Imam Ibn Baz and Sheikh Salih al-Uthaymin were asked about this, and they answered that there was nothing wrong with it, since above all there is no source in the Sunnah forbidding it.
Moreover, it is not the Qur'an itself that is written into the water, but the breath of the raqi after his recitation over it.
Why this isn't disrespectful
The two sheikhs' answer comes down to two points, which the professor summarizes. First, no text forbids pouring out this water, and in matters of everyday practice, what is not forbidden is permitted. Second, the water does not contain the Qur'an: it contains the reciter's breath. The Qur'an is the word of Allah, honored when written or recited; once the recitation has been done over the water, the water remains water, with a blessing asked of Allah. That is why one may just as well drink it, wash with it, let it run down the shower drain, or pour the rest into the sink.
The reasoning changes when one has dissolved writing: some people write verses in saffron on a plate or a piece of paper, then dissolve them in water. In that case, letters of the Qur'an have been placed in the water, and out of respect, the scholars recommend not pouring it in a dirty place: it is poured onto the earth, at the foot of a tree, or in a clean spot. That is the only situation where the question arises.
What Qur'anized water is, and what it is not
| Qur'anized water | What is not | |
|---|---|---|
| How | One recites over the water, near the container, and blows gently into it at the end of the recitation | A soaked talisman, water "charged" from a distance, a recording played in front of the bottle |
| Who | Yourself, a parent, any Muslim of sound belief; the best ruqyah is the one you do for yourself | Someone who asks for the mother's first name, an item of clothing, or hands over writings to carry |
| With what | The Qur'an and the supplications reported from the Prophet ﷺ, in Arabic or understanding the meaning | Unknown formulas, names that are not Allah's names, numbers |
| The conviction | The water is a means; healing comes from Allah alone | Believing that the water acts on its own |
The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is no harm in performing ruqyah as long as it does not contain shirk" (Muslim). Qur'anized water falls within this framework, as a support for ruqyah. The companions would blow on the sick after reciting; blowing into the water the sick person will drink is an extension of this.
Preparing Qur'anized water, step by step
- Clean water, preferably spring water or Zamzam water, in a clean, closed container.
- Ablutions, and presence of the heart: one does not recite while looking at one's phone.
- The recitation, in an audible voice, near the water: al-Fatiha, Ayat al-Kursi (2:255), the last two verses of al-Baqara, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas. Depending on the ailment, one adds the ruqyah verses (for example 10:81-82, 20:69, 7:117-122 against sorcery) and the supplication "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal, You are the One who heals."
- The breath: at the end, one blows gently, with a little saliva, into the water.
- Use: drink three sips in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening; pour some over the head and body while washing, or into bathwater; one may crush seven sidr leaves into it, following the practice reported from the scholars against sorcery.
- Storage: keep cool, closed, for a few days; it is better to make a fresh batch than to store liters of it.
Contraindications and precautions
Qur'anized water does not replace any treatment: someone with a medical diagnosis continues their treatment and adds ruqyah to it; they do not substitute one for the other. It is not something one buys: ruqyah is performed, it is not sold in bottles. And one should not worry about leftover water poured into the sink; when this scruple becomes obsessive, it is itself a waswas to be turned away from.
Frequently asked questions
Can Qur'anized water be poured into the toilet?
Yes, according to Ibn Baz and al-'Uthaymin: it does not contain the Qur'an, only the breath after the recitation, and no text forbids it. Out of delicacy, many prefer the sink or the shower, but it is not an obligation.
What about water in which saffron writing has been dissolved?
In that case, letters of the Qur'an are in the water: it is poured onto the earth, at the foot of a plant, or in a clean place, not in a dirty spot. It is a matter of respect for the Book, not a rule about the water itself.
Can one wash with Qur'anized water?
Yes, this is one of its main uses, alone or with crushed sidr leaves. The water that then flows down the shower drain poses no problem at all.
How long does it keep?
A few days in the refrigerator, closed. Its blessing does not expire, but the water itself can go bad: it is better to prepare it often, in small amounts.
Can I prepare it myself, or do I need a raqi?
You can, and it is even preferable: the best ruqyah is the one you perform for yourself or your loved ones, with the Qur'an and the reported supplications, and the conviction that only Allah heals.
