Written by: Saudi Fatwa Committee
There is no harm in taking payment for performing ruqyah (recitation for healing) over a sick person.
It is authentically proven in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that a group of Companions (رضي الله عنهم) visited a tribe from among the Arabs. The tribe did not host them as guests. During their stay, the chief of the tribe was stung by a poisonous creature. They tried everything but could not cure him. Finally, some members of the tribe came to the Companions and said:
"Is there anyone among you who can perform ruqyah? Our chief has been stung."
The Companions replied: "Yes, but since you did not host us, we will not perform ruqyah without payment." They agreed on a flock of sheep as payment.
One of the Companions recited Surah al-Fatihah over him, and he was cured. They were given the flock.
Some Companions said: "We will not do anything until we inform the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
When they reached Madinah and informed the Prophet ﷺ, he said: "You have done well."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2276]
Thus, there is no harm in reciting over a sick person, someone afflicted by magic, or a mentally ill person—whether by blowing on them directly or reciting over water, oil, etc.—and taking payment for it.
However, reciting directly over the patient and blowing on him is more suitable and better.
It is authentically narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud that the Prophet ﷺ performed ruqyah over water for Thabit bin Qays bin Shamas and then poured it over him.
[Weak – al-Da‘ifah, Hadith no. 1005]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"There is no harm in ruqyah so long as it contains nothing of shirk."
[Sahih Muslim, 2200/64]
This authentic hadith is general—it applies to reciting directly over the sick as well as reciting over water, oil, and similar items.
[Ibn Baz: Majmu‘ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 19/339]
Taking Payment for Reciting over the Sick
There is no harm in taking payment for performing ruqyah (recitation for healing) over a sick person.
It is authentically proven in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that a group of Companions (رضي الله عنهم) visited a tribe from among the Arabs. The tribe did not host them as guests. During their stay, the chief of the tribe was stung by a poisonous creature. They tried everything but could not cure him. Finally, some members of the tribe came to the Companions and said:
"Is there anyone among you who can perform ruqyah? Our chief has been stung."
The Companions replied: "Yes, but since you did not host us, we will not perform ruqyah without payment." They agreed on a flock of sheep as payment.
One of the Companions recited Surah al-Fatihah over him, and he was cured. They were given the flock.
Some Companions said: "We will not do anything until we inform the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
When they reached Madinah and informed the Prophet ﷺ, he said: "You have done well."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2276]
Application of the Ruling
Thus, there is no harm in reciting over a sick person, someone afflicted by magic, or a mentally ill person—whether by blowing on them directly or reciting over water, oil, etc.—and taking payment for it.
However, reciting directly over the patient and blowing on him is more suitable and better.
It is authentically narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud that the Prophet ﷺ performed ruqyah over water for Thabit bin Qays bin Shamas and then poured it over him.
[Weak – al-Da‘ifah, Hadith no. 1005]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"There is no harm in ruqyah so long as it contains nothing of shirk."
[Sahih Muslim, 2200/64]
This authentic hadith is general—it applies to reciting directly over the sick as well as reciting over water, oil, and similar items.
[Ibn Baz: Majmu‘ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 19/339]
