al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah min al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah

al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah min al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah (Legitimate Incantation from the Book and the Sunnah) is a concise treatise by the Saudi theologian and hadith scholar Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Nasir al-Faqihi (d. 1446 AH / 2024 CE) outlining the principles of authentic Islamic incantation (ruqyah) and critiquing modern commercial healing practices al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.

Background and Purpose

Al-Faqihi composed the treatise in response to the modern emergence of commercial clinics established specifically for ruqyah, accompanied by widespread advertising regarding jinn possession and people traveling long distances to seek out specific practitioners al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1. He noted that earlier generations of Muslims never set up dedicated clinics or devoted themselves exclusively to the trade of healing for hire; rather, afflicted individuals simply approached local mosque imams, judges, or Quran memorizers in their own locales al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1. The author intended the work to protect Muslim creed ('aqidah) from superstition and psychological dependency, demonstrating that legitimate healing is accessible to any believer through the Quran and authentic Prophetic supplications without the need for specialized commercial centers al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.

Sources and Method

The work relies primarily on authentic narrations from Sahih al-Bukhari, particularly chapters from its Kitab al-Tibb (Book of Medicine) and Kitab al-Marda (Book of the Sick), supplemented by commentaries from Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani's Fath al-Bari and the theological insights of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1. Al-Faqihi outlines two fundamental conditions required for ruqyah to be effective, as articulated by classical authorities:

1. Sincerity of intention and firm conviction on the part of the patient that healing comes from God's word al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.
2. Piety, righteousness, and complete reliance upon God (tawakkul) on the part of the person administering the incantation al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.

Contents and Key Themes

The treatise is organized around a series of counsels (wasaya) and thematic discussions:

• Possession by Jinn: Al-Faqihi affirms the orthodox Sunni doctrine that jinn possession of humans is real, citing the Quranic verse الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ("Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity") and hadith reports, noting that only rationalist innovators such as the Mu'tazilah and certain secular physicians deny it al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1. However, he maintains that actual possession is rare and that the vast majority of visitors to contemporary clinics suffer merely from psychological distress, hysteria, or unfounded anxieties exacerbated by sensationalist claims al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.
• Prescribed Texts of Ruqyah: The author details the legitimate textual components of incantation, emphasizing Surah al-Fatihah, the Mu'awwidhat (Surahs al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and al-Nas), and transmitted Prophetic prayers—such as اللهم رب الناس، مذهب الباس، اشف أنت الشافي لا شافي إلا أنت، شفاء لا يغادر سقما ("O Allah, Lord of mankind, Remover of afflictions, heal, for You are the Healer...") and dry spitting (nafh) over oneself or the afflicted al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.
• The Evil Eye and Stings: The book examines the reality of the evil eye (al-'ayn) and venomous stings (al-humah), explaining the prescribed treatment for the evil eye when the person who caused it is identified, including the ritual washing (ightisal) documented in the hadith of Sahl ibn Hunayf and 'Amir ibn Rabi'ah al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1.
• Critique of Commercial Clinics: Al-Faqihi argues against permitting commercial ruqyah centers, pointing out that vendor stalls around these clinics sell oils and promote large water tankers claimed to carry Zamzam water charged with recited blessings, thereby profiting from vulnerable people al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi…+1. He concludes by recommending that religious authorities, such as the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, direct mosque imams to educate the public in Friday sermons that ruqyah is an easy, non-commercial practice that every righteous Muslim can perform locally al-Ruqyah al-Shariyyah mi….