﷻ.” (Ibn Hibbān) She also said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to command me to perform Ruqyah from the evil
eye.” (Muslim)
Once the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a girl whose face had changed colour in the
house of Umm Salamah , so he ﷺ said: “Seek Ruqyah for her, because she has
been affected by the evil eye.” (Bukhārī)
‘Ā’ishah narrated that whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would become sick, he
would recite [the last 3 Sūrahs of the Qur’ān] and then blow over his body. She says:
“During his last illness from which he passed away, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 hadīth, she mentions that whenever anyone from his family would
become ill, he ﷺ would blow over them with these three Sūrahs. (Muslim)
‘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 )
