Consulting a person who claims knowledge of Ghayb

Fatwa no. 10627 A: On the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah 1403 AH, I got married to my maternal cousin. On the first day of Ramadan 1405 AH, Allah blessed me with a boy whom I called Musa. In Sha`ban, 1406 AH my wife miscarried a fetus after the third month. (Part No. 1; Page No. 619) In Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1407 AH, Allah caused my son Musa to die. After my son Musa died, my maternal aunt, who is also my mother-in-law, came to me and said that she had gone to a man who has "knowledge of the book." That man told my maternal aunt that a female devil is to be blamed for the death of my children, prompted by her envy and grudge of my wife. He further alleged that he could get rid of this female devil.I did not listen to what she said. Last year, on the third day of Sha`ban, 1407 AH, Allah blessed me with a daughter whom I called Masturah, but Allah caused her to die the day she was born. My maternal aunt came again and blamed me for not going to the man she had mentioned before. She, along with my father, insisted that I should go to him. I asked them to wait a little, so that perhaps Allah would guide me to something better. Praise be to Allah, I finally decided to write this letter to you, in the hope that Allah will enable you to advise us on this matter, knowing that it is causing me constant anguish.

A: You have done well by refusing to go with your maternal aunt – your mother-in-law – to a man who claims to have "knowledge of the book," because he is a sorcerer. You have also done well by asking the people of knowledge for the right answer. You should recite Ruqyah (reciting Qur'an and saying supplications seeking healing) prescribed in Islam for yourself, your wife and the children with whom you have been blessed. Recite (Part No. 1; Page No. 620) Al-Fatihah over each of them, and Al-Mu`awidhat Al-Thalath (Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Nas). After each recitation, you should blow into your palms and pass them over the face and the front of the body. You should then recite this Du`a' (supplication), O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye. We also advise you to read the following books: Al-Adhkar Al-Nawawiyyah by Imam Al-Nawawy, Al-Kalim Al-Tayyib by Ibn Taymiyyah, and Al-Wabil Al-Sayyib by Ibn Al-Qayyim, for they contain many beneficial Dhikrs (forms of Remembrance of Allah) and Shar`y (Islamically lawful) wordings of Ruqyah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.