Ruqyah is a form of Prophetic Medicine that is done for a general purpose as well as to protect one from evil. This article will look at the meaning of the unseen, who are the jinn and the angels, symptoms of how one know if they possessed by the jinn or black magic and how to perform ruqyah.
Al Ghayb (The unseen)
The Unseen (Al-Ghayb). What does it mean? Can we know the unseen? Or is this something sacred and kept to Allah (The Most High)?
Al-Ghayb is defined as something that cannot be visualised. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy upon him) said in Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah that there are two types. Ghayb Al-Mutlaq (Unseen in the Absolute sense), where knowledge is hidden from all of the creation in the heavens and on the earth but is known to Allah (The Most High) alone. The other type of unseen is the one who is ignorant of it; it is unknown to all people but is not unique to Allah (The Most High).
Little do we know of the Unseen, as this is something Allah (The Most High) has kept for Himself. We do not know what will happen in the next hour, the following day, week, month, and year. We can have intentions to do something or go somewhere, but whether this intention will turn into action, will not occur without the permission of Allah (The Most High). When we plan on doing a course, marrying someone, buying a house or going on holiday, are we fully confident that this will occur? Everything is destined, and this is why it is important to always make Dua (Supplication) to Allah, the Almighty, to grant what is best for us and protect us from all forms of evil such as evil eye.
In the Qur’an we are constantly reminded of this very fact; Allah the All mighty, is All knowing and All seeing.
“But perhaps [that] you dislike a thing and it (is) good for you; and perhaps [that] you love a thing and it (is) bad for you. And Allah knows while you (do) not know.”
[Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:216]
“And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record”
[Quran, Surah Al-An’am: The Cattle, 6:59]
Islamic rulings on fortune-tellers:
It is in human nature to be curious of our future and some people go above and beyond in getting a so called glimpse of it. However, in Islam, this is not allowed. A hadith narrated by by Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
‘Some people asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about fortune-tellers, and he said: “They are nothing.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, they say something and it comes true. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a word of truth which the jinn snatches and cackles into the ear of his familiar like the cackling of a hen, and they mix more than one hundred lies with it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 7561]
So the question is how can they manipulate and steal this word?
Our Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
‘…when our Lord, may His name be blessed and exalted, decrees some matter, the bearers of the Throne glorify Him, then the people of heaven who are closest to them glorify Him, until the tasbeeh reaches the people of the lowest heaven. Then those who are nearest to the bearers of the Throne say: What did your Lord say? And they tell them what He said. And the people of heaven ask one another for the news, until the news reaches the lowest heaven. Then the eavesdropping jinn snatch what they can and convey it to their familiars. What they narrated as they heard it is true, but they add lies to it.”
[Sahih al-Muslim, 2229].
This implies that the Jinn do not have knowledge of the unseen, rather they overhear it from the angels. However , even the Angels do not have knowledge of the unseen.
“(He Alone is) the All‑Knower of the Ghayb (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghayb (Unseen)”
[Quran, Surah Al-Jinn: The Jinn, 72:26]
Angels and Jinn
In Islam, Muslims believe that Jinn and Angels exist and are amongst the creation of Allah (The Most High). However, we are unable to see them despite their interactions with human beings. Our sources of evidence that declare their existence are in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Believing in the existence of Angels is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam; Allah (The Most High), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, The Last Day and predestination both good and bad comes from Allah (The Most High).
They were created before mankind but we do not know precisely when. They are made from light, have wings and come in various sizes.
Their purpose in life is to follow the commands of Allah (The Most High) and do not deviate nor stop worshipping Him. They are free of sin.
“Who disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.”
[Quran, Surah Al-Tahrim: The Banning, 66:6]
The phrase ‘Jinn’ derives from the word ‘Janna’ which is defined as, to conceal and they were created from fire.
"Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire,"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Hijr: The Stoneland, 15:26-27]
In many respects, they have many similarities with human beings. They live on earth, were created to worship Allah (The Most High), have free will, eat, drink, marry, have children, die and are accounted on the Day of Judgement whereby they will either go to Jannah (Paradise) or Hell (Jahannam).
"I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Dhariyat: The Winds that Scatter, 51:56]
They are found in bathrooms, dumps, animal yards and other locations that are filled with impurity.
"Cover your utensils and tie your water skins, and close your doors and keep your children close to you at night, as the Jinns spread out at such time and snatch things away. When you go to bed, put out your lights, for the mischief-doer (i.e. the rat) may drag away the wick of the candle and burn the dwellers of the house." Ata said, "The devils" (instead of the Jinns) [Sahih Bukhari,4:533]
This is why we recite the dua before entering the toilet:
“O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.” [Sahih Al-Muslim, 375]
Majority of them are disbelievers and are called Shayateen (devils) and form part of the army of Iblis.
"Indeed he (Iblis) and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them,"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-A’raf: The Heights, 7:27]
Jinns who are Muslims have been revealed at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and are attracted to the Quranic recitation:
“Say (O' Muhammed): It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; 'Indeed we have heard a marvellous Qur'an. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our lord,'"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Jinn: The Jinn, 72:1-2]
How can I know if I am possess by the Jinn?
Individuals who have had experiences in being possessed by the Jinns have mentioned the following symptoms/signs:
1) Dislike to hear the Quran nor the Adhaan (Call for prayer).
2) Losing consciousness when Quran is being recited.
3) Frequent nightmares.
4) Being anti-social. In other words, the tendency to avoid people.
5) The Jinn speaks when Quran is being recited.
6) Madness “Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom Satan by his touch hath driven to [epileptic] madness…"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:275]
How can I know if I am affected by Black Magic?
Normally magic is referred to a deception by presenting something to an audience that is untrue. However, Black magic is when one seeks the aid of Shayateen (Devils) to perform something bad against somebody. The symptoms that one who is being affected by black magic is:
1) Disliking one’s spouse.
2) Loss of appetite
3) Unable to have sexual intercourse with one’s spouse
4) Change in behaviour with unknown reasons
5) Frequent miscarriages.
6) Sudden obedience for someone
7) Sudden love for someone
8) Imagining one has done something but never have done.
9) Different attitude within the house than outside the house. They miss the family when away but when at home it alters to hatred.
Please note that these symptoms are not solely if one is possessed by a Jinn or affected by black magic. Other causes for such symptoms include psychological or physiological reasons.
Forms of Ruqyah:
It is important to note that trials that consist of illnesses, arguments and problems, are natural and should not be assumed it is due to black magic. If one is suffering from anxiety or depression, one should first reflect on their lives and increase their connection with Allah (The Most High) via Dhikr (His Remembrance) and Dua (Supplication). One needs to be conscious in what they are saying and calling upon Allah (The Most High) sincerely.
1. Initiate with Bismillah (In the name of Allah) as Allah (The Most High) is the One who can cure everything.
A synonym for Ruqyah is "ta'with" and "ta'withah", from which obtains the “Mu'awwidhatan" (the two protecting ones) for the last two Surahs only:
Al Ghayb (The unseen)
The Unseen (Al-Ghayb). What does it mean? Can we know the unseen? Or is this something sacred and kept to Allah (The Most High)?
Al-Ghayb is defined as something that cannot be visualised. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy upon him) said in Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah that there are two types. Ghayb Al-Mutlaq (Unseen in the Absolute sense), where knowledge is hidden from all of the creation in the heavens and on the earth but is known to Allah (The Most High) alone. The other type of unseen is the one who is ignorant of it; it is unknown to all people but is not unique to Allah (The Most High).
Little do we know of the Unseen, as this is something Allah (The Most High) has kept for Himself. We do not know what will happen in the next hour, the following day, week, month, and year. We can have intentions to do something or go somewhere, but whether this intention will turn into action, will not occur without the permission of Allah (The Most High). When we plan on doing a course, marrying someone, buying a house or going on holiday, are we fully confident that this will occur? Everything is destined, and this is why it is important to always make Dua (Supplication) to Allah, the Almighty, to grant what is best for us and protect us from all forms of evil such as evil eye.
In the Qur’an we are constantly reminded of this very fact; Allah the All mighty, is All knowing and All seeing.
“But perhaps [that] you dislike a thing and it (is) good for you; and perhaps [that] you love a thing and it (is) bad for you. And Allah knows while you (do) not know.”
[Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:216]
“And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record”
[Quran, Surah Al-An’am: The Cattle, 6:59]
Islamic rulings on fortune-tellers:
It is in human nature to be curious of our future and some people go above and beyond in getting a so called glimpse of it. However, in Islam, this is not allowed. A hadith narrated by by Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
‘Some people asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about fortune-tellers, and he said: “They are nothing.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, they say something and it comes true. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a word of truth which the jinn snatches and cackles into the ear of his familiar like the cackling of a hen, and they mix more than one hundred lies with it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 7561]
So the question is how can they manipulate and steal this word?
Our Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
‘…when our Lord, may His name be blessed and exalted, decrees some matter, the bearers of the Throne glorify Him, then the people of heaven who are closest to them glorify Him, until the tasbeeh reaches the people of the lowest heaven. Then those who are nearest to the bearers of the Throne say: What did your Lord say? And they tell them what He said. And the people of heaven ask one another for the news, until the news reaches the lowest heaven. Then the eavesdropping jinn snatch what they can and convey it to their familiars. What they narrated as they heard it is true, but they add lies to it.”
[Sahih al-Muslim, 2229].
This implies that the Jinn do not have knowledge of the unseen, rather they overhear it from the angels. However , even the Angels do not have knowledge of the unseen.
“(He Alone is) the All‑Knower of the Ghayb (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghayb (Unseen)”
[Quran, Surah Al-Jinn: The Jinn, 72:26]
Angels and Jinn
In Islam, Muslims believe that Jinn and Angels exist and are amongst the creation of Allah (The Most High). However, we are unable to see them despite their interactions with human beings. Our sources of evidence that declare their existence are in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Believing in the existence of Angels is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam; Allah (The Most High), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, The Last Day and predestination both good and bad comes from Allah (The Most High).
They were created before mankind but we do not know precisely when. They are made from light, have wings and come in various sizes.
Their purpose in life is to follow the commands of Allah (The Most High) and do not deviate nor stop worshipping Him. They are free of sin.
“Who disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.”
[Quran, Surah Al-Tahrim: The Banning, 66:6]
The phrase ‘Jinn’ derives from the word ‘Janna’ which is defined as, to conceal and they were created from fire.
"Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire,"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Hijr: The Stoneland, 15:26-27]
In many respects, they have many similarities with human beings. They live on earth, were created to worship Allah (The Most High), have free will, eat, drink, marry, have children, die and are accounted on the Day of Judgement whereby they will either go to Jannah (Paradise) or Hell (Jahannam).
"I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Dhariyat: The Winds that Scatter, 51:56]
They are found in bathrooms, dumps, animal yards and other locations that are filled with impurity.
"Cover your utensils and tie your water skins, and close your doors and keep your children close to you at night, as the Jinns spread out at such time and snatch things away. When you go to bed, put out your lights, for the mischief-doer (i.e. the rat) may drag away the wick of the candle and burn the dwellers of the house." Ata said, "The devils" (instead of the Jinns) [Sahih Bukhari,4:533]
This is why we recite the dua before entering the toilet:
“O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.” [Sahih Al-Muslim, 375]
Majority of them are disbelievers and are called Shayateen (devils) and form part of the army of Iblis.
"Indeed he (Iblis) and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them,"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-A’raf: The Heights, 7:27]
Jinns who are Muslims have been revealed at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and are attracted to the Quranic recitation:
“Say (O' Muhammed): It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; 'Indeed we have heard a marvellous Qur'an. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our lord,'"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Jinn: The Jinn, 72:1-2]
How can I know if I am possess by the Jinn?
Individuals who have had experiences in being possessed by the Jinns have mentioned the following symptoms/signs:
1) Dislike to hear the Quran nor the Adhaan (Call for prayer).
2) Losing consciousness when Quran is being recited.
3) Frequent nightmares.
4) Being anti-social. In other words, the tendency to avoid people.
5) The Jinn speaks when Quran is being recited.
6) Madness “Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom Satan by his touch hath driven to [epileptic] madness…"
[Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:275]
How can I know if I am affected by Black Magic?
Normally magic is referred to a deception by presenting something to an audience that is untrue. However, Black magic is when one seeks the aid of Shayateen (Devils) to perform something bad against somebody. The symptoms that one who is being affected by black magic is:
1) Disliking one’s spouse.
2) Loss of appetite
3) Unable to have sexual intercourse with one’s spouse
4) Change in behaviour with unknown reasons
5) Frequent miscarriages.
6) Sudden obedience for someone
7) Sudden love for someone
8) Imagining one has done something but never have done.
9) Different attitude within the house than outside the house. They miss the family when away but when at home it alters to hatred.
Please note that these symptoms are not solely if one is possessed by a Jinn or affected by black magic. Other causes for such symptoms include psychological or physiological reasons.
Forms of Ruqyah:
It is important to note that trials that consist of illnesses, arguments and problems, are natural and should not be assumed it is due to black magic. If one is suffering from anxiety or depression, one should first reflect on their lives and increase their connection with Allah (The Most High) via Dhikr (His Remembrance) and Dua (Supplication). One needs to be conscious in what they are saying and calling upon Allah (The Most High) sincerely.
1. Initiate with Bismillah (In the name of Allah) as Allah (The Most High) is the One who can cure everything.
A synonym for Ruqyah is "ta'with" and "ta'withah", from which obtains the “Mu'awwidhatan" (the two protecting ones) for the last two Surahs only:
- Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) 113,
- Surah Al-Naas (The people) 114.
- Surah Ikhlas (The Sincerity) 115
- Al-fatihah (The Opening)
- and Ayatul Kursi (2:255)
- This is the permissible Ruqya which our Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved and performed onto himself and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
- On the authority of Ma‘mar from Al-Zuhry from ‘Urwah that ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them all) said:
In his last illness, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to blow breath (into his cupped hands) and recite Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surah Al-Falaq and Al-Nas) and then wipe over his body. But when his illness aggravated, I used to recite them over him and pass his own hand over his body for its blessing. Ma‘mar asked Al-Zuhry “How did he use to blow breath?” He said, “He used blow into his hands and then pass them over his face.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another ahadith it has been narrated by Ibn Al-Qayyim that “the effectiveness of these surahs is great to repel magic, evil eye, and the rest of the evils and the need for a slave to seek Allah’s protection from these two surahs is greater than his need for self, eating, driking, and wearing dress” [Al-Fawwaid, 2/426]
Before going to Sleep:
1) Recite Ayatul kursi. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever recites Ayatul kursi at night, a protector (angel) from Allah continually safeguards him and Shaytaan will not come near him until morning." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
2) Read the last two verses of Surah Baqarah (The Cow) for protection from Shaytan and misfortunes. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"Whoever recites the last two verses of Soorah Al Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him." [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhii, Abu Dawood, Nasai, Ibn Majah]
After Salah:
1) Read Surah Ikhlas (Sincerity), Falaq (Daybreak) and Nas (People) after every Fardh Salah. Read it thrice after Fajr and Maghrib Salah.
Make Dua (Supplication):
1) Read the following du’a:
“A'oodu bikalimatil'lahit tam'maati min shari ma khalaq”
Translation: “I seek refuge in all the Perfect Words Of Allah from the mischief of His Creations.” [Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
2) Read the following du'a at the beginning of the day and night:
“Bismil'laahil lazi laa yadhur'ru ma'a ismihi shay'un fil ardhi walaa fis samaa'i wahuwas samee'ul 'aleem”
Translation: “In the Name of Allah with Whose Name nothing can cause harm in the earth and the heaven. And He is All Hearing, All Knowing.” [Sahih Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Hakim]
3) “Allaahuma rabban naas, azhibil ba's, ishfi antas shaafi, laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uk, shifaa’an laa yughaadiru suqman”
Translation: “0 Allah 0 the Lord Of the people! Remove the pain. Grant cure, You are the Curer. There is no cure except Your Cure. Grant such a cure that leaves no sickness.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, ibn Majah]
4) Bismillaahi arqeeka, min kulli shay'in yu'zeeka, wa min sharri kulli nafsin aw 'aynin haasidin, allaahu yashfeeka, bismillaahi arqeeka.
Translation: “In The Name of Allah I make blow upon you from everything which harms you and from the evil of every person or jealous eye. May Allah grant you cure. In The Name of Allah I make blow on you.” [Sahih Al-Muslim, Ibn Majah].
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