Advice for Ruqah Practitioners in Lawful Ruqah

Question:
The Shaykh: Ruqah practitioners have become numerous in our time. What do you advise them? May you be rewarded.

Answer:
This issue has been raised repeatedly and has been the subject of extensive research. The problem is that ruqah has now become a means of earning money and calculating profits. People who do not know how to perform ruqah have entered the field, and their concern is not ruqah but rather collecting money. Some who have entered it are even of bad creed, such as sorcerers, magicians, and others. Therefore, it is obligatory for Muslims to be aware of this and to not seek ruqah except from someone whose knowledge and creed are trustworthy. The ruqah practitioner must fear Allah and not exceed the limits of lawful ruqah through innovations or fabrications in order to obtain money. Nor should he perform ruqah while being ignorant and unable to do it properly, seeking only money. All of this is something that must be avoided. He must be sincere to Allah the Exalted and Majestic in his ruqah and avoid what is wrong. He should not recite over a woman who is uncovered in the face or any part of her body, nor should he touch her with his hand. Instead, he should recite over her from behind a barrier or veil, or recite in water and have her drink it, to avoid fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Therefore, those who perform ruqah must adhere to these conditions and not make their goal the collection of money, treating ruqah as a profession and a trap for people. Rather, it is a service to Muslims. If they are given something without a prior agreement, such as some money, there is no harm in them taking it. However, it is better for them and more beneficial for their standing if they refuse it.