Rukiya

Rukiya, also spelled ruqyah, ruqya, or rukia, is a term used in Muslim communities to refer to spiritual healing practices based on the recitation of Qur’anic verses and supplications. The core idea is that certain verses, prayers, and the names of God can provide protection or remedy for illness, distress, or possession when used with faith and sincerity.

In traditional ruqyah, a practitioner or trusted family member recites verses such as Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas, along with other portions of the Qur’an and Prophetic prayers. The person receiving ruqyah may listen, recite along, or be touched while the verses are recited. In some cases water or oil may be used after the recitation, though many scholars discourage superstitious or non-Islamic elements.

Ruqyah is discussed within Islamic jurisprudence and is regarded as permissible (ruqyah shariah) when performed according to Qur’an and Sunnah, with avoidance of shirk and other un-Islamic practices. Scholarly opinions vary on who may perform ruqyah and what specific practices are valid, and some emphasize that medical treatment should be sought in parallel with spiritual healing. Historical sources indicate that Muslims have used ruqyah since early centuries, reflecting a diverse set of traditions across regions.

In addition to its religious meaning, Rukiya is also used as a personal name in various Muslim communities, with spellings including Rukiya, Ruqiya, Ruqayya, and Rukia. It is commonly a feminine given name but can appear as a surname in some regions.