Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
From the apparent wording of this hadith, it is established that those who will enter Paradise without reckoning do not seek ruqyah (spiritual healing by incantation) in case of illness, because they believe that health and well-being are in the control of Allah Almighty, and that nothing can benefit without the will of Allah Almighty. Therefore, they place their trust in Him and do not adopt these apparent means.

However, this understanding contradicts the part of the hadith which states: “They place their trust and reliance upon Allah Almighty in every matter.” So, if abandoning apparent means is itself called tawakkul (trust in Allah), then what is the need for eating, drinking, and earning? It is Allah alone who grants satiety and quenches thirst. What is the need to go out armed against the enemy? It is Allah alone who grants victory over the enemy. What is the need for the propagation and dissemination of the religion, and for preaching and inviting others? It is Allah alone who spreads and makes the religion prevail. Similarly, what is the need to ask others to supplicate? It is Allah alone who grants rank.

Therefore, the correct meaning of the hadith is that they do not adopt non-shari’ (unlawful) means and methods, as in the era of ignorance (jahiliyyah) people used to perform all kinds of ruqyah, or they would take bad omens. Rather, they only adopt those means and methods which Allah Almighty has commanded or permitted, and even after adopting these permissible means, their trust and reliance is upon Allah Almighty—that these apparent means will only be effective if Allah Almighty wills.

The effect and influence in the means is in the control of Allah Almighty; if He wills, He creates effectiveness in them and results are produced from them, and if He wills, He removes their effectiveness and they fail.