Understanding Magic and Ruqyah: Myths, Truths, and Healing in Islam

Can Magic Affect a Person? Insights on Ruqyah and Treatment in Islam

Question: Can it be confirmed whether someone or a family member is affected by magic? Is there a way to confirm this? If yes, can you guide us to a scholar or reciter who can help? My father, who has sound beliefs, says that if a person does not react to Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas being recited over them, then there is no magic. He also says these two Surahs are the cure for magic as they were revealed regarding magic affecting the Prophet (ﷺ). Is his opinion correct? And I say, since the knot tied with the Prophet’s (ﷺ) hair was untied, do we need to do anything beyond reciting these Surahs?

Answer: Trying to confirm whether someone or their family is affected by magic is foolishness and stems from the deceitful practices of cunning individuals who exploit society. There is no “thermometer” in Islam to confirm magic, nor any recitation that magically creates an expert who can check whether someone is affected by magic. People who claim to do this are merely exploiting others for money. Remove such baseless and nonsensical ideas from your mind.

If you suffer from any illness, seek treatment related to that illness from a medical professional, as Allah has sent down a cure for every disease. Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its remedy.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5678).

Similarly, Jabir (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "For every disease, there is a cure, and when the proper cure is applied to the disease, it is healed by the permission of Allah." (Sahih Muslim: 2204).

Usama bin Sharik (RA) reported that some Bedouins asked the Prophet (ﷺ) if they should seek medical treatment. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: "Yes, O servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, except for one disease, namely old age." (Sahih Abi Dawood: 3855).

These narrations are enough to understand. Pay particular attention to the last hadith – what was asked, and how did the Prophet (ﷺ) respond?

Have you ever seen a person who is healthy and has no issues, go to a doctor and ask them to check what illness they might have? No, they only go to a doctor when they feel unwell. The same applies to magic; only if its effects are seen should you seek Islamic treatment (Ruqyah). Do not go to any professional “practitioners” who claim expertise, as those who label themselves experts are lying. There is no specific reading or training for this in Islam, nor do Islamic schools offer a degree for it.

Both your father’s views and your thinking are incorrect. If you clearly see someone is affected by magic, perform Ruqyah Shar’iyah (Islamic healing). The entire Qur’an is a cure. You can recite from anywhere in it for Ruqyah, even just one verse, like Ayat al-Kursi. The Prophet (ﷺ) was cured of magic by two Surahs, and you can recite those as well. The Prophet (ﷺ) also used to perform Ruqyah by reciting three Surahs (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Naas), so you may recite these too.

In short, as with illnesses, you can recite the Qur’an and prescribed invocations for Ruqyah, and that is the only treatment for magic. Regarding the matter of the knot tied with the Prophet’s (ﷺ) hair, it was united by Jibreel (AS) by Allah’s command. That is not your responsibility. I have explained Ruqyah Shar’iyah in detail and warned against the wrong methods used by practitioners. You can listen to my lecture on this subject on my YouTube channel. To easily find it, check the playlist titled “Ruqyah Shar’iyah.”

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

⟨Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia⟩