Question :
I would like to ask about the lawfulness of treating patients with Quran in light of the following characteristics:
1. Reciting loudly without mumbling, humming or touching the patient in any form . 2. Not asking patient for his/her name. 3. Not asking patient for his/her date of birth. 4. Not giving patient any sort of amulet, whether it contained verses of Quran or anything else. 5. Directing patient to listen to Surat Al-Baqarah daily and throughout the treatment period. 6. Not banning patient from anything save what is forbidden?
The Answer :
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Undoubtedly, treating patients with Quran and Ruqyah*, which is established in the authentic Sunnah, is good therapy and full recovery. Allah the Almighty Says {what means}: "Say: "It is a Guide and a Healing to those who believe;" {Fussilat, 44}. In addition, Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet, during his fatal ailment used to blow (on his hands and pass them) over his body while reciting the Mu'auwidhat (Surat-an-Nas and Surat-al-Falaq). When his disease got aggravated, I used to recite them for him and blow (on his hands) and let him pass his hands over his body because of its blessing. (Ma`mar asked Ibn Shihab: How did he use to do Nafth? He said: He used to blow on his hands and then pass them over his face.) {Bukhari & Muslim}. Kindly check the interpretation of this hadith in [Fateh Al-Bari] by Ibn Hajar, (vol.12/pp.305-306).
Scholars have agreed that it is permissible to do Ruqiya when the following three conditions are met:
1. The Ruqyah is done using the words of Allah or His beautiful names and attributes or Prophetic supplications and remembrances.
2. The Ruqyah is delivered in Arabic for the one who speaks it or in any other language so long as the same meaning is preserved.
3. Believing that the Ruqyah itself has no effect; rather, it is the Power of Allah that heals, and that the Ruqyah is only one of the reasons.
During Ruqiyah, both the patient and the person doing Ruqyah must seek Allah`s help with sincerity and seeking refuge in Him.
Based on the above, it is permissible to seek treatment with the Quran in light of the characteristics mentioned in the above question. However, we recommend that a Mahram of the female patient is present during the treatment, in addition to observing decency and lowering gaze. Based on the reports indicating the virtue and blessings of Al-Baqarah, the patient should be directed to reciting this surah or listening to it since it helps protect from the evil eye and witchcraft.
Moreover, the patient should be advised not have any prohibited foods, in relation to the treatment process, and any foods that are bad for his/her health since whatever is harmful to one`s health is prohibited and warning people against it is an obligation.
Moreover, it is permissible to recite Quran and blow into water the let the patient drink it or blow into oil and let the patient anoint with it or write verses of Quran on paper and soak it into water then let the patient drink it. However, this is provided that the paper is handled respectfully and in case the patient couldn`t drink that water, he/she shouldn`t be compelled to do so. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.