What Is Self Ruqya?
Self Ruqya means performing Ruqya upon yourself by reciting Qur'anic verses and authentic supplications and seeking Allah's healing, protection and mercy. It is a practice a person can perform for themselves without needing another person to recite over them.
The person performing Ruqya should understand that the Qur'an and Du'a are means of seeking healing, while healing itself comes from Allah. Self Ruqya should therefore be accompanied by sincere Tawakkul, patience, repentance, Du'a and obedience to Allah.
Ruqya is permissible when it is free from Shirk and contains nothing contrary to Islam.
"There is no harm in Ruqya as long as there is no Shirk in it."
Principles of Self Ruqya
Before beginning, it is important to understand that Self Ruqya is not dependent upon a particular person, object or ritual. The believer seeks help from Allah alone and uses Qur'an and authentic Du'as as the means.
There are practices that are directly established in the Sunnah, while scholars and experienced Ruqya practitioners may recommend additional preparation and methods. These recommendations can be beneficial, but they should not automatically be described as conditions without which Ruqya is invalid.
The aim is therefore not to make Ruqya unnecessarily complicated. A person should learn the authentic method, practise it consistently and maintain their reliance upon Allah.
Step-by-step summary
Consistency is important. Make Self Ruqya part of your regular routine, alongside your five daily prayers, morning and evening Adhkar, Qur'an recitation and Du'a. You may choose convenient times, such as after Fajr or Maghrib, to help establish a consistent routine.
This practice strengthens your connection with Allah and provides a means of seeking His help, healing and protection. If you require further guidance or support with your Ruqya, you can contact us to discuss your situation.
Ruqya should never be viewed as having independent power. Allah alone controls benefit, harm and healing.
Prepare for Ruqya
Beginning in a state of Wudhu (ablution) and perform two voluntary Rak'ahs, followed by sincere Du'a and seeking Allah's help.
Suitable Environment
Choose a clean, quiet place where you can recite without unnecessary interruption. A peaceful environment can help you concentrate on the Qur'an and Du'a.
Recite Qur'an Verses
Recite passages including Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and the three Quls (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas). Repeat each verse three to seven times.
Make Du'a
Include authentic Prophetic supplications such as "Allahumma Rabban-nas" and "A'udhu bi-kalimatillahit-tammati", asking Allah sincerely for healing, protection and relief.
Blow & Wipe
After reciting, blow gently into your cupped hands and wipe over your body. You may also follow scholarly recommendations to recite over water or oil for subsequent use.
Preparing for Self Ruqya
Make Wudhu
Beginning in a state of Wudhu is a good form of preparation for worship and recitation. It helps a person approach the session with cleanliness and focus.
Perform Two Rak'ahs
Some scholars and Ruqya practitioners recommend beginning with two voluntary Rak'ahs, followed by sincere Du'a and seeking Allah's help. This is a beneficial act of worship and a means of preparing oneself spiritually, but it should be understood as recommended preparation rather than a specific condition for Ruqya.
It is reported on the authority of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (RA), that he said:
"Whoever performs Wudu’ like this and then performs two Rak’ah without allowing his thoughts to be distracted, all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Al-Bukhari, no. 160 and Muslim, no. 276
Choose a Clean and Quiet Space
Choose a clean and quiet place where you can recite without unnecessary interruption. A calm environment can make it easier to concentrate on the Qur'an and Du'a.
It is also appropriate to observe general Islamic manners in the place where you worship, including avoiding distractions and anything inappropriate. Facing the Qiblah may be preferred as part of good etiquette, but it is not a condition for performing Ruqya.
Make a Sincere Intention
Make your intention sincerely for Allah. You may intend to seek His healing, protection, guidance and relief from whatever difficulty you are experiencing.
Seek Forgiveness and Turn to Allah
Use the opportunity to make Istighfar, repent from sins and increase your obedience to Allah. Repentance and seeking forgiveness are important acts of worship in their own right and help a person strengthen their relationship with Allah.
Qur'anic Verses and Du'as for Self Ruqya
The Qur'an is a source of healing and mercy for believers, and reciting Qur'an as Ruqya is established in the Sunnah. The following passages and supplications can form the foundation of a Self Ruqya routine.
Surah Al-Fatihah
Surah Al-Fatihah has a clear and authentic precedent as Ruqya. A Companion recited it over a man who had been stung by a scorpion, reciting it seven times. The man recovered, and the Prophet PBUH approved what had been done.
"How did you know that it was a Ruqya?"
Ayat al-Kursi
Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255, is among the important Qur'anic verses for protection. It is particularly established in the Sunnah as a recitation before sleeping. It may therefore be included within a person's wider programme of Qur'an and protection.
The Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
The final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah are established in the Sunnah as a night-time recitation.
"Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him."
Surah Al-Baqarah
Reciting Surah Al-Baqarah is part of the wider practice of maintaining Qur'an in the home. The Prophet PBUH taught that Shaytan flees from a house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.
Surah Al-Baqarah holds special significance. Reciting it daily, or focusing on key passages such as 2:1-5, 2:102, and 2:285-286, offers protection and relief.
Surah Yunus 10:81
Surah Yunus 10:81 contains the statement that Allah will render magic ineffective. It is therefore commonly included by Ruqya practitioners when reciting Qur'anic passages relating to magic.
The Three Quls
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas are among the most important recitations for personal protection. Their recitation three times in the morning and evening is authentically established.
"Recite Al-Ikhlas and the two Mu'awwidhat three times at dawn and dusk; they will suffice you in all respects."
Du'a for Healing
The Prophet PBUH taught a number of supplications for healing. One of them is:
"O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and heal. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing."
Du'a for Protection
Among the authentic morning and evening supplications is:
"In the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."
Seeking Refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah
Another authentic supplication for protection is:
"I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, every poisonous creature and every evil eye."
How to Perform Self Ruqya
The following provides a practical method of performing Self Ruqya. It brings together the established Sunnah practices with recommendations commonly taught by scholars and experienced Ruqya practitioners.
Step 1: Begin with Bismillah and Seek Refuge in Allah
Begin by saying Bismillah and seeking refuge in Allah from Shaytan. Renew your intention and remind yourself that you are seeking healing and protection from Allah alone.
Step 2: Recite the Qur'an
Begin your recitation with Surah Al-Fatihah and then continue with the Qur'anic passages you have chosen for your Ruqya. You may include Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, the Three Quls and other relevant Qur'anic passages.
Recite aloud in a clear and calm voice. There is no need to shout or strain your voice. Concentrate on the words and their meanings and place your trust in Allah.
Step 3: Repeat the Recitations
There is no single number that must be applied to every verse. However, repetition is part of Ruqya and there are authentic examples of particular repetitions.
For example, Al-Fatihah was recited seven times in the authentic account of the scorpion sting. The Three Quls are also established as three repetitions in the morning and evening.
Some recognised scholars and Ruqya practitioners recommend repeating selected Qur'anic passages several times, including seven times, as part of a Ruqya programme. Such recommendations can be followed as a practical treatment programme, but they should not be presented as a requirement for every Qur'anic verse or Du'a.
Step 4: Place Your Hand Over the Area of Discomfort
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in a particular area, you may place your hand over that area while reciting and making Du'a for healing. This should be done while relying upon Allah and not upon the hand, recitation or any particular technique itself.
Step 5: Blow Gently Into Your Hands
After reciting, you may blow gently into your cupped hands. This is part of the established practice of the Prophet PBUH, who would recite the Mu'awwidhat, blow into his hands and then wipe over his body.
Step 6: Wipe Over Your Body
After blowing gently into your hands, wipe over the parts of your body that you are able to reach. This is particularly established with the Mu'awwidhat and was part of the Prophet's ﷺ practice when he was unwell.
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill, he recited the Mu'awwidhat over himself and blew over his body."
Step 7: Reciting Over Water or Oil
Some scholars and Ruqya practitioners also teach reciting Qur'an and Du'a over water or oil for subsequent use. This is not necessary for performing Self Ruqya, and the simplest established method is to recite directly over yourself, blow gently and wipe over your body.
If you choose to use water or oil as part of your Ruqya routine, it should be regarded as a permissible means used by some practitioners rather than a required element of the Sunnah method.
Repetition and Consistency
Consistency is an important part of a person's spiritual routine. Rather than treating Ruqya as a single session that must produce an immediate result, continue turning to Allah through Qur'an, Du'a, Salah, Dhikr and other acts of worship.
There is no universally prescribed number of minutes, days or months for Self Ruqya. Some people may choose to perform a structured session each day, while others may divide their recitations throughout the day.
Morning and evening Adhkar can form an important part of this routine. The Three Quls and other established supplications should be maintained according to their authentic timings and repetitions.
Where a Shaykh or qualified Ruqya practitioner provides a structured programme involving repeated recitations, that programme can be followed without assuming that every element represents a universally prescribed Sunnah requirement.
"And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him."
A Daily Self Ruqya Routine
A person wishing to establish a regular Self Ruqya routine can combine their recitation with the wider practices of Islam.
- Maintain the five daily prayers and seek Allah's help through Salah and Du'a.
- Perform morning and evening Adhkar, including the established recitations and supplications.
- Recite Qur'an regularly, including the passages used for protection and Ruqya.
- Perform Self Ruqya consistently according to your circumstances and the guidance you have received.
- Make Istighfar and sincere Du'a and ask Allah for healing, protection, guidance and steadfastness.
- Maintain patience and Tawakkul and do not become dependent upon a particular person, object or technique.
Some practitioners recommend performing a structured Ruqya session after Fajr or Maghrib. These can be convenient times to establish a routine, particularly alongside the morning and evening Adhkar, but general Self Ruqya is not restricted to these times.
Likewise, listening to a recording of Qur'an can be beneficial as part of one's relationship with the Qur'an, but it should not be presented as identical to personally reciting Ruqya upon oneself.
When to Seek Further Support
Self Ruqya is an important practice, but a person does not have to choose between spiritual support and appropriate medical or psychological care. Persistent or significant symptoms should not automatically be attributed to a spiritual cause.
If you experience symptoms such as persistent physical pain, seizures, loss of consciousness, severe depression, hallucinations, delusions or other significant changes in your physical or mental wellbeing, seek appropriate professional assessment.
Where appropriate, medical treatment and Self Ruqya can be undertaken alongside one another. Seeking medical or psychological help does not contradict Tawakkul or reliance upon Allah.
Further Ruqya Support
If you have been performing Self Ruqya and would like further guidance, our team provides Ruqya support in Cardiff and Newport, as well as remotely.
Our approach is based upon the Qur'an and Sunnah, with an emphasis on Tawheed, Tawakkul and authentic Ruqya practices.
Contact us if you would like to discuss further support.
Need Further Ruqya Support?
Self Ruqya is encouraged, with further support available when needed.
Self Ruqya FAQs
Answers to common questions about performing Ruqya on yourself.
Yes. Self Ruqya is a valid and established practice. The Prophet PBUH would recite the Mu'awwidhat over himself, blow and wipe over his body when he was unwell.
There is no single number that applies to every Qur'anic verse. However, specific repetitions are established in the Sunnah. Al-Fatihah was recited seven times in an authentic Ruqya narration, while the Three Quls are recited three times in the morning and evening.
Some scholars and Ruqya practitioners also recommend repeating selected passages several times, including seven times, as part of a structured Ruqya programme.
Wudhu is a good preparation for worship and recitation, and many practitioners recommend beginning Ruqya in a state of Wudhu. However, it should not be presented as a condition without which Self Ruqya cannot be performed.
Facing the Qiblah can be part of good Islamic etiquette and may be recommended by some practitioners, but there is no need to treat it as a condition of performing Ruqya.
Reciting over water or oil is a practice used by some scholars and Ruqya practitioners. It is not necessary for Self Ruqya, and the simplest established method is to recite directly over yourself, blow gently and wipe over your body.
Ruqya is a form of worship and a means of seeking healing and protection from Allah. However, physical and psychological symptoms can have many possible causes. A person should not assume that a symptom has a spiritual cause without appropriate assessment.
If symptoms are persistent, severe or concerning, seek appropriate medical or psychological assessment. You can also seek further Ruqya guidance if you would like help developing or maintaining a Self Ruqya routine.
Medical or psychological treatment and Self Ruqya can be undertaken alongside one another where appropriate.