Understanding Ruqyah: The Correct Practice for Healing with the Quran

Ruqyah and the Quran: A Guide to Spiritual Healing

Question: When I recite the Quran, I blow on water and drink it because I was affected by magic. Is this practice correct? When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was affected by magic, what was his routine? Did he recite two Surahs or three, and did he recite them in the morning and evening or how many times? Please clarify this issue.

Answer: Reciting the Quran and performing Ruqyah (spiritual healing) are two different acts. When you recite the Quran, keep it as recitation and do not turn it into Ruqyah. When you intend to perform Ruqyah, recite from the Quran with that intention. When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was affected by magic, Jibreel (عليه السلام) brought the Mu’awwidhatayn (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas) and recited them over him to remove the magic. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the Mu’awwidhat (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas) for Ruqyah.

Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated:

أنَّ النبيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ كانَ إذَا اشْتَكَى يَقْرَأُ علَى نَفْسِهِ بالمُعَوِّذَاتِ ويَنْفُثُ، فَلَمَّا اشْتَدَّ وَجَعُهُ كُنْتُ أَقْرَأُ عليه وأَمْسَحُ بيَدِهِ رَجَاءَ بَرَكَتِهَا (Sahih Bukhari: 5016)

“The Prophet (ﷺ) when he was ill, used to recite the Mu’awwidhat (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas) and blow over himself. When his pain became severe, I used to recite these Surahs and blow over him, and rub his hands over his body for its blessings.”

In light of this Hadith, you can also recite these three Surahs for Ruqyah. Additionally, it is recommended to recite these three Surahs and blow over yourself every night before sleeping, as was the practice of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi

Jeddah Dawah Center – Al-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia