By: Shaykh Shafiq ur-Rahman Farrukh حفظه الله
This comprehensive guide outlines the authentic methods of self-Ruqyah (spiritual healing) based on Qur'an and Sunnah. These practices, steeped in Prophetic traditions, have been detailed through Sahih Ahadith and scholarly consensus.
Each night, the Prophet ﷺ would cup his hands, blow into them, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas, then wipe as much of his body as possible, starting with his head, face, and front of the body. He would do this three times.
Source: Bukhari 5017
❀ "Whenever a member of the Prophet’s ﷺ family would fall ill, he would recite Al-Mu'awwidhat (last three Surahs) and blow upon them."
Source: Muslim 1292
Also, when afflicted himself, the Prophet ﷺ would recite and blow over himself.
Sources: Bukhari 5016, Muslim 1292
If possible, use Zamzam water, as the Prophet ﷺ said:❀ "It is blessed, a meal and a healing."
Sources: Muslim 2473, Sahih al-Targhib 1161
He used to store it, pour it over the sick, and give it to them.
Source: Sahihah 883
Imam Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله confirmed miraculous healings using Zamzam.
Source: Zad al-Ma’ad 4/1393
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it; it comes from a blessed tree."
Source: Sahih Tirmidhi 1851
The Prophet ﷺ instructed:"Place your hand where you feel pain, say 'Bismillah' three times, then recite:
(أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَ أُحَاذِرُ) seven times."
Source: Muslim 2202
Source: Muslim
❀ أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ... أَنْ يُشْفِيَكَ
Sources: Abu Dawood 3109, Ahmad 2139
❀ اللهم ربّ الناس... شفاءً لا يُغادر سقمًا
Sources: Bukhari, Muslim
بِسمِ اللهِ، تُرْبَةُ أرْضِنَا...
Sources: Bukhari 5742, Muslim 2194
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله: This is applying moistened finger to dust and placing it on the wound.
Source: Muslim 2194
Source: Fath al-Bari 10/210
❀ "اللهم رب الناس... شفاءً لا يغادر سقماً"
Sources: Bukhari 5675, Muslim 2191
Gabriel عليه السلام performed Ruqyah on the Prophet ﷺ without blowing.
Source: Muslim 2186
✔ Clear, comprehensible Arabic
✔ No attribution of healing to Ruqyah itself; it's merely a means, not the healer
Forbidden Forms of Ruqyah
✖ Using unknown language or incantations
✖ Invoking Jinn or other than Allah
✖ Relying on soothsayers, magicians, or superstitious practices
✖ Asking Jinn for help or claiming knowledge of the unseen
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
❝Whoever visits a soothsayer and believes him has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.❞
Source: Ibn Majah 639
This comprehensive guide outlines the authentic methods of self-Ruqyah (spiritual healing) based on Qur'an and Sunnah. These practices, steeped in Prophetic traditions, have been detailed through Sahih Ahadith and scholarly consensus.
◈ ① Blow into Palms and Rub Over the Body
Narrated by Aishah رضي الله عنها:Each night, the Prophet ﷺ would cup his hands, blow into them, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas, then wipe as much of his body as possible, starting with his head, face, and front of the body. He would do this three times.
Source: Bukhari 5017
◈ ② Ruqyah on Affected Area with Right Hand
The Prophet ﷺ would place his right hand on the area of pain and recite:❀ "Whenever a member of the Prophet’s ﷺ family would fall ill, he would recite Al-Mu'awwidhat (last three Surahs) and blow upon them."
Source: Muslim 1292
Also, when afflicted himself, the Prophet ﷺ would recite and blow over himself.
Sources: Bukhari 5016, Muslim 1292
◈ ③ Blowing on Water: Drinking & Bathing
Recite Quranic verses and authentic duas over water, drink from it, and pour it over the body. This is Sunnah-based, such as in the case of Thabit ibn Qays رضي الله عنه.If possible, use Zamzam water, as the Prophet ﷺ said:❀ "It is blessed, a meal and a healing."
Sources: Muslim 2473, Sahih al-Targhib 1161
He used to store it, pour it over the sick, and give it to them.
Source: Sahihah 883
Imam Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله confirmed miraculous healings using Zamzam.
Source: Zad al-Ma’ad 4/1393
◈ ④ Ruqyah on Olive Oil & Massage
Recite over olive oil and massage the body with it.❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it; it comes from a blessed tree."
Source: Sahih Tirmidhi 1851
◈ ⑤ Dua While Placing Hand on Pain
Narrated by Uthman ibn Abi al-As رضي الله عنه:The Prophet ﷺ instructed:"Place your hand where you feel pain, say 'Bismillah' three times, then recite:
(أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَ أُحَاذِرُ) seven times."
Source: Muslim 2202
◈ ⑥ Prescribed Duas for Ruqyah
Recite the following:❀ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ... اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَSource: Muslim
❀ أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ... أَنْ يُشْفِيَكَ
Sources: Abu Dawood 3109, Ahmad 2139
❀ اللهم ربّ الناس... شفاءً لا يُغادر سقمًا
Sources: Bukhari, Muslim
◈ ⑦ Spittle Mixed with Earth
Use light spittle, mix with soil, and apply on the affected area while reciting:بِسمِ اللهِ، تُرْبَةُ أرْضِنَا...
Sources: Bukhari 5742, Muslim 2194
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله: This is applying moistened finger to dust and placing it on the wound.
Source: Muslim 2194
◈ ⑧ Blowing Before, During, and After Recitation
The Prophet ﷺ would blow:- Before reciting (Bukhari 5017)
- During recitation (Bukhari 5748)
- After recitation as in the case of the madman cured by Surah Fatiha.
Source: Fath al-Bari 10/210
◈ ⑨ Ruqyah Without Blowing Is Also Valid
The Prophet ﷺ would also recite without blowing, such as:❀ "اللهم رب الناس... شفاءً لا يغادر سقماً"
Sources: Bukhari 5675, Muslim 2191
Gabriel عليه السلام performed Ruqyah on the Prophet ﷺ without blowing.
Source: Muslim 2186
◈ ⑩ Conditions for Valid Ruqyah
✔ Must contain Allah’s names or Quran✔ Clear, comprehensible Arabic
✔ No attribution of healing to Ruqyah itself; it's merely a means, not the healer
Forbidden Forms of Ruqyah✖ Using unknown language or incantations
✖ Invoking Jinn or other than Allah
✖ Relying on soothsayers, magicians, or superstitious practices
✖ Asking Jinn for help or claiming knowledge of the unseen
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
❝Whoever visits a soothsayer and believes him has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.❞
Source: Ibn Majah 639
◈ Additional Practical Guidelines & Misconceptions Addressed
The article continues with detailed 60+ rulings and clarifications about:- Reciting over water, oil, and items
- Gender interaction rules during Ruqyah
- Superstitions (e.g. wolf skins, buried food, using Zilzal for death)
- Clarifications about what constitutes innovation in Ruqyah
- Prohibitions like charging for Ruqyah, selling "Ruqyah water," etc.
