Aafiyah healing therapy
Question:-
Is Aafiyah healing therapy acceptable in Shariah or not? We find more and more Muslims are inclining towards such therapies on a daily basis. A detailed response will be appreciated.
Answer:-
Aafiyah Healing is an alternative healing modality that helps to identify the underlying emotional root problems of ailments. The process involves effectively combining various healing techniques and therapies to promote ‘deep healing’ and emotional releases, ultimately leading to holistic well-being.
We at the Darul Ifta are not in favour of any of the current day healing therapies. We have reproduced a fatwa issued in regards to the current day emotional healing therapies when questioned in regards to its permissibility which clearly indicates towards the disapproval of our Darul Ifta.
The Fatwa issued by our Fatwa department is as follows;
Success of both Dunya and Aakhirah is in Deen. Deen simply refers to obeying the commands of Allah Ta’ala and following the Sunnah of Rasululullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. This can be further understood from the following narration of Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallhu Anhu.
عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِىَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- :« إِنِّى قَدْ خَلَّفْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُمَا مَا أَخَذْتُمْ بِهِمَا أَوْ عَمِلْتُمْ بِهِمَا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّتِى– (سنن الكبرٰي للبيهقي)
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Verily I have left behind amongst you (two such things) after which you will never be deviated as long you grip onto them or act upon them; The Kitaab of Allah and my Sunnah.
Both the Kitaab of Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam serves not only as a protection during the era of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, or the era of Sahaaba Radiallahu Anhum or Ta’bieen, rather it has been prescribed as a protection until the day of Qiyaamah. We, therefore, have no need to seek solutions to any of our problems in any way other than those recorded in the Quraan and Hadith.
We at the Darul Ifta are of the view that we resort to Aa’maal such as recitation of the Quraan Sharif, engaging in Zikrullah, recitation of the Asma-ul-Husna, excessive Durood and Istighfaar, and recitation of the various Duas prescribed in the Quraan and Hadith for various difficulties and in particular depression, and other related illnesses. This simply refers to reciting the verses, Surahs, Duas, etc. and nothing more. Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Sharif, “O people, Indeed advice has come to you from your Rabb, a cure for what is in the breasts and a guidance and mercy to the believers.” [Re:- Surah Yunus Verse, 57]
It is for centuries that the Ummat has been acting upon these prescriptions and by the Grace and Help of Almighty Allah, their problems have been solved. They never resorted to any healing therapies which have become rife in this day and age. It is perhaps in the last decade or so that these therapies have become popular whereas the prescriptions recorded in the Quraan and Hadith are in existence and practised upon for the past 14 centuries. It is Allah Ta’ala alone that places effect in these prescriptions, and it is not the prescription itself that can remedy our problems. The medication prescribed by doctors is only effective when Allah Ta’ala places the effect, and not effective in itself, otherwise every patient would have been cured through medication, yet we find millions of people suffering in the world with various ailments and illnesses in spite of using medication.
We, too, should therefore resort to these prescriptions recorded in the Quraan and Hadith and thereafter place our trust in Almighty Allah. In conclusion, we at the Darul Ifta are not in favour and do not approve of the various healing therapies which have become common and rife amongst the masses (even though recitation of Duas and Wazaa’if may form part of their therapy and these may even be practised upon in the name of Islam.) We, therefore, advise one and all to resort to those prescriptions that are recorded in the Quraan and Hadith, which is the safest and most cautious way of going about, as understood from the narration of Abu Hurairah quoted above.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!