Q: Is it lawful to recite Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al- Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas) and Al-Fatihah for the purpose of seeking healing? Did the Messenger (peace be upon him) or the Salaf (righteous predecessors) do so? Please enlighten us.

A: Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Mu‘awwidhatayn, Al-Fatihah and other Surahs is regarded as a permissible Ruqyah (recitation for healing or protection) which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) legislated by performing it himself and approving it for his Sahabah (Companions). Al-Bukhari and Muslim related in their two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith on the authority of Ma‘mar from Al-Zuhry from `Urwah that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: In his last illness, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to blow breath (into his cupped hands) and recite Al-Mu`awwidhatayn 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. (Part No. 1; Page No. 243)  Ma‘mar asked Al-Zuhry “How did he use to blow breath?” He said, “He used to blow into his hands and then pass them over his face.” Al-Bukhari related on the authority of Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him): Some of the Sahabah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came across one of the Arab tribes, but they refused to extend to them hospitality. In the meantime, the chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion), so they asked (the Sahabah), “Have you got any medicine with you or anybody who can treat with Ruqyah?” The Sahabah said, “You refused to entertain us, so we will not treat (your chief) unless you pay us for it.” They agreed on a flock of sheep, so one of them (the Sahabah) started reciting Umm Al-Qur’an (Surah Al-Fatihah), gathering his saliva and spitting it (on the snakebite). The stung man got cured and his people presented the sheep to them, but they said, “We will not take it unless we ask the Prophet (peace be upon him) [whether it is lawful to take the sheep or not].” When they asked him, he (peace be upon him) smiled and said, “How did you know that Surah Al-Fatihah is a Ruqyah? Take it (the flock of sheep) and assign a share for me.” The first Hadith indicates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did recite Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn over himself during his illness, while the second shows his approval of his Sahabah’s recitation of Al-Fatihah as Ruqyah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.