Tea bags with Quranic inscriptions said to have healing power have emerged in markets in Europe, Daily Trust reports.
The development has however raised dust, especially in northern Nigeria, where ‘rubutun allo’ (Quranic verses and other Islamic prayers written on wooden slates, or tablets using ‘tawada’, also known as local ink) are prescribed for drinking with the hope of getting spiritual healing or protection from evil.
The usage gained prominence many decades ago among a section of Muslims, especially in northern Nigeria, and is also a source of livelihood for some malams (clerics).
The newly introduced tea bags are prepared such that one doesn’t have to write the verses or prayers on the local slate, rather, they are inscribed on dissoluble paper that is packaged like the normal tea bags.
Those behind the innovation said what is required is just water in a cup and one is good to go as the tea dissolves straightaway and is ready for drinking.
Daily Trust reports that traditionally, specific Qur’an verses are written on a slate (allo) and allowed to dry before being washed and the water drunk with the hope of recovering from ailments or protection against evil and evil.
Clerics kick
Some Muslims, both at home and abroad, are said to have sought the rubutun allo for protection or recovery from ailments. For those outside the country, it is normally sent to them in bottles or jerry cans, as the case may be. Some not only drink it but rob it on their body or bathe with the rubutun sha.
However, some clerics who believe in the efficacy of the preparation have kicked against the packaging of the rubutun allo in teabags, saying some people want to take over their ‘business’.
Following the emergence of the teabags, which has gone viral, some clerics expressed their displeasure over the development saying that it will throw them out of ‘business.’
Traditionally, people visited clerics whom they paid to write the appropriate verses for them, mostly out of fear of not getting the recommended ones properly, or typographical errors.
Those in the rubutun allo for healing/protection business here in Nigeria are accusing the Netherlands-based company that introduced the new teabags, identified as Quranfi, of trying to get them out of business.
“This is absolutely sabotage,” one of the clerics in Kano, said. “I wonder why they feel they have to make it like a tea bag,” he said.
Another cleric doubted the efficacy of the innovation.
“How sure are they of having the ‘sirri’ (secret) of ensuring that it works?” he queried.
New teabag not for everyone
However, less privileged individuals and middle-class income earners may find it difficult to afford to buy the ‘healing’ teabags.
It was gathered that a packet goes for not less than N30,800, while the most expensive is sold for N307,400.
A packet of ‘Suratul Baqara, Maryam and Saffat among others and verses that destroy witchcraft cost N30,800, a packet of the complete Qur’an is sold at the rate of N43,000.
A set of protection verses goes for N307,400 alongside some items, while the medium size costs N215, 200.
The company has also introduced the Quranic Sheet for Ruqyah (x16) called the Quranfi Ruqyah Package. Each package includes 16 sheets of Quranic verses specifically chosen for their ability to destroy various forms of sihr (‘black magic’).
One is just expected to dilute the Quranic sheet in water to create a potent ruqyah (seeking refuge, remembrance, and supplications that are used as a means of treating sicknesses and other problems) solution that can be used for drinking, bathing, and spraying in the home.
The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, according to the manufacturers.
A search online showed Etsy, a global online marketplace, describing the Quranfi Ultimate Ruqyah Package as “a collection of our most popular and powerful Quranic tools for spiritual protection and healing,” adding that the “package includes a variety of Quranic sheets designed to provide protection against jinn, sihr, al-ayn, and hassad.”
