Going to people who say strange words over the patient
Q: Your Eminence, there is a person in
Indonesia
who treats people who are sick. One of the trustworthy people went to see him and told me what he saw. He told me that the man asks the person who is ill to lie on a bed. He then puts his hand on them and holds the area that is painful and recites over them. He then puts adhesive tape over the area and asks the person who is ill to come back after two or three days. On the second appointment, he holds the area that hurts and recites in Arabic: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful. I seek refuge with Allah from the heat of the Fire and the evil of every agitated vein. O Allah, the Ever-Kind! Treat us with Your Subtle Kindness." He repeats this and then recites in an unknown language and presses (the part that hurts) and removes the pain. It is as if it is before a surgical operation, but the person only feels the pain for a few moments after it. It is as if he makes a cut with a sharp instrument. He then puts the adhesive tape on it and asks the person who is ill to remove it after three or four days, telling them during this time that they should refrain from eating meat or fat. After that, a good result, by the Will of Allah, will be clearly seen. (Part No. 1; Page No. 250) The man does not charge a specific fee and says about himself that he cures through the Qur’an. He is a lieutenant-colonel in the army and he is in charge of an orphanage and is also a Khatib (preacher) in a Masjid (mosque). The man who went to him for treatment told me that he saw him smoke and shake hands with non-Mahram women (not a spouse or unmarriageable relatives). Once a boy came to him when I was there, who had excess skin on his upper lip, about 3 cm of loose black skin. The man told me to watch. He first mentioned Allah’s Name, removed it with his hand in a second, and when the blood poured out, he placed adhesive tape on it. It is said that many people visit him to be cured of illnesses such as epilepsy, cancer, and problems with their eyesight. Some members of my family want to travel to see this man for treatment, but they are worried. Please give us a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on the ruling regarding going to this man for treatment. May Allah reward you with the best!
A:
It is not permissible to go to this person, because his ‘Aqidah (creed) is unknown, and he
recites unknown words over the patients as Ruqyah (supplications recited over the sick seeking healing); also because of what is mentioned about his laxity in Din (religion), as he smokes and shakes hands with non-Mahram women.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.