The surah generally used for ruqyah is Surah "al-Baqarah"; it is exceptional, driving away low spirits or the fleeing of waswas. Certain verses in particular, such as "ayat al-kursi" or the last verses of the surah, are all the more used for ruqyah.
The last three surahs of the Qur'an as well, "an-Nas", "al-Falaq" and "al-Ikhlas", or also Surah "al-Fatiha".
It is important to specify that one should strive to seek the understanding of these surahs.
The Prophet's ﷺ ruqyah, as reported
Aisha reported that every night, the Prophet ﷺ would join his hands, blow into them while reciting al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and an-Nas, then pass his hands over as much of his body as he could reach, starting with the head and face, three times (al-Bukhari 5017). During his final illness, she did the same over him with her own hand, "for its blessing" (al-Bukhari 5016). Jibril himself performed a ruqyah on the Prophet ﷺ: "In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah on you, against everything that harms you, against the evil of every soul and every envious eye; may Allah heal you, in the name of Allah I perform ruqyah on you" (Muslim 2186). And when a companion recited al-Fatiha over a tribal chief stung by a scorpion, who was healed, the Prophet ﷺ asked: "How did you know it was a ruqyah?" (al-Bukhari 5736). This is why al-Fatiha is called ar-ruqyah, the surah of ruqyah.
Surahs and verses, by use
| Use | What to recite | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of every ruqyah | Al-Fatiha; Ayat al-Kursi (2:255); the last two verses of al-Baqara (2:285-286); al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas | Hadiths above; "whoever recites the last two verses of al-Baqara at night, they will suffice him" (al-Bukhari) |
| Waswas, sadness, home | The entire surah al-Baqara, at once or over several days | "Shaytan flees the house in which al-Baqara is recited" (Muslim); this is the surah the professor places first |
| Sorcery (sihr) | Al-A'raf 117-122; Yunus 79-82; Ta-Ha 65-70 (Moses and the magicians); al-Falaq | Usage of the scholars, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Baz; al-Falaq was revealed against the sorcery done to the Prophet ﷺ |
| Evil eye ('ayn) | Al-Qalam 51-52; al-Falaq; the supplication "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm, heal, You are the Healer"; "In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah on you…" | Al-Bukhari, Muslim; see the evil eye |
| Illness, pain | The six healing verses: at-Tawba 14, Yunus 57, an-Nahl 69, al-Isra 82, ash-Shu'ara 80, Fussilat 44; hand on the pain, "Bismillah" three times then seven times "I seek refuge in Allah's power and might from the evil I am experiencing" | Muslim 2202 for the supplication; the verses: usage reported from the scholars |
| Fear, anxiety, sleep | Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping; the last three surahs into the hands; "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing can cause harm…" | Al-Bukhari 2311; Abu Dawud |
| Daily protection | The morning and evening supplications; Ayat al-Kursi after each prayer | An-Nasa'i; "nothing prevents him from entering Paradise but death" |
The professor insists: one must "seek the understanding of these surahs." A ruqyah recited while understanding that al-Fatiha is a request for guidance, that Ayat al-Kursi affirms that Allah neither slumbers nor sleeps, that the magicians were defeated by the truth, carries a different strength than mere repeated sounds.
A session on oneself
- Ablution, a quiet place, the conviction that only Allah heals.
- Al-Fatiha, seven times if desired, blowing gently on oneself or on the painful area.
- Ayat al-Kursi, then the last two verses of al-Baqara.
- The verses related to the ailment felt, from the table.
- Al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas, three times, into the hands, then the hands passed over the body.
- The Prophet's ﷺ supplications for the sick.
- One can recite over water that is then drunk or used for washing (see Qur'an-infused water), or over olive oil for massage.
- Every day, morning and evening, without tiring, "until the ailment disappears," as the professor puts it.
The conditions for it to remain legislated
The scholars set three, based on the hadith "there is no harm in ruqyah as long as it does not contain shirk" (Muslim 2200): that it be done with the words of Allah, His names and attributes, or the supplications of the Prophet ﷺ; in an understood language, preferably Arabic, or otherwise while knowing its meaning; and with the certainty that it does not act by itself but by Allah's decree. Everything else must be set aside: unknown formulas, letters and numbers, names that are not Allah's, talismans to be worn, requirements about the mother's first name or a piece of clothing. Whoever uses these is not a raqi but a sorcerer, and one stays away regardless of the ailment.
What the research has observed
- A systematic review of studies on listening to Qur'an recitation concludes there is a reduction in anxiety across various settings, before surgery, in intensive care, in dialysis patients (Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res, 2018).
This does not "prove" ruqyah, which is an act of worship and a remedy whose effect comes from Allah; it only shows that the calming effect attributed to it is measurable. For material causes, the body is also treated: ruqyah is added to the doctor's care, it does not replace it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best surah for ruqyah?
Al-Fatiha, which the Prophet ﷺ himself called a ruqyah, and the surah al-Baqara, which the professor places first against waswas and sadness. The last three surahs complete every session.
Can one perform ruqyah on oneself?
Yes, and it is the best way: the Prophet ﷺ did it into his own hands every night. One recites, blows on oneself, passes the hands over the body, with the certainty that only Allah heals.
How many times and for how long?
Morning and evening, every day, until the ailment disappears, says the professor. Al-Fatiha can be repeated seven times, the last three surahs three times; the number is not an obligation, but regularity is.
Can ruqyah be recited in French?
The Qur'an is recited in Arabic; whoever cannot read it can recite the supplications in their own language and listen to the surahs while following their meaning. Understanding what one is saying is one of the conditions recalled by the professor.
Is a raqi needed?
No, except for serious cases, and provided one knows his beliefs and method. Whoever asks for the mother's first name, a piece of clothing, or hands over writings to be worn, is a sorcerer: one stays away.
