A remedy for affliction: placing a finger on every line of the Qur’an

Question

A man here has suggested this practice (ʿamal): at a time of affliction or some distress, in order to remove the distress, one should keep placing a finger on the lines of the Glorious Qur’an and keep reciting “Bismillah”. Even if (a person) has read the Qur’an, he too should keep placing his finger on the lines of the Holy Qur’an and keep reciting “Bismillah”. Is this practice correct?

Answer

The remedy for removing affliction is repentance and seeking forgiveness (tawba and istighfar): to be remorseful for one’s sins, ask forgiveness and make a firm resolve for the future; to fulfil the rights of Allah — prayer, zakat, sadaqa, fasting — whichever of them remain owed; to render the rights of (Allah’s) servants and ask their forgiveness.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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