Treating patients through Ruqyah

A: Treating a patient by Ruqyah (reciting Qur'an and saying authentically reported supplications over the sick seeking healing) is permissible. As for going to those mentioned to recite Ayahs and command a person to slaughter a ram or an ox, it is not permissible, because such Ruqyah entails Bid`ahs (innovations in religion) and is considered an act of fraud. It may be an act of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) in case that the slaughtered animal is devoted to the Jinn (creatures created from fire), the dead, and the like to ward off evil or bring about benefit from them. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.