Among their traits is that they do not seek ruqyah—that is, they do not ask others to perform it for them. The ḥadith does not say, “they do not perform ruqyah,” even though this wording appears in one of Muslim’s transmission lines; it is a mistake. The Prophet ﷺ performed ruqyah for himself and for others, but he never asked anyone to do so for him. The one who asks for ruqyah is requesting another person’s supplication, whereas the one who performs ruqyah for someone else is himself supplicating on that person’s behalf.

The Prophet ﷺ said to Ibn ʿAbbās: “When you ask, ask Allah; and when you seek help, seek help from Allah.” He alone is the One on whom reliance is placed, from whom assistance and relief are sought, whom we fear and hope for, whom we worship, and to whom hearts turn in repentance. There is no power and no strength except through Him, and there is no refuge from Him except with Him. The entire Qur’an confirms this fundamental principle.

The Messenger ﷺ, for his part, is to be obeyed, loved, and pleased with; his judgment is to be accepted, and he is to be honored, revered, followed, and believed in, together with everything he has brought. The Most High says: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah” (al-Nisāʾ 4:80). He also says: “We sent no messenger except that he should be obeyed by Allah’s leave” (al-Nisāʾ 4:64).