Authored by: Saudi Fatwa Committee
There is no harm in taking compensation for performing ruqyah (spiritual healing) on the sick. This ruling is based on an authentic incident recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
A group of Sahabah (Companions) once visited an Arab tribe who refused to host them. During their stay, the tribal chief was bitten by a poisonous creature. The tribe tried various treatments but failed. They then approached the Sahabah and asked if anyone among them could perform ruqyah.
One of the Sahabah agreed, saying:
"You did not host us, so we will not perform ruqyah without compensation."
They agreed on a flock of sheep as payment. The Sahabi then recited Surah al-Fatihah over the patient, who was cured instantly, and the sheep were given to the Sahabah.
Some companions hesitated to accept the payment until they had consulted the Prophet ﷺ. When they returned to Madina and informed him, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“You did the right thing.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2276]
Hence, performing ruqyah for the sick, possessed, or mentally ill, whether through blowing after recitation or reciting over water or oil, and receiving payment for it is permissible.
The better and more preferred method is to recite directly over the patient and blow upon them.
It is also authentically narrated in Sunan Abī Dāwūd that the Prophet ﷺ performed ruqyah for Thābit ibn Qays ibn Shamās over water and then poured it over him.
[Note: This narration is considered weak – al-Ḍaʿīfah, Hadith No. 1005]
Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no harm in ruqyah as long as it does not contain anything of shirk.”
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2200/64]
This authentic hadith covers all forms of ruqyah, including reciting over the sick, or over water, oil, etc.
[Ibn Bāz, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt: 19/339]
❖ Receiving Compensation for Performing Ruqyah on the Sick
There is no harm in taking compensation for performing ruqyah (spiritual healing) on the sick. This ruling is based on an authentic incident recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
A group of Sahabah (Companions) once visited an Arab tribe who refused to host them. During their stay, the tribal chief was bitten by a poisonous creature. The tribe tried various treatments but failed. They then approached the Sahabah and asked if anyone among them could perform ruqyah.
One of the Sahabah agreed, saying:
"You did not host us, so we will not perform ruqyah without compensation."
They agreed on a flock of sheep as payment. The Sahabi then recited Surah al-Fatihah over the patient, who was cured instantly, and the sheep were given to the Sahabah.
Some companions hesitated to accept the payment until they had consulted the Prophet ﷺ. When they returned to Madina and informed him, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“You did the right thing.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2276]
Hence, performing ruqyah for the sick, possessed, or mentally ill, whether through blowing after recitation or reciting over water or oil, and receiving payment for it is permissible.
The better and more preferred method is to recite directly over the patient and blow upon them.
It is also authentically narrated in Sunan Abī Dāwūd that the Prophet ﷺ performed ruqyah for Thābit ibn Qays ibn Shamās over water and then poured it over him.
[Note: This narration is considered weak – al-Ḍaʿīfah, Hadith No. 1005]
Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no harm in ruqyah as long as it does not contain anything of shirk.”
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2200/64]
This authentic hadith covers all forms of ruqyah, including reciting over the sick, or over water, oil, etc.
[Ibn Bāz, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt: 19/339]
