Knowledge & Devotion · Virtues of the Quran

Quranic Healing and Virtues

Explore Islamic rulings on Quran's role in healing and its recitation etiquette.

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1. What is the ruling on using Quran and du‘a as ruqyah for healing while avoiding invented fixed rituals?

  • Prescribed Quranic ruqyah and authentic du‘as are allowed, but invented fixed rituals without evidence should be avoided. (correct answer)
  • Quranic ruqyah is not prescribed at all.
  • Any fixed number, name, fast, and water ritual is automatically Sunnah.
  • A person must use only physical medicine and never make du‘a.

Why

Quranic ruqyah and authentic du‘as are prescribed means of seeking healing. It is permissible to call upon Allah by His beautiful names in a way that fits the request, and the Prophet ﷺ used ruqyah with words such as asking Allah, the Healer, to remove harm and grant healing. But specifying an invented ritual, such as fasting a fixed number of days, repeating a particular name a fixed number of times, blowing on water, and claiming that it brings a child, requires evidence. Without evidence, that specific practice is not prescribed.

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2. What is the ruling on touching the Mushaf and then touching someone’s head to seek healing without reciting ruqyah?

  • It has no known basis and is more likely to be bid‘ah. (correct answer)
  • It is a proven Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
  • It is better than reciting Quran as ruqyah.
  • It is required before any ruqyah can work.

Why

The Quran is healing, and the Prophet ﷺ used Quranic recitation as ruqyah. It is also permissible to place the hand on the site of pain while making prescribed du‘a or ruqyah, within proper limits of ‘awrah and mahram rules. But merely touching the Mushaf and then touching the head or sick person, without reciting anything or performing prescribed ruqyah, has no known basis and is more likely to fall under bid‘ah. Healing should be sought through the ways prescribed in the texts.

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3. What is the correct approach to reciting Quran for healing?

  • Recite Quran and prescribed du‘as while avoiding fixed numbers not established in Shari‘ah. (correct answer)
  • Gather and repeat Soorat al-Ikhlas exactly 10,000 times as a prescribed ritual.
  • Seek healing from the Quran while believing healing is independent of Allah.
  • Avoid all Quranic ruqyah because healing can only be medical.

Why

The Quran contains healing for mankind, and certain verses and surahs are known for healing and protection by Allah’s leave, such as al-Fatihah, al-Mi‘wadhatayn, Ayat al-Kursiy, and Soorat al-Ikhlas. A person may recite and repeat verses as needed, such as three or seven times, without insisting on a specific number that has no evidence. Gathering to recite Soorat al-Ikhlas exactly 10,000 times for a sick person is not prescribed, so one should be content with what is narrated in the Sunnah.

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4. How should a Muslim view spiritual remedies and physical medicines?

  • Spiritual remedies prescribed in Islam may be very effective when faith is strong, and they may be combined with permissible physical treatment. (correct answer)
  • Physical medicine is always haram.
  • Ruqyah has no effect under any circumstance.
  • A Muslim must choose only one type of treatment and reject the other.

Why

Spiritual remedies prescribed in Islam, such as Quranic ruqyah, dhikr, and authentic du‘as, may have a strong effect, especially when faith is strong and the heart accepts them. The source also warns against two extremes: denying the effect of Quranic recitation altogether and being deceived by fraudulent reciters. There is no contradiction between using permissible physical medicines prescribed by doctors and using spiritual remedies such as ruqyah and seeking refuge with Allah; both may be combined.

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5. What should a Muslim do when encountering claims about special virtues of specific surahs?

  • Verify them through reliable, evidence-based sources before accepting them. (correct answer)
  • Accept every claim as long as it encourages Quran recitation.
  • Believe that any three surahs together can guarantee Jannat al-Firdaws.
  • Spread the claim first and check it later.

Why

Claims about special virtues of particular surahs must be based on sound evidence. The source warns against websites and reports that falsely attribute virtues to the Prophet ﷺ, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه, Ja‘far as-Saadiq, or others. It specifically rejects the claim that reciting Soorat ar-Rahman, Soorat al-Waqi‘ah, and Soorat al-Hadeed together guarantees Jannat al-Firdaws. A Muslim should seek reliable sources and not speak about Allah or His Messenger ﷺ without knowledge.

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6. When reciting Quran, what may a Muslim do upon reaching a verse about Allah’s mercy?

  • Ask Allah for mercy. (correct answer)
  • Invent a fixed supplication for every verse.
  • Stop reciting permanently.
  • Ignore the meaning completely.

Why

The Prophet ﷺ would interact with the meanings of the Quran during recitation: when he reached a verse about mercy, he asked for mercy; when he reached a verse about punishment, he sought refuge with Allah; and when he reached a verse glorifying Allah, he glorified Him. This is part of reflection and pondering. However, a person should not overburden himself by inventing a specific supplication for every verse, because that may interrupt the flow of recitation and distract from attentive listening.

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7. What is permissible regarding giving extra attention to a favorite surah of the Quran?

  • Reciting, listening to, and studying it more, as long as the rest of the Quran is not neglected and no unproven virtue is claimed. (correct answer)
  • Believing it has a special reward without evidence.
  • Avoiding all other surahs because one surah feels more moving.
  • Singling it out for a fixed time or need without any proof.

Why

There is nothing wrong with giving extra attention to a surah because it moves the heart, brings reflection, or helps a person understand its meanings. This may include reciting it often, listening to it, studying its rulings, and reflecting on its warnings and exhortations. But this should not lead to neglecting the rest of the Quran, and one should not claim a special spiritual virtue or fixed reward for a surah unless that is proven by revelation.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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