Ruqyah is the practice of reciting Qur'an, the Names and Attributes of Allah, or authentic prophetic supplications over oneself or another person — often with a light blow of breath — seeking healing or protection from Allah alone. It predates Islam as a general Arab custom of incantation, and the Prophet ﷺ was asked directly whether it was permissible.

'Awf ibn Malik reported that the companions said: 'We used to practise ruqyah in the pre-Islamic days; what is your view on it?' The Prophet ﷺ replied: 'Show me your ruqyah — there is no harm in ruqyah so long as it does not contain shirk' (Sahih Muslim 2200). This single hadith is the foundation for everything else in this guide: ruqyah itself is permissible; what matters is its content.