Ruqyah Shar'iyyah (Islamic Spiritual Healing)
Suggest editDefinition and Scope
Ruqyah shar'iyyah (رقية شرعية — legitimate Islamic spiritual healing) refers to the recitation of Quranic verses, authentic du'a (supplications), and the names and attributes of Allah as a means of seeking healing and protection from illness, the evil eye (ayn), envy (hasad), black magic (sihr), and disturbance by jinn. The word ruqyah was used in pre-Islamic Arabia for incantations and charms, some of which the Prophet ﷺ allowed and some prohibited. The qualifying word shar'iyyah (lawful according to the Shari'ah) distinguishes legitimate Islamic healing practice from prohibited forms that involve shirk (associating partners with Allah), unknown or magical words, seeking the aid of jinn, or methods with no basis in authentic Islam.
Prophetic Foundation
The Prophet ﷺ practiced ruqyah, approved of it for others, and taught it explicitly. Aisha reported: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to blow over his hands when he was ill and wipe his face and his body with them. On the night he was dying, I took his hand and wiped it over his body' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5751). When his Companions were bitten by a scorpion or snake in a distant land and the people of that area asked if anyone knew ruqyah, one Companion recited Surah al-Fatiha over the patient, who recovered. They brought the payment they were given to the Prophet ﷺ, who smiled and said: 'How did you know it was a ruqyah? Divide the payment, and give me a share along with you' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5736).
The Prophet ﷺ used specific formulas for ruqyah, including: 'Bismillah arqika, min kulli shay'in yu'dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw 'aynin hasid, Allahu yashfik, bismillah arqik' (In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah over you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye, may Allah heal you — in the name of Allah I perform ruqyah over you) (Sahih Muslim 2186). He also taught Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas specifically as protections from evil and envy.
Conditions for Legitimate Ruqyah
Scholars have established three conditions that distinguish shar'iyyah ruqyah from impermissible practices:
- The words must be from the Quran, authentic hadith, or permissible du'a in Arabic (or other languages whose meaning is understood and permissible)
- It must be understood — using words or symbols whose meaning is unknown or obscure is prohibited, as it may involve hidden shirk
- The practitioner must believe the healing comes from Allah — not from the ruqyah itself as a magical formula, but through Allah's power. Ruqyah is a means; Allah is the Healer.
The Reality of Sihr, Evil Eye, and Jinn
The Quran and Sunnah affirm the reality of sihr (magic), the evil eye, and jinn interaction with humans — these are not superstitions but matters established in the texts. Allah says in Quran 2:102 that sorcerers taught magic, and that magic can cause harm between a man and his wife. The evil eye is confirmed by the Prophet ﷺ: 'The evil eye is real, and if anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye' (Sahih Muslim 2188). Protection from these realities is sought through consistent dhikr (remembrance of Allah), reciting Ayat al-Kursi, the three Quls (Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas), morning and evening adhkar, and through ruqyah when needed.
What Is Prohibited
Prohibited forms of ruqyah include: using unknown or magical incantations, asking jinn for assistance, visiting fortune-tellers or sorcerers even to counteract magic, using amulets with unclear inscriptions, or attributing healing power to any being other than Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad' (Sunan Abu Dawud 3904). The market for false ruqyah practitioners who exploit vulnerable people with claims of detecting and removing magic for large fees is a real problem in many Muslim communities, and scholars urge Muslims to seek verified, knowledgeable practitioners and to rely primarily on the authentic daily adhkar rather than extraordinary intervention.