RIYADH: Faith healing, or “ruqyah”, is being increasingly used by some ill-intentioned so-called healers in the Kingdom as a way to exploit others, make money and become famous.
Fiqh researcher Saad Al-Sabr said some faith healers seek to exploit women and take their money. He made his remarks during a special Al-Arabiya program about ruqyah this week, which talked about what has been said about it by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, and its increasing use by some faith healers for exploitation.
Once associated with healing and spirituality, it is now becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between healers who abide by legitimate principles and those who wish to take advantage of others, the program pointed out.
In Islam, ruqyah and faith healing are considered legitimate, but these days more people are using it as a trade to steal people’s money or achieve other immoral purposes.
There are two types of ruqyah, one that follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah, called shariah (or legitimate) ruqyah, and one that brings in elements of sorcery and mysticism, and uses incense, water and some herbs.
The danger also lies in the fact that this attracts sick people who put their fate in the hands of such faith healers based on recommendations from family and friends, even if these healers are not medically qualified to provide the needed treatment.
Fiqh researcher Saad Al-Sabr said some faith healers seek to exploit women and take their money. He made his remarks during a special Al-Arabiya program about ruqyah this week, which talked about what has been said about it by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, and its increasing use by some faith healers for exploitation.
Once associated with healing and spirituality, it is now becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between healers who abide by legitimate principles and those who wish to take advantage of others, the program pointed out.
In Islam, ruqyah and faith healing are considered legitimate, but these days more people are using it as a trade to steal people’s money or achieve other immoral purposes.
There are two types of ruqyah, one that follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah, called shariah (or legitimate) ruqyah, and one that brings in elements of sorcery and mysticism, and uses incense, water and some herbs.
The danger also lies in the fact that this attracts sick people who put their fate in the hands of such faith healers based on recommendations from family and friends, even if these healers are not medically qualified to provide the needed treatment.