Exploring Ruqya's Influence on Non-Muslims

Ruqya (also spelled ruqyah) is an Islamic prayer modality that uses verses of the Qur'an or supplications of Prophet Mohammed in order to treat oneself or another from ill health, possession, or black magic and the evil eye (al-Jawziyya, 1999; al-Suyuti, 1962; Elkadi, 1985; Fredrick, 1996; Johnstone, 1998; Rahman, 1987; Searchtruth, 2010). It can also be used as a
protection from the aforementioned conditions as well as a preventative measure for general health. The following hadith (saying or action of Prophet Mohammad as told by his companions and wives) is an example of ruqya as it was used during the time of Prophet Mohammed. Some of the companions of Prophet Mohammed passed by some people staying at a
place where there was water and one of those people had been stung by a scorpion. A man from those staying near the water came and said to the companions of the Prophet, "Is there anyone among you who can do ruqya, as near the water there is a person who has been stung by a scorpion." So one of the Prophet's companions went to him andrecited surat-al-Fatiha (the first verse of the Qur'an) for a sheep as his fees. The patient got cured and the man brought the sheep to his companions, but they disliked that and said, "You have taken wages for reciting Allah's Book." When they arrived at Medina, they said, "O Allah's Apostle! This person has taken wages for reciting Allah's Book." On that Allah's Apostle said, "You are most entitled to take wages for doing a ruqya with Allah's Book." (Searchtruth, 2010, number 633)