Islamic Ruling on Reciting and Blowing on Water (Ruqyah Practice)
❖ Question:
What is the Islamic perspective on reciting over water and blowing into it?
❖ Answer by Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
◈ Legitimacy of Ruqyah on Water
Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh explains:
✔ Permissibility:
Reciting over water (ruqyah) and then blowing into it is permissible in Islam, provided that it follows the method transmitted from the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn (pious predecessors) and contains no element of un-Islamic belief.
◈ Evidences
① Narration from Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها:
A narration with a sound chain is found in Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah:
“أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ لا تَرَى بَأْسًا أَنْ يُعَوَّذَ فِي الْمَاءِ ثُمَّ يُصَبَّ عَلَى الْمَرِيضِ”
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Kitāb al-Ṭibb: 22895)
“She (ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها) saw no harm in performing ruqyah on water and then pouring it over the sick person.”
② Supporting Reports from Other Scholars:
Similar endorsements for this practice are found from:
- ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما
- Imām Mujāhid
- Imām ʿIkrimah رحمهما الله
◈ Types of Blowing
✿ Definitions of Blowing Methods in Ruqyah:
- نفخ (Nafkh): Light blowing.
- نَفَس (Nafas): Breathing air gently.
- نَفْث (Nafth): Blowing with slight spitting (without saliva).
✔ Ruling on Nafth:
This form of blowing (nafth) is permissible and is a legitimate method of ruqyah, as long as no un-Islamic beliefs are attached.
◈ Warning Against Incorrect Beliefs
❌ Prohibited Beliefs:
If someone holds the belief that blessing lies in the saliva of a particular person (like a saint or elder), then such a belief falls under the category of shirk (polytheism).
◈ Sharʿī Principles
✔ Follow Authentic Practices:
Only methods proven from the pious predecessors should be followed.
❌ Avoid Bidʿah and Baseless Additions:
Any extra practices or beliefs that contradict Sharīʿah must be strictly avoided.
✿ Conclusion:
✔ Reciting over water and blowing into it for healing purposes is Islamically valid, if done within the limits defined by the Sharīʿah and free from any deviant beliefs.
