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What is meant by "those who do not perform ruqyah" in the hadith, "those who will enter Paradise without reckoning from among them," mentioned in Sahih Muslim?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Al-Nawawi said that the commendation for abandoning ruqyah (incantations/exorcism) mentioned in the hadith refers to ruqyah that involves the words of disbelievers, or unknown ruqyah, or that which is not in Arabic. As for ruqyah using the Qur'an and adhkar (remembrances of Allah), it is permissible and a Sunnah. Some scholars have held that abandoning ruqyah is better for those who wish to enter Paradise without reckoning, but performing it is still permissible. Scholars have unanimously agreed on the permissibility of ruqyah with Qur'anic verses and adhkar. Al-Mazari was of the opinion that all ruqyah is permissible if it is from the Book of Allah or His remembrance, but he forbade it if it was in a foreign language or contained unknown meanings. Scholars have differed regarding ruqyah performed by People of the Book; Abu Bakr al-Siddiq permitted it, while Malik disliked it. It has been reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Present your ruqyah to me; there is no harm in ruqyah as long as there is no shirk in it." Scholars have clarified that the prohibition of ruqyah was initially in place but was later abrogated, or that the prohibition pertained to unknown ruqyah, or that the prohibition was for people who believed in its inherent benefit and effect by its very nature.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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