Q: On the authority of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, (Illegal) Ruqyah (saying some words over the sick seeking healing), amulets, and love charms are Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah). It is also narrated on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, My maternal uncle used to treat the sting of a scorpion with Ruqyah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) later forbade the use of Ruqyah (for treatment). My uncle then went to him and said, "O Messenger of Allah, you forbade to practice Ruqyah, whereas I employ it for curing the sting of scorpions." The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Whoever amongst you is able to benefit his brother should do so." How can we reconcile between the Hadith denoting permissibility and the other denoting impermissibility of Ruqyah? What is the ruling on wearing an amulet which contains Ayahs (verses) of the Qur'an? A question submitted by `A.S.F. from Riyadh.
A: The prohibited Ruqyahs are those which contain Shirk, Tawassul (supplicating) to anything beside Allah, or using spells. If the Ruqyah is free from these things, it will be permissible and will greatly help for recovery. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, There is no harm in the Ruqyah which does not contain Shirk. and "Whoever amongst you is able to benefit his brother should do so." (Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) book of Hadith).The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, Ruqyah is greatly recommended for treating the evil eye and a scorpion sting. The meaning of this Hadith is that it is more worthy to practice Ruqyah when afflicted with those two things. The Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Ruqyah over himself and over other people.
However, it is not permissible for patients or children to wear amulets. These prohibited Ruqyahs are called amulets, Hirz (protective amulet), or Jawami`. All these kinds of amulets are prohibited and are considered a form of Shirk. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, If anyone wears an amulet, Allah will not fulfill it (i.e. what they want) for them, and if anyone wears a cowrie shell, Allah will not protect them. , Whoever wears an amulet commits an act of Shirk. and (Illegal) Ruqyah, amulets, and love charms are (types of) Shirk.
First: the general meaning of the previously mentioned Hadith as they include all amulets whether they contain verses of the Qur'an or not. Second: Blocking the means that lead to Shirk. If the amulets that contain verses from the Qur'an are permitted, they would be mixed with others and this would lead to using other amulets. It is known that blocking the means leading to sins and Shirk is one of the great rules of Shari`ah.
May Allah grant us success!