Major Illnesses Require Major Interventions – What Ruqyah Patients Need to Know

While working on the translation of a forthcoming book, Sihr in Pictures by Shaykh Khalid al-Hibshi, I came across a case of a young girl afflicted with sihr (sorcery), perpetrated by a maraddah (a powerful jinn-devil). Her condition was severe, and as part of her treatment, she would recite Surah al-Baqarah seven times a day. By Allah’s grace, she was eventually cured.

Reading this reminded me of an important principle—a truth we all know deep down: major illnesses require major interventions.

For example, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, the treatment is usually NOT light or casual. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries—these are tough, often painful interventions.

But why are they necessary? Because cancer is an aggressive illness. If you try to fight it with mild painkillers or vitamins alone, it will win. You have to meet its intensity with a stronger, targeted counterforce.

Cancer patients undergo harsh protocols not because doctors wish to overwhelm them, but because a mild approach would fail against such a deadly illness. The patient must endure the hardship in order to reach healing.

Similarly, serious cases of sihr, jinn possession, or evil eye may require intensive treatment: repeated and prolonged daily recitations, focused thematic verses, consistent application of ruqyah-infused remedies—possibly even multiple times a day. A light effort—listening to a ruqyah audio once a week or reading a few verses now and then—may not suffice.

6 Principles to Make Intensive Ruqyah Easier

Let’s use the example of the young girl’s treatment plan, including reciting Surah al-Baqarah seven times a day (this same advice applies to any intensive treatment plan you might be following).

1. Divide and Conquer

Start by breaking the surah into manageable portions spread over a few days. As you become more familiar with its passages, you'll find it easier to recite larger portions in a single sitting, often much quicker than before. You can even incorporate it in your nafl or tahajjud prayers—reciting by directly looking at the mushaf if needed.

2. Involve Your Environment

Play the surah in your home daily. Saturate your time and space with it. Over time, you become increasingly familiar with the wording, rhythm, and pronunciation. This makes active recitation easier, especially for longer surahs like al-Baqarah. What once felt long or difficult to recite will start to flow more naturally from your tongue.

3. Do Not Neglect Thematic Verses (Target the Enemy with Precision Verses)

Use verses that are specifically related to your condition—verses that directly impact the type of affliction you’re facing. For example, verses addressing sihr for those suffering from sihr, verses for evil eye if that’s the issue, and so on. Ask your Raqi to guide you on which targeted verses are most relevant to your specific situation. Repeat them again and again. After each recitation, blow into your hands and wipe over yourself or the affected area. Do this consistently, especially during your free time, for maximum impact.

4. Make a Ruqyah Schedule

For instance, choose specific times daily:

• After Fajr: Adhkar + partial reading of Surah al-Baqarah

• Midday: Listening of Surah al-Baqarah

• Before Maghrib: Adhkar + partial reading of Surah al-Baqarah

• Before Sleep: General & Thematic Verses

Structuring your day like this transforms your routine into a targeted, healing-focused programme.

5. Healing Lies Just Beyond the Exhaustion

Experiencing exhaustion or intense fatigue while reciting is often a sign that you've touched the root of the illness. Resist the urge to stop—push beyond the exhaustion for a further 10-15 minutes—keep reciting, continue blowing and wiping, facilitating the remedy to work directly on the illness. The Prophet said, “There is a treatment for every illness, and when the treatment strikes the illness it is cured by Allah’s permission.” Let the remedy properly match the illness — in dosage, frequency, method(s), timing(s), location(s), readiness and receptivity of the patient. Align all the factors of healing!

6. Don’t Go It Alone

If you’re struggling, talk to an upright raqi, or a supportive friend. Healing doesn’t have to be lonely.

It’s important to conclude by saying that all of these steps are meant to complement, not replace, foundational aspects of healing, such as du'a, tawakkul, abstaining from sinful practices, and targeted intention.