Sources cited:Every verse, hadith and du'a is cited to its primary canonical source - verify any reference in one click
The heartbeat: 1:5
The Qur'an opens with seven verses. The fifth is short, and the believer says it at least seventeen times a day in the five obligatory prayers. Read it slowly:
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥Iyyaka na'budu wa-iyyaka nasta'in.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Two clauses, paired by Allah Himself. We worship You alone (إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ) and from You alone we seek help (وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ). Self-ruqyah is what happens when a believer takes the second half seriously. It is not a magical technique; it is the believer's lived statement that help comes from Allah, and that we ask Him for it directly - no intermediary, no amulet, no fee, no fortune-teller.
Begin with tawheed, not with technique
Before reciting a single verse, sit with this conviction: Allah alone creates, sustains, decrees, brings benefit, and removes harm. The magician's spell, the envier's gaze, the jinn's whisper - each one passes through the One who decreed it before it ever reaches you. Allah binds them; you ask Him.
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَٰرُوتَ وَمَٰرُوتَ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ١٠٢And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, 'We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].' And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
Hold this clause close: except by permission of Allah (مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ). The whole reason self-ruqyah works is that there is no parallel power. The magician is on a leash; Allah holds the other end. When you recite, you are speaking to the One holding the leash.
إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنٌ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلًا ٦٥Indeed, over My servants there is for you no authority. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs.
Allah's own word, to the shaytan, recorded for your certainty. The believer's heart - settled in oneness, turning to Allah - is inside an authority that the shaytan cannot routinely cross.
Surah Al-Fatihah: the Qur'an's own ruqyah
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly named Surah Al-Fatihah as ruqyah. Read this in the words of the narration:
Narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (radiy-Allahu anhu)
أَنَّ نَاسًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَتَوْا عَلَى حَىٍّ مِنْ أَحْيَاءِ الْعَرَبِ فَلَمْ يَقْرُوهُمْ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ لُدِغَ سَيِّدُ أُولَئِكَWhen the Companions returned to the Prophet with the payment they had received for reciting Surat al-Fatihah over the bitten chief, the Prophet said: 'How did you know that it is a ruqyah?' He then approved the payment and instructed them to set aside a share for him from it.
Notice the question. How did you know that it is a ruqyah? (وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ أَنَّهَا رُقْيَةٌ) The Prophet (ﷺ) is not surprised that it worked; he is confirming what they have discovered. Surah Al-Fatihah is the Qur'an's own opening, the seven verses every Muslim recites seventeen times a day, and the Prophet himself confirmed it as ruqyah.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ٢ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.
Read these seven verses each time as if they are new. Praise of Allah, His mercy, His sovereignty - and then the central covenant: iyyaka na'budu wa-iyyaka nasta'in. Then the request for guidance. This is the architecture of every du'a.
What you actually need
You DO need
- Yourself.
- The words of the Qur'an, recited from memory or read from a mushaf.
- A few minutes of quiet.
- The conviction that Allah hears.
You do NOT need
- A raqi, a healer, or a specialist.
- Amulets, taweez, written knots, or charms.
- Oils, salts, eggs, or special water.
- Money paid to any practitioner.
- To "know your sender".
Wudu is preferred but not required. Facing the qibla is preferred but not required. Sitting on a prayer mat is preferred but not required. The only non-negotiable is the heart turning to Allah.
The complete self-ruqyah session
Below is a ten-step session that takes you from beginning to end. Every word of the Arabic, its transliteration, and its translation is embedded right here on this page - you will not need to leave the screen to complete a full ruqyah. Recite slowly. There is no rush; the reward is in the presence, not the speed.
Important: this order is not the Sunnah
The ten-step chronology below is editorial, not prophetic. The Prophet ﷺ did not lay down "first do this, then this, then this" as a fixed ruqyah liturgy. The order you see here is simply how an experienced raqi tends to structure a session - tawheed first to settle the heart, then the strongest Qur'anic protection (Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, the Mu'awwidhat), then targeted verses for the specific complaint, then the prophetic du'as, then a personal du'a to Allah.
What IS Sunnah: reciting the Qur'an for ruqyah (Fatihah confirmed by the Prophet ﷺ as ruqyah, Bukhari 5736), the Mu'awwidhat with the cupped-hand routine (Bukhari 5017), the specific prophetic du'as in Step 8 with their narrated counts (3x, 7x), and turning to Allah alone for help. What is NOT Sunnah: the precise order of the ten steps, the count of "ten", or any feeling that you must complete every step in sequence to have done it "properly". You can recite Ayat al-Kursi alone for an hour and that is a complete ruqyah. You can read Fatihah seven times and stop and that is a complete ruqyah. The structure is a scaffold for those who want guidance; it is not a ritual.
Recitation counts at a glance
There is no fixed obligation - the Sunnah allows you to recite as many times as you wish. The following counts are recommendations drawn from the practice of the salaf and the experience of those who recite often. The Prophet ﷺ loved odd numbers; he said: "Allah is Witr (One) and He loves the Witr (odd numbers)" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6410).
- Surah Al-Fatihah: 7 times is recommended (this was the number the Companion recited over the tribal chief who was healed - Sahih al-Bukhari 5736). Any odd number is good: 1, 3, 5, 7.
- Ayat al-Kursi (2:255): as many times as you wish - this is the single most powerful verse against shaytan. The Prophet ﷺ said a guardian from Allah is appointed over the one who recites it. Repeat it until the heart settles.
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (112): 3 times - the Prophet ﷺ said reciting it three times equals reciting one-third of the Qur'an (Sahih al-Bukhari 5015).
- Surah Al-Falaq + Surah An-Nas (113-114): together, 3 times - or 5 or 7. Any odd number. The Prophet ﷺ said these two surahs are the best things ever asked of Allah for refuge (Sunan an-Nasa'i 5436).
- The remaining verses and du'as: as many times as your heart wishes. There is no upper limit. The longer you sit with Allah, the more peace He pours into your chest.
Settle the heart in tawheed
Before reciting one verse, sit still and say internally: La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah. Allah alone. Nothing alongside Him. The harm that troubles you - sihr, ayn, jinn, fear, illness, anxiety - all of it is inside His decree. You are not alone.
Seek refuge: a'udhu bi-Allah min ash-shaytani-r-rajim
Allah commanded this directly: "So when you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled" (Surah An-Nahl 16:98). Say:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
A'udhu bi-Allah min ash-shaytani-r-rajim. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled.
Then say bismi-Allahi-r-rahmani-r-rahim - in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah - 7 times recommended (or any odd number: 1, 3, 5, 7)
The seven verses. Every clause matters. Linger especially on the fifth - the heartbeat of every ruqyah session. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help (إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ). Recite the full surah below, then repeat it. Seven times is the prophetic recommendation; if you have only the strength for one or three, that is also a complete recitation - Allah accepts what you can offer.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ٢ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.
Recite Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) - as many times as you wish; this is the most powerful verse against shaytan
The throne verse. Allah's declaration of His oneness and total sovereignty. The Prophet (ﷺ) promised that whoever recites it at night, a guardian from Allah will remain with you, and no shaytan will come near you until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 5010). Of every verse in the Qur'an, this one carries the strongest authority against the shaytan's presence. Recite it slowly, then repeat - 3 times, 7 times, until your heart settles. There is no upper limit.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ٢٥٥Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Recite the last two ayat of Surat al-Baqarah (2:285-286), once - or more if you wish
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5009). They include the believer's admission of limitation and the appeal to Allah's mercy that closes Surat al-Baqarah. Listen to the last two words - fansurnaa 'alaa-l-qawmi-l-kaafireen (help us against the disbelieving people). The trial you carry has its parallel; the Sahabah carried it too, and these verses are how Allah taught them to ask.
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَThe Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, saying, 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.' And they say, 'We hear and we obey. Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the final destination.' Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity. It will have what it has earned, and it will bear what it has earned. 'Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.'
Recite the three Mu'awwidhat with the hand routine - Al-Ikhlas 3x, then Al-Falaq + An-Nas 3 (or 5 or 7) times
This is the practice Aishah (radiy-Allahu anha) narrates of the Prophet (ﷺ) himself (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017):
- Cup your hands at chest height, palms together facing you.
- Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, then Surah Al-Falaq, then Surah An-Nas.
- Breathe softly into your cupped hands.
- Wipe your hands over your body, starting with head and face, then the front of your body, then as far as you can reach.
- Repeat steps 2-4, three times.
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that reciting the three surahs three times each, morning and evening, will suffice you against everything (Sunan Abi Dawud 5082, Hasan). The three short surahs are right here - recite them in order, then repeat the cycle. Al-Falaq and An-Nas together are the most powerful refuge ever asked of Allah; you may repeat the pair 5 or 7 times if your heart wants more.
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ١ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ٢ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ٣ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ٤Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah is the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. Nor is there to Him any equivalent.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ ١ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ٢ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ٣ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ ٤ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ٥Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of that which He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles, and from the evil of the blowers in knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ١ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٢ إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٣ مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ ٤ ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ ٦Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer who whispers in the breasts of mankind, from among the jinn and mankind.
Recite the verses targeted to your specific need (optional)
Different trials respond to different verses. The collapsible sets below group the most-cited verses from each category in the ruqyah tradition. Expand the one that matches your situation. If you are not sure, the core session you have already completed (Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, last two ayat of Baqarah, and the Mu'awwidhat) is sufficient by itself - the Prophet ﷺ said so explicitly. The full curated set is also on the protection verses page.
If from sihr (black magic) - 4 surahs
These are the verses where Allah Himself describes magic being nullified - Musa's staff swallowing the magicians' ropes, Yunus showing Allah will undo the magicians' work, and the explicit verse that names sihr in Al-Baqarah.
وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَٰرُوتَ وَمَٰرُوتَ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ١٠٢And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, 'We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].' And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ فَوَقَعَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَبَطَلَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ فَغُلِبُوا۟ هُنَالِكَ وَٱنقَلَبُوا۟ صَٰغِرِينَ وَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَٰجِدِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَAnd We inspired Mūsā: 'Throw your staff.' And at once it swallowed up what they were falsifying. So the truth was established, and what they had done was made void. They were defeated there and overturned in disgrace. And the magicians fell down in prostration, saying: 'We have believed in the Lord of all worlds — the Lord of Mūsā and Hārūn.'
فَلَمَّآ أَلْقَوْا۟ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحْرُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُۥٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ ٨١ وَيُحِقُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٨٢When they had thrown, Musa said: 'What you have brought is magic; indeed, Allah will make it useless. Allah does not make right the work of corrupters.' And Allah will establish the truth by His words, even if the criminals dislike it.
وَأَلْقِ مَا فِى يَمِينِكَ تَلْقَفْ مَا صَنَعُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا صَنَعُوا۟ كَيْدُ سَٰحِرٍ وَلَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلسَّاحِرُ حَيْثُ أَتَىٰ ٦٩And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he comes.
If from evil eye or envy (al-'ayn / al-hasad)
Ya'qub's warning to his sons in Yusuf 67 is the prophetic precedent for caution against the eye. Al-Qalam 51-52 describes the disbelievers wishing to strike the Prophet ﷺ with their eyes - Allah protected him.
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَAnd indeed those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: 'Truly he is mad.' But it is nothing but a Reminder for all the worlds.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ ١ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ٢ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ٣ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّٰثَٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ ٤ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ٥Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of that which He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles, and from the evil of the blowers in knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ١ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٢ إِلَٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٣ مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ ٤ ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ ٦Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer who whispers in the breasts of mankind, from among the jinn and mankind.
See also Surah Yusuf 12:67 (Ya'qub's precaution against the eye) on the protection verses page.
If from waswasah (whispers of the shaytan)
An-Nisa 4:76 is Allah's verdict: the shaytan's plot is weak. Al-Isra 17:64-65 promises Allah's servants are beyond the shaytan's reach. Al-Mu'minun 23:97-98 is the Qur'an's taught du'a against shaytanic presence.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱلطَّٰغُوتِ فَقَٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ إِنَّ كَيْدَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا ٧٦Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of taghut. So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.
وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَٰدِ وَعِدْهُمْ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا ٦٤ إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنٌ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلًا ٦٥وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَٰتِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِAnd say: 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, that they may come near me.'
If addressing jinn directly (khuruj verses)
Note: addressing jinn directly is the domain of a trained raqi, not self-ruqyah. These verses are listed for completeness if a qualified person is reciting on behalf of an afflicted person. Surat al-Jinn is the chapter Allah revealed naming the jinn themselves; As-Saffat 1-10 describes the shooting stars that drive shaytan away from the heavens.
- Surah As-Saffat 37:1-10 (the angelic ranks and the shooting stars)
- Surah Al-Hijr 15:17-18 (the heavens guarded from every devil)
- Surah Al-Jinn 72:1-9 (the chapter Allah revealed naming the jinn themselves)
- Full text of each on the protection verses page.
Ayatul harq (verses on the fire) - for a trained raqi only
Important: Ayatul harq is verses about Jahannam and the burning of the disobedient - traditionally recited by a trained raqi with the explicit intention of distressing a jinn refusing to leave. Do not recite these on yourself with that intention; they belong to specialised practice. They are included here only so you can recognise them and know what they are.
- Surah Al-Anbiya 21:68-69 (Ibrahim thrown into the fire; Allah commands it to be cool)
- Surah Taha 20:97 (the calf burned and scattered into the sea)
- Surah Al-Humazah 104:4-9 (the fire of Allah that mounts to the hearts)
- Surah Al-Buruj 85:4-10 (the people of the trench, burned for their faith)
- Full text of each on the protection verses page.
Recite the prophetic du'as - the complete ruqyah kit
Below are ten prophetic du'as drawn from the canonical ruqyah collections. Each one is given with the full Arabic, a transliteration to help you say it, the meaning in your language, and the recitation count the Prophet ﷺ taught for it. You do not need to recite every du'a every session - pick what fits your situation. The morning/evening daily-shield du'as (the first three) should become a permanent habit.
A. Daily protective shield (morning & evening)
1. The perfect words of Allah (3 times in the evening)
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever says, when he reaches the evening, three times: "A'udhu bi-kalimati-llahi-t-tammati min sharri ma khalaq," nothing will harm him that night. (Sahih Muslim 2708)
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَA'udhu bi-kalimati-llahi-t-tammati min sharri ma khalaq.
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
2. The name of Allah with which nothing harms (3 times morning & evening)
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever says three times in the morning and three times in the evening: "Bismi-llahi-lladhi la yadurru ma'a-smihi shay'un fi-l-ardi wa la fi-s-sama'i wa Huwa-s-Sami'u-l-'Alim," nothing will harm him. (Sunan Abi Dawud 5088, Hasan)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُBismi-llahi-lladhi la yadurru ma'a-smihi shay'un fi-l-ardi wa la fi-s-sama'i wa Huwa-s-Sami'u-l-'Alim.
In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing in the earth or in the heaven can harm; and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
3. Allah is sufficient for me (7 times morning & evening)
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever says in the morning and the evening, "Hasbiya-llahu la ilaha illa Huwa, 'alayhi tawakkaltu, wa Huwa Rabbu-l-'arshi-l-'azim" seven times, Allah will be sufficient for him in whatever concerns him. (Sunan Abi Dawud 5081)
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ، عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِHasbiya-llahu la ilaha illa Huwa, 'alayhi tawakkaltu, wa Huwa Rabbu-l-'arshi-l-'azim.
Allah is sufficient for me - there is no god but Him. Upon Him I rely, and He is the Lord of the mighty Throne.
B. The healing du'as (for ruqyah on yourself or someone else)
4. Jibril's ruqyah for the Prophet ﷺ
Recite over yourself (saying "arqi nafsi" - I perform ruqyah on myself) or over someone you are reciting upon. Once each, or three times.
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ أَوْ عَيْنِ حَاسِدٍ، اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ، بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَBismi-llahi arqika, min kulli shay'in yu'dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw 'aynin hasidin, Allahu yashfika, bismi-llahi arqika.
In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah upon you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye - may Allah heal you. In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah upon you.
5. The Prophet's du'a for healing the sick
The Prophet ﷺ would place his right hand on the afflicted area and say this. You may do the same - place your hand on the place of pain (or your own chest if the trouble is internal or emotional) and recite. Repeat as many times as your heart needs.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًاAllahumma Rabba-n-nas, adh-hibi-l-ba'sa, ishfi Anta-sh-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uka, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama.
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm. Cure - You are the Healer. There is no cure but Your cure - a cure that leaves no illness behind.
6. For localised pain - place your hand, say bismillah 3x, then this 7x
Reported by Uthman ibn Abi al-As (radiy-Allahu anhu): the Prophet ﷺ taught him this for a pain he had in his body. Place your hand on the place of pain, say "bismillah" three times, then say seven times: "A'udhu bi-llahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir." (Sahih Muslim 2202)
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُA'udhu bi-llahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
I seek refuge in Allah and in His power from the evil of what I find and what I fear.
7. Asking Allah the Magnificent for healing (7 times for any sick person)
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever visits a sick person whose appointed time has not yet come, and says seven times in his presence, "I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the magnificent Throne, to heal you," - Allah will heal him from that illness. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2083, Sahih)
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَAs'alu-llaha-l-'Azim Rabba-l-'arshi-l-'azim an yashfiyak.
I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the magnificent Throne, to heal you.
C. Heart, tawbah, and the believer's own words
8. Sayyid al-Istighfar - the chief of asking for forgiveness
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever says it during the day, certain of it, then dies before evening - he is among the people of Paradise. And whoever says it at night, certain of it, then dies before morning - he is among the people of Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَAllahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika ma-stata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bi-ni'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bi-dhanbi fa-ghfir li, fa-innahu la yaghfiru-dh-dhunuba illa Anta.
O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your slave. I keep to Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin - so forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.
9. Make the Qur'an the spring of my heart - Ibn Mas'ud's du'a
The Prophet ﷺ taught: No one is ever afflicted by anxiety or grief and says this du'a, except that Allah will remove his anxiety and grief, and replace it with joy. (Musnad Ahmad 3712, Hasan). This is the du'a for the heart that aches with no visible cause.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّيAllahumma inni 'abduka, ibnu 'abdika, ibnu amatika, nasiyati bi-yadika, madin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya qada'uka, as'aluka bi-kulli-smin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, aw anzaltahu fi kitabika, aw 'allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, awi-sta'tharta bihi fi 'ilmi-l-ghaybi 'indaka, an taj'ala-l-Qur'ana rabi'a qalbi, wa nura sadri, wa jala'a huzni, wa dhahaba hammi.
O Allah, I am Your slave, son of Your male slave, son of Your female slave. My forelock is in Your hand. Your judgement upon me is binding, Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You that You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your book, or taught to any of Your creation, or kept hidden in the unseen with You - that You make the Qur'an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sorrow, and the dispeller of my distress.
10. Abu Bakr's morning & evening du'a - taught by the Prophet ﷺ himself
Abu Bakr (radiy-Allahu anhu) asked the Prophet ﷺ for a du'a to say morning and evening, and the Prophet ﷺ taught him this. Recite once in the morning and once in the evening; it places you under Allah's knowledge of the seen and unseen.
اللَّهُمَّ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى نَفْسِي سُوءًا أَوْ أَجُرَّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍAllahumma 'Alima-l-ghaybi wa-sh-shahadati, Fatira-s-samawati wa-l-ardi, Rabba kulli shay'in wa Malikahu, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Anta, a'udhu bika min sharri nafsi, wa min sharri-sh-shaytani wa shirkihi, wa an aqtarifa 'ala nafsi su'an aw ajurrahu ila muslim.
O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Lord and Sovereign of everything - I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my own soul, and from the evil of the shaytan and his association of partners with You, and from committing wrong against myself or bringing it upon any Muslim.
Call on Allah by His names, in your own words
Surah Al-A'raf 7:180 commands this directly: And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them (وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا).
Ya Hafiz (Preserver) - protect me. Ya Shafi (Healer) - heal me. Ya Wakil (Disposer of affairs) - I rely on You. Ya Latif (Most Subtle) - be gentle with me. Ya Karim (Most Generous) - do not turn me away empty-handed. Speak in whatever language you understand; Allah hears every language. See the Asma al-Husna page for each name with its meaning.
Close with hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakil
Recited by Ibrahim (عليه السلام) when thrown into the fire, and by the believers when threatened by armies. Allah preserved them then; the same words, the same Lord, will not fail you:
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَٰنًا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ ١٧٣Those to whom people said: 'Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.' But it merely increased them in faith, and they said: 'Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.'
Close your session. Get up calmly. Continue your day. The recitation is between you and Allah; He records every word.
Before you rise: speak to Allah in your own words
The verses you just recited are Allah's own words. Now end with your own. Sit a moment longer. Lower your eyes. Pour out your heart to Allah in whatever language you think in - English, Arabic, Urdu, Bangla, Indonesian, Hindi, anything. He understands all of them. He understands the tears before the words.
Say: O Allah, You see me. You decreed this trial. You alone can lift it. I do not know how You will answer - by removal, by relief, by patience, by reward I cannot see. I trust You. Please, my Lord, heal me. Please, my Lord, protect me. Please, my Lord, do not let me lose hope in You. Then sit in silence and listen. Allah is closer to you than your jugular vein. He has heard every word.
Never despair. Allah Himself said: "Do not despair of Allah's mercy. Truly, no one despairs of Allah's mercy except the disbelieving people" (Surah Yusuf 12:87). The trial may be heavy; it is not heavier than the One holding it. Yaqub (عليه السلام) lost his sight from weeping for Yusuf - and Allah returned him. Ayyub (عليه السلام) lost his body, his family, his wealth - and Allah restored him. You are not the first to ask, and you will not be the last. The same Lord answers still.
After-care: live the recitation
Ruqyah does not end when you close the mushaf. The believer's protection is daily, layered, and lived. A few habits that turn one session into a settled life:
- Pray the five daily prayers on time. Salah is the framework that holds every other protection together.
- Recite the morning and evening adhkar. Three Mu'awwidhat morning and evening (Sunan Abi Dawud 5082, Hasan). Ayat al-Kursi. La ilaha illa Allah 100x.
- Keep the bedtime routine. Sahih al-Bukhari 5017, 5010, 5009 together.
- Recite Surat al-Baqarah in the home periodically. The shaytan flees the house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited (Sahih Muslim 780).
- If a symptom is physical or mental, see a qualified doctor. Sahih al-Bukhari 5678: Allah did not send down a disease without sending down its treatment. The two means do not compete.
- Do not visit a magician or fortune-teller. Sahih Muslim 2230: forty nights of salah unaccepted for the visit.
- Make du'a in the night. Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night and asks who is calling upon Him so He may answer.
A simple daily routine to start tonight
Morning, after Fajr
- Ayat al-Kursi (once)
- Three Mu'awwidhat (three times each)
- Bismi-llahi-lladhi du'a (three times)
- Sayyid al-Istighfar (once)
- La ilaha illa Allah (100x)
Evening, after Asr
- Same as morning, mirrored.
- Ya Hafiz, watch over me tonight.
Before sleep
- Three Mu'awwidhat + hand routine (3x)
- Ayat al-Kursi (once)
- Last two ayat of Surat al-Baqarah
- Allahumma bi-smika amutu wa ahya
Reassurance: Allah is the best of planners (Surah Aal-Imran 3:54) and the only One who cures (Sahih al-Bukhari 5743). He sees the trial; He decreed it; He has the cure. Your job is not to remove the trial by your power; your job is to recite, to ask, and to trust. He is closer to you than your jugular vein (Qur'an 50:16). He hears the silent du'a of the heart before you finish forming the words.
Cross-links
- All verses of protection - the full curated Qur'anic set for sihr, shaytan, and waswasah.
- Asma al-Husna - the names of Allah, with meanings and how to invoke Him by them.
- Tawheed foundation - the conviction that anchors every ruqyah.
- Morning adhkar and Evening adhkar - the daily layered protection.
- Sleep protection - the prophetic bedtime routine.
?I do not read Arabic well. Can I still benefit?
?What if my reading is broken or I make mistakes?
?I feel emotional during recitation - is this normal?
?What if nothing changes after weeks of doing this?
?Can I do this for someone else - a parent, child, or spouse?
?What if I am too tired or unwell to do the whole session?
?I am scared I will not do it right. What if I miss a step?
?Will Allah really hear me?
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفْسُهُۥ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ ٱلْوَرِيدِ ١٦And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein.