The sunnah method of performing ruqyah

Assalam oalaikum,
Once Uthman Ibn-Abil-Aas complained of a pain from which he had been suffering since he had adopted Islam. So Prophet Mohammad instructed him, ‘Place your hand on that part of your body where there is pain and say ‘Bismillaah (in the name of Allaah) thrice. Then say ‘A’oodhu bi ‘izzat-illaah wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajid wa uhaadhir (I seek refuge in the glory and power of Allaah from the evil of what I feel and worry about), seven times. (Muslim- 2202)
A raqi, as we know, is a spiritual healer who performs ruqyah for a patient. As far as his eligibility for doing ruqyah on others is concerned he definitely need not be an ascetic, scholar or someone who has got a formal training. It is also not necessary that he may have studied religion. What is important for a raqi is that he should be a pious, practicing Muslim. He should be able to read and understand the Qur’an well. He should be a righteous person with noble intentions, just like a doctor who aspires to save the life of his patients. Moreover, he should be able to distinguish between the Sunnah, i.e. the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (saw) and bidaa or innovations, so that he does the ruqyah strictly according to the Islamic methodology.
Now moving on to the methodology, when the problem of the patient has been identified by the Raqi he will follow this simple procedure:
After locating the aching spot, the Raqi will follow the method of Prophet Muhammad (saw), i.e. reciting the Ruqya prayers.
Doing Nafth (puffing out breath with a little saliva) into the right hand and then rubbing the painful spot while reciting the ruqyah prayers.
Understanding and adhering to the above mentioned Sunnah method of performing ruqyah is of utmost importance. This will protect us from being taken for a ride by the fake raqis and black magicians who sin themselves and can make ignorant and gullible people sinners as well.

Keep Me In Your Prayers
Amel Soname
Amel_soname@yahoo.com