Back to search

What is the ruling on seeking help from a a raqi (exorcist/healer) who uses incomprehensible methods, claims to have helpers (jinn), asks for the mother's name, and interrogates to find out the cause of the illness? And is it true that bathing with water on which Quran has been recited and drinking it alone is not sufficient for healing? And what is the correct, Sharia-compliant method for treating magic or possession?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

It is recommended to seek help through prayer, supplication, repentance, avoiding sins, and being content with Allah's decree. The Qur'an is a cure for illnesses, and treatment with it is achieved by reciting it and pondering its meanings, or by reciting it directly over the patient or over water for drinking and anointing.

Beware of charlatans who recite some Qur'an but add incomprehensible incantations, ask for the mother's name and personal belongings of the afflicted, contact jinn, and offer them sacrifices. All of this is charlatanism and contrary to the Sunnah.

One must avoid the man who asks for the mother's name and claims to know the illness and converse with the jinn, as these are signs of charlatanism. For lawful ruqyah, please refer to Fatwa no. 32150. The books "Fortress of the Muslim" and "Fath al-Haqq al-Mubeen fi Ilaj al-Sar wal-Sihr wal-Ayn" are also recommended. It is permissible to take payment for lawful ruqyah, but not for unlawful ruqyah.

And Allah knows best.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy