Quran - Tafseer Sura Ikhlas (112) by Bilal Philip

Qul a‘oothu bi rabbin-naas and he said to me, ‘O ‘Uqbah! Seek refuge with them,
for none who seek refuge can do so with anything equal to them.’”
يا عق ْبة َ تعوذ ْ بِهِما،‏ ف َما تعوذ َ متعوذ ٌ بِمِث ْلِهِما ))
“‘O ‘Uqbah! Seek refuge with them, for none who seek refuge can do so with
anything equal to them.’” 14
))
Both Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree and Anas ibn Maalik stated, “The Messenger of
Allaah () used to seek refuge in Allaah from the Jinn and the human evil-eye until
the mu‘awwithataan was revealed. When they were revealed he adopted them and
abandoned everything else.” 15
These two chapters may be used for any circumstance in which one fears
harm. They should be the believer’s first resort as they remind them to put their
trust in Allaah in whose Hands all good and all evil lie.
3. A Treatment for Illness
‘Aa’ishah related that whenever the Prophet (r) suffered he would read the
mu‘awwithataan on himself and blow [over himself]. But when his pain became
intense, I used to read over him and wipe him with his own hand hoping for its
blessing. 16
This narration clarifies that these two chapters should be used to treat
illnesses along with the use of medicines. Simply because one knows, or believes
that one knows the cause of a sickness does not mean that there is no need to ask
for Allaah’s help and protection. To rely totally on medical means becomes a
form of shirk wherein one believes that it is the medicines that cure by
themselves. Instead, the believer should earnestly seek Allaah’s aid in all of his or
her affairs.
14 Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. , p. , no. , Kitaab: as-Salaah; Baab: al-Mu‘awwithatain, Sunan an-
Nasaa’ee, vol. 8, p. 251, and authenticated in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, vol. , p. , no. .
15 Sunan at-Tirmithee, vol. 2, no. 206, Kitaab: at Tibb; Baab: Ruqyah bil- mu‘awwithataan and
authenticated in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmithee, vol. , p. , no. .
16 Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. , p. , no. , Kitaab: Fadaa’il al Quraan; Baab: Fadl al-Mu‘awwithaat, and
Sahih Muslim, vol. , p. no. , Kitaab: as Salaam; Baab: Ruqyat al Mareed bil-Mu‘awwithaat .