What is the ruling on suspending the call to Allah for the purpose of treating those afflicted by jinn, and is it permissible to stipulate taking a fee for this?
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The questioner : May the Shaykh be honored, one of our brothers sent us a question saying: We are in need of callers to Allah, and yet one of us has become occupied with treating those possessed by jinn. Is it permissible to suspend the call to Allah for this work, and what is the correct way to treat the possessed? And is it a condition to take money, or otherwise he will not treat them?
The Shaykh : Yes, the call to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is a collective obligation. If those who are sufficient perform it, it drops from the rest. If it becomes an individual obligation for a person such that no one else can take his place, then it takes precedence over reciting over one who is possessed by jinn. This is because the benefit of the call to Allah is a certain benefit, while the benefit of reciting over one possessed by jinn is not a certain benefit. How many people have been recited over and it has not benefited them in any way. So, if the call to Allah is an individual obligation for this man, and no one else can take his place in it, then it is obligatory for him to call, even if he leaves off reciting over one possessed by jinn. But if it is a collective obligation, then one looks at what is most beneficial. And if it is possible to combine the two, and it appears that it is possible to combine them, by allocating a day for this and days for that according to importance, then he achieves doing good to his brothers who were afflicted with this affliction, and the call to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So tell him that if combining the two is possible, that is better. Yes?
The questioner : What is the correct treatment?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The correct treatment?
The Shaykh : As for the correct treatment for one possessed by jinn, it varies, but the best is that the Qur'an is recited over him, such as the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ar-Rahman 55:33-36], because this is a challenge to them that they cannot escape from Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And likewise, the two chapters of protection (al-Mu'awwidhatayn) and [Al-Ikhlas 112:1] and the Verse of the Throne are recited over them. Yes, and he speaks to them with admonition, as it is mentioned regarding the Shaykh al-Islam that he used to admonish them and say to them: This is forbidden for you, and it is not permissible for you to harm the Muslims, or oppress them, or the like of that.
The questioner : Stipulating the taking of money?
The Shaykh : If he does not take money, that is better and closer to sincerity, and closer to benefit. And if he takes it without a condition, there is no harm. And if those who were recited over have left what is obligatory for the reciter, and he refuses to recite except for a reward, there is no harm, as the people of the secret (al-Sariyyah) did, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent. They descended upon a people who did not host them, so Allah the Exalted sent a scorpion upon their master, and it stung him. They asked for someone to recite over him, and they said: Perhaps these people who descended upon you can recite. They came to them, and they said: We will not recite over him except for so much and so much, a flock of sheep. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved this.
The Shaykh : Yes, the call to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is a collective obligation. If those who are sufficient perform it, it drops from the rest. If it becomes an individual obligation for a person such that no one else can take his place, then it takes precedence over reciting over one who is possessed by jinn. This is because the benefit of the call to Allah is a certain benefit, while the benefit of reciting over one possessed by jinn is not a certain benefit. How many people have been recited over and it has not benefited them in any way. So, if the call to Allah is an individual obligation for this man, and no one else can take his place in it, then it is obligatory for him to call, even if he leaves off reciting over one possessed by jinn. But if it is a collective obligation, then one looks at what is most beneficial. And if it is possible to combine the two, and it appears that it is possible to combine them, by allocating a day for this and days for that according to importance, then he achieves doing good to his brothers who were afflicted with this affliction, and the call to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So tell him that if combining the two is possible, that is better. Yes?
The questioner : What is the correct treatment?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The correct treatment?
The Shaykh : As for the correct treatment for one possessed by jinn, it varies, but the best is that the Qur'an is recited over him, such as the saying of Allah the Exalted:
(33) O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah]. (34) So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? (35) There will be sent upon you a flame of fire and smoke, and you will not defend yourselves. (36) So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالإِنسِ إِنْ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ تَنفُذُوا مِنْ أَقْطَارِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ فَانفُذُوا لا تَنفُذُونَ إِلاَّ بِسُلْطَانٍ * فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ * يُرْسَلُ عَلَيْكُمَا شُوَاظٌ مِنْ نَارٍ وَنُحَاسٌ فَلا تَنتَصِرَانِ * فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِSay, "He is Allah, [who is] One,
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدThe questioner : Stipulating the taking of money?
The Shaykh : If he does not take money, that is better and closer to sincerity, and closer to benefit. And if he takes it without a condition, there is no harm. And if those who were recited over have left what is obligatory for the reciter, and he refuses to recite except for a reward, there is no harm, as the people of the secret (al-Sariyyah) did, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent. They descended upon a people who did not host them, so Allah the Exalted sent a scorpion upon their master, and it stung him. They asked for someone to recite over him, and they said: Perhaps these people who descended upon you can recite. They came to them, and they said: We will not recite over him except for so much and so much, a flock of sheep. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved this.