Was the separation from the first Quranic school due to injustice and racism a mistake, and are the current obstacles in memorizing the Quran proof of a wrong path or a trial, and what is the ruling on memorizing and teaching the Quran for the sake of competitions, prizes, and fame, and is ruqyah from the evil eye obligatory when symptoms appear upon drinking ruqyah water?
It is not permissible to memorize the Qur’an with the intention of gaining fame or worldly benefits. Rather, one must devote their work purely to Allah the Almighty, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says: 'I am the most self-sufficient partner, most in need of no partner. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates another with Me, I will abandon him and his shirk (association).'" And he also said: "Whoever learns knowledge by which the Face of Allah the Almighty is sought, but does not learn it except to acquire a worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection."
However, this does not contradict the permissibility of participating in competitions. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, the companions of Abu Hanifa, and Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah have issued fatwas permitting competitions for memorizing the Qur’an and Hadith for a prize. This is because the Lawgiver permitted betting in archery and horse and camel races due to their role in encouraging the learning of horsemanship and preparing strength for jihad. Therefore, its permissibility in competitions and striving for knowledge is even more fitting.
As for abandoning study for fear of riya' (showing off), that is a mistake. The people of knowledge have mentioned that among the deceptions of Satan is abandoning some good deeds for fear of riya'. As Al-Fudayl ibn Iyad said: "Abandoning an action for the sake of people is riya', and acting for the sake of people is shirk. Sincerity is that Allah protects you from both."
As for the evil eye, it is real. It is prescribed to seek protection from it by regularly reciting the adhkar (remembrances) and ta'awwudhat (supplications for protection) that are authentically reported, and by protecting oneself from it by covering one's good qualities, and by ruqyah (Islamic exorcism).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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