QUESTION:
There is an Arab custom (which some people I know practise). They burn alum rocks (possibly known as Rock of Alumbre) whilst reciting Surah Fatiha, they say it is to remove the evil eye, and the rocks actually inflate if Surah Fatiha was read (and they do not inflate if there is no recitation). I wanted to known whether this is a correct practice which is in accordance to the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat or whether it is something which is incorrect and taken from culture.
ANSWER:
This practice falls under the category of archaic medicine; using the means which Allah the Most High has placed on earth for the use of humankind, whilst at the same time reciting the Qur’an which has been revealed as a source of mercy and a cure.
Allah the Most High says, ‘We reveal from the Quran that which is a cure and mercy’
[Surah 17 Verse 82]
An example of this is what Hafiz Ibn Hajar mentions in ‘Fath al-Bari’ that some exorcists will warm an axe on fire and after cooling it down they will rub it on the patient. Some of these methods are from the prophetic way, while others are from traditional medicine.
The only prohibited actions would be those which are contrary to Shari’ah (Divine Law). The prohibited types of treatment will include the use of impurities, calling upon the aid of Jinn, writing out the Qur’an with impurities or in prohibited places, use of magic etc. Books encouraging these prohibited acts should be avoided.
The way of distinguishing between traditional Eastern or Arabic medicine and magic is by looking to the Shari’ah as the criterion. Any practice which contradict the ordinances of the Qur’an and Sunnah will be prohibited.
Allah knows best.
Answered by Shaykh Asrar Rashid
