“There was an old woman who used to
enter upon us and perform Ruqyah from erysipelas: Contagious disease
which causes fever and leaves a red coloration of the skin. We had a
bed with long legs, and when ‘Abdullah entered he would clear his
throat and make noise. He entered one day and when she heard his
voice she veiled herself from him. He came and sat beside me, and
touched me, and he found a sting. He said: ‘What is this?’ I
said: ‘An amulet against erysipelas.’ He pulled it, broke it and
threw it away, and said: ‘The family of ‘Abdullah has no need of
polytheism.’ I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Ruqyah
(i.e., which consist of the names of idols and devils etc.), amulets
and Tiwalah (charms) are polytheism.’”
“I said: ‘I went out one day and so-and-so looked at me, and my eye began to water on the side nearest him. When I recited Ruqyah for it, it stopped, but if I did not recite Ruqyah it watered again.’ He said: ‘That is Satan, if you obey him he leaves you alone but if you disobey him he pokes you with his finger in your eye. But if you do what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do, that will be better for you and more effective in healing. Sprinkle water in your eye and say: Adhhibil-bas Rabban-nas, washfi Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shafi’uka, shafi’an la yughadiru saqaman (Take away the pain, O Lord of mankind, and grant healing, for You are the Healer, and there is no healing but Your healing that leaves no trace of sickness).’”
Narrated by It was
narrated that Zainab said:
Context
In this hadith, Zainab recounts an incident involving an old woman who performed Ruqyah, a form of spiritual healing, for a skin disease. When Abdullah entered, the woman veiled herself, and upon discovering an amulet, he discarded it, emphasizing that the family of Abdullah does not need polytheism. He cites the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) warning against practices like amulets, which are considered forms of shirk (associating partners with Allah). This highlights the importance of relying solely on Allah for healing.
Modern Application
In today's context, this hadith encourages individuals to seek spiritual healing through prayer and faith rather than relying on superstitions or charms. It emphasizes the importance of trusting in Allah's power to heal and protect, which can be a source of comfort in times of illness or distress.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
And put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs [you will take] to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."
Insert your hand into the opening of your garment; it will come out white, without disease. And draw in your arm close to you [as prevention] from fear, for those are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his establishment. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.