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Fatwa CenterUsing incense in exorcism is not part of the Sunnah
Question
what is the islamic view on using some selected scents/perfume/roll on for exorcism, by rubbing it on thirty three parts of the body?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
We do not know of any revealed text or experience of experts that indicates that scents are used in treating Jinn possession. The use of incense is common among sorcerers. We have underlined in previous Fataawa that this is prohibited and that it is part of the exorcism rituals done by sorcerers. In fact, this is one of the beliefs held by the Sabians who worship celestial bodies as well as Christians, other polytheists and some Muslims who practice religious innovations. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 17576.
Ibn Taymiyyah 
said, “I have been informed that the Christians go out on the preceding Thursday or Saturday or some other day to visit graveyards and burn incense there. They also do the same with their homes at those times. They believe that incense imparts blessings and helps ward off evils and they consider it among the religious rituals that draw (one) closer to Allaah …” He added, “The reason I highlighted that is that many Muslims do such practices, which are borrowed from the Christians …”
He underlined the religious innovations and deviated practices done by some Muslims in imitation of the Christians with regard to their (religious) festivals. He said, “Examples of that is the use of incense in exorcism or in general or buying incense as a religious offering to draw one closer to Allaah. These are the rituals of Christianity and Sabianism.” [Iqtidhaa’ As-Siraat Al-Mustaqeem Mukhaalafat As-haab Al-Jaheem]
Muslims can dispense with such religious innovations and resort to the Ruqyah (Quranic healing) in such cases. Please, refer to Fataawa 22876 and 10719 about the Ruqyah for treating Jinn possession.
Allaah Knows best.
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