What is the validity of the warning against taking ruqyah as a profession, and the interpretation of the statements of Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad regarding those who claim to treat the insane with the Qur'an or communicate with jinn?

It is not known that the people of knowledge (scholars) ever forbade or condemned ruqyah (definition) (Islamic exorcism/healing). Rather, evidence has been established for its permissibility and the lawfulness of taking a fee for it. The words of Imam Ahmad - may Allah have mercy on him - in condemning ruqyah are to be interpreted as referring to the ruling on using jinn and dealing with them, or to polytheistic ruqyah, or to the practice of soothsaying. Indeed, Imam Ahmad used to perform ruqyah and write amulets for the sick.

Similarly, the words of Imam Malik - may Allah have mercy on him - are to be interpreted as referring to those who claim the ability to kill the devil that possesses the sick person, or those who claim knowledge of the unseen, similar to the actions of soothsayers. For epilepsy (possession) is an illness that afflicts a patient due to the whispers of the devil, and it is treated by a physician, not by someone who claims to kill the devil.