Bismillah ar rehmaanur raheem
First of all…
One can use recorded Hadith in two ways:
- To demonstrate one’s own preconceived notions, concepts, and believes
- To understand and elaborate the meaning of the Quran treating authentic hadith as an ancillary piece of literature.
The sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) is suppose to serve as a LIVING EXAMPLE to the QURAN, not the LIVING example of our own current-intellect. So, hadith must be understood in the light of Quran (the primary source), and not standalone, or one’s own customs and norms.
Now moving to the concept of “Ruqya”. Two ways to explain is as far as I understand it…
The Arab had many superstitious customs culturally in the Pre-Islamic days. Recitation of charms, incantations and spells for something was also part of other cultures around the Arabia; Example the Persian to the North. Some associated influential emotional and powerful and witty poetry to have an enchanting effect on people as well, and poetry was the primary form of high-order literature and arts within the Arabia.
These same sentiments, habits and intellect enabled people to take Quranic verses and apply them as Ruqya as well when Quran was revealed. The Prophet (pbuh) DID NOT prevent and reject Quran’s use in such a manner because his job was to share benefit, not overshadow, or hide benefit from human beings. However, evil magicians use Quranic verses as a Ruqya to cast evil non-beneficial spells which becomes BLACK magic that is HARAM. Obviously, Prophet did not condone use to Quranic Ruqya as for evil deeds.
So does that still prove that Quran is indeed a book of spells???
No…and here is why
everything thing in the world as an “effect” and “function”, and “utility” that is innate. For example: legs used to walk or run not fly or breath. A round tire is used to move a locomotive, not fly an airplane . A key is used to lock and unlock something. Polite and courteous language also creates effect, rude and harsh language also causes psychological trauma. In nature EVERYTHING interacts with everything else in many ways and has many innate properties maintained by Al-Mudabbir
Quranic verses similarly also have many utility, function, effects, just like any thing in the world. But according to the language of the Quran, time and time again, and in several places Quran calls itself as the book of wisdom (Sura Yasin, 1-5) that upon reflection is bound to render best/righteous behavior which is the objective of man’s life.
When the Quran was revealed with Surah A’luq in cave Hira during this blessed month of Ramadan, what was the message in the first 5 verses revealed to mankind? To my understanding, it engaged man sharply into deep fundamental reflection about the epistemological and biological evolution in man’s existence among others things.No where does the Quran call itself anywhere close to a Ruqya. Nor did Prophet Muhammed ever teach it as a Ruqya, or ever lived a life where he preferred incantation over acting and struggling in life in wisdom. The loss in the battle of Uhud is an example to reflect: no quranic ruqya even by God’s own messenger couldn’t change fate of battle.