Can ruqya be done remotely or over the phone?

Yes. Recitation carries the treatment, and there is no requirement of physical proximity. Distance ruqya over a call or video is widely practised and reasonable.

It also removes the single most common setting for abuse in this field, which is a practitioner alone in a room with a patient. For women particularly, remote sessions are worth considering as the default rather than the fallback.

Practical notes

• Make wudu and sit somewhere quiet, as you would in person
• Have your own water prepared to recite over, or prepare it yourself afterwards
• A recording of Quran recitation is also beneficial and can be used daily
• Keep sessions to a reasonable length

The strongest option remains self-ruqya. No appointment, no fee, no dependence on anyone's availability, and nothing lost in the process.

Be cautious of anyone charging premium rates for remote sessions on the basis that distance requires more spiritual effort. It does not.