Ruqya (healing by recitation and charms): when it is lawful, its conditions, and the taking of a fee for it

الرقية

Ruqya in the lexicon is the charm recited over a sufferer from fever or fits, and its plural is ruqa. ¹ ² The majority allow healing by recitation under three conditions: that it use the words of God or His names and attributes; that it be in Arabic or in words whose meaning is known; and that the one who recites believe that it works only by God's leave, following the saying that there is no harm in charms when they contain no shirk. ² Some scholars disliked it as harming trust in God, and some allowed it only for the evil eye and a sting. ² The majority allow a fee for ruqya. ³

Summary

Bedtime protection, and Surat al-Baqara at home

The speaker describes the protective recitations he teaches children at bedtime: the opening chapter, seeking refuge from Satan, and the two refuge chapters with breath on the palms. ⁴ He says that reciting Surat al-Baqara at home drives Satan away, and he criticises those who question people about their children. ⁵

Taqwa and refuge in God

The speaker says that refuge in God places a barrier between a person and Satan, and that taqwa opens a way out and gives provision from sources one does not expect. ⁶ He cites a verse that one should not look to people for the solution. ⁶ He says the Qur'an leaves nothing out, that the opening chapter is fit for seeking healing, and he calls on a person in distress to ask God. ⁷

The basis of ruqya in the speaker's account

The speaker says that ruqya is established in the Qur'an and in the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. ⁸ He recounts that Umar recited the opening chapter over a man (needs_source: the narrator and the details of the account were not recovered from the passage). ⁸ He describes visiting the sick: placing a hand on the place of pain, reciting, praying for healing, and repeating a supplication seven times (needs_source: the count of seven was not verified from the recording). ⁸ He cites verses on healing. ⁸

A caller's question about ruqya on television

A caller from Iraq asked whether it is permitted to follow a channel that broadcasts Qur'anic ruqya on television (needs_source: the speaker's answer is not recoverable from this passage). ⁹

Perspectives on ruqya

Opinions on the question

First opinion · Sunni tradition (the museum's frame) · Sunni view (not yet sourced)Main reference

The Sunni position on this question has not yet been sourced.

More opinions (2)

The speaker's view (personal opinion) viewOther opinion

The speaker holds that ruqya is established in the Qur'an and in the practice of the Prophet, that the opening chapter is fit for seeking healing, and that he teaches children protective recitations at bedtime. ⁸ ⁷ ⁴

Academic or other views (not yet sourced) viewSecondary opinion

Academic and other views have not yet been sourced.

Sources

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8942

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8943

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.8944

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:09:30 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:10:30 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:13:00 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:25:30 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:42:00 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Assabile archive of Omar Abdelkafy's lectures (audio and video) , Al Naba Al Safi, episode 1, at 00:41:30 · Listen at the archive (opens the audio at this time)

Bone (adhm): purity, use and retaliation

In the lexicon, adhm is the bone that has flesh on it, plural 'idham and 'izam. Most jurists hold that a human bone is pure, whether living or dead, of a Muslim or not; that a fish bone stays pure after death; and that the bone of a lawfully slaughtered edible animal is pure and may be used. The bone of carrion, or of a non-edible animal, is impure according to the Malikis, Shafi'is, Hanbalis and Ishaq, and cannot be purified; the Hanafis hold it pure, and 'Umar disliked oiling in ivory. On cleansing after excretion with a bone, the Shafi'is and Hanbalis forbid it; the Hanafis dislike it as forbidden but accept that it suffices; the Malikis forbid a carrion bone and allow a pure bone with disapproval. Most jurists allow retaliation for a bone only at a joint, since equality cannot be achieved elsewhere.