Some cure evil eye or other illness through use of many things: like burning incense or writing verses of Qur'an on paper, putting it in water and drinking it. Sometimes, they make cures to allow a couple to have children by using rice, dates or coconuts and have certain rituals of writing Qur'an in Saffron....If this allowed in Islam? How about blowing on ZamZam water and drinking it after reading Qur'an or putting black marks to ward off evil?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The ruling on burning incense or writing some Quranic verses on a paper and burning that paper to treat a person from evil eye depends on how this is done. Using incense that has a bad smell to treat a sick person from evil eye and similar illnesses is not permissible as it is but an imitation of what magicians and jugglers do. But if it is used as a traditional medicine that treats some known physical illnesses, then there is no harm in that if it is proved by experience to be a treatment for such illnesses.

The Permanent Committee for Scientific Research and Iftaa in Saudi Arabia was asked to give a Fatwa about the permissibility of using herbs and leaves as incense and burning them to cure evil eye. The Permanent Council answered that it is unlawful to use the mentioned procedure in treating evil eye as that procedure is not a known means of achieving this goal. The reason for burning these things might be to please some devils and seek help from them. As for using good scented incense, it is lawful provided that the person does not believe that it could bring any benefit or protection from any harm. Devils hate good smells because of their bad souls.

Writing some Quranic verses on a piece of paper and putting this paper in water before giving that water to a sick person to drink is lawful according to some eminent scholars.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

“A group of the righteous predecessors believe that in order to cure evil eye, some Quranic verses are diluted in some water and the water is given to the sick person who drinks it as treatment for evil eye.”

Mujaahid said: “The Quran can be written with saffron or ink then diluted and given to a sick person to drink it.” The same thing was narrated from Abu Qulaabah. It is also narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that he ordered that some Quran be written and diluted in water and used as a treatment for a woman who had difficulties in giving birth to a child. So, the acts and opinions of these righteous predecessors, along with the fact that there is cure for people in the Quran, are enough evidence that this is lawful. Moreover, know that the Prophet permitted performing Ruqyah in treating evil eye as reported by Muslim in a sound Hadeeth.

So, the Muslim should treat himself or any other person only with what is confirmed authentic from the Prophet as there is no disagreement among scholars over using such a treatment and it will help him by the Will of Allah.

Among what the Prophet used to tell people to do to treat evil eye and get treated from evil eye is the following:

The person who has affected someone with evil eye should perform ablution or Ghusl and pour the water of that ablution (or Ghusl) on the person who has been struck by evil eye. As mentioned in a Hadeeth that 'Amir ibn Rabee’ah saw Sahl ibn Hunayf performing Ghusl and said, “I have not seen the like of what I see today, not even the skin of a maiden who has never been out of doors.” Sahl fell to the ground. The Messenger of Allah was approached and it was said, 'Messenger of Allah, can you do anything about Sahl ibn Hunayf? By Allah, he can not raise his head.' He said, 'Do you suspect anyone of it?' They said, 'We suspect 'Amir ibn Rabee’ah.”
He continued, “The Messenger of Allah summoned 'Amir and was furious with him and said, 'Why does one of you kill his brother? Why did you not say, “Ma shaa’ Allah (May Allah bless you?)” Do ghusl for him.” 'Amir washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, the end of his feet, and the inside of his lower garment in a vessel. Then he poured the water over Sahl, and the latter went off with the people, and there was nothing wrong with him.” [Al-Muatta’]

Ibn Al-Qayyim said that this illness and evil eye can be cured by reciting Soorahs 113 and 114, Al-Faatihah (opening chapter of the Quran), Quran 2: 255, and the Prophetic supplications many times.

As for treating sterility by rice, dates, coconut, and the like, this depends on medical experimentation. If it is scientifically proved that they can cure this abnormality, then there is no harm in using them for such purpose. The scholars establish as a general rule that the drugs are a cause for cure.

The causes are either religious like Quran and supplications, or materialistic, like drugs. The effect of the drug must be clearly physically not illusionary and imaginary; otherwise, it should not be used. In fact, some jugglers try to convince sick people to use drugs that are not proven scientifically or by experience to treat diseases. This kind of deception should not be accepted or encouraged. The Lawmaker (i.e. Allah) forbids wearing the ring and the thread to treat diseases or prevent them, as these are not normal causes for cure.

As for reciting the Quran on Zam-Zam water and drinking it to ward off evil, then there is no harm in that.

In fact, there is cure and treatment in the Quran for the people. The Prophet said in a sound Hadeeth that: “Zam-Zam water is sufficient for whatever it is drunk for. If you drink it to get cured, Allah will cure you. If you drink it to get fed, Allah will feed you. If you drink it to satisfy your thirst, Allah will satisfy it for you. It is a stroke of Gabriel's foot and it is the drink that Allah provided Ismael with.” [Ad-Daaraqutny and Al-Hakem]

Al-Albaani said: “And if you drink it seeking refuge from Allah, Allah gives you refuge.” [End of quote]

Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi narrated in a sound Hadeeth from Jaabir that the Prophet said: “Zam-Zam water is for what it is drunk for.”

Allah knows best.