ASA,
There have been serious health issues with my otherwise very active parents for the past 2 1/2 years. First my father slipped into deep depression, something we could least expect him to get, as he has always been a very contended and hardworking person, and had always been known for his friendly and helpful nature. People relie on his advice in every area of life. Now he is unable to manage even his own simple affairs. Then in May this year, suddenly my mother fell terribly ill also. She has spent most of the time since in Hospital, with some issue or another. Just as she starts getting better, somemishap lands her in hosptal again. Lately she fell and fractured her thigh bone, for which she had another surgery, and she is to be admitted to the hospital again for more treatment. From about to go on a long flight to America independenly in May, she has been reduced to being totally dependent and bedridden, and in pain, requiring nursing as well as other care. Some people say it is Nazar. Some believe that since these problems started immediately after they had a lush jamun tree cut, (because its roots were damaging one bathroom,), they may have unknowingly angered a jinn living on that tree. We have had Sura Baqara recited. Someone also mentioned that she should personally go to that part of the house where the tree was, and and ask apology from the jinn since it was dne unknowingly and ask him to leave. I want to ask what we should be doing if it is so. THANYOU

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 is His slave and Messenger.

It is incorrect to interpret such incidents by unseen matters like jinn and the like. What happened to your parents may be due to normal matters and trials that afflict a person, so first of all, we advise you to be patient with her as there is much good in being patient. For more benefit on the excellence of patience, please refer to Fatwa 83577.

You should supplicate Allaah to cure them [your parents] and they should consult specialist doctors and perform Ruqyah as it is beneficial in all cases, Allaah willing. For more benefit on Ruqyah, please refer to Fatwa 88705.

As regards what is mentioned that your mother should personally go to apologize to the jinn for what happened, then this is not permissible and this is superstition; it is most likely that this has a relation with the belief of some non-Muslim nations, like Hindus and the like. Moreover, if such an apology takes place, then this includes a prohibition which is that the jinni becomes more oppressive against the human being. The Prophet heard a man saying: "May Satan become miserable!" Thereupon, the Prophet said: "Do not say so because if you say so, Satan becomes bigger as big as a mountain and he would say: "It is by my force that I knocked him down.", but if you say “Bismillaah” (In the Name of Allaah), he would become smaller like a fly." [Ahmad] This narration is evidence that Satan becomes bigger and if one apologizes to him, then this makes him bigger and more oppressive.

Therefore, you should recite the Quran at home especially Chapter Al-Baqarah (the Cow) [Quran 2] and seek refuge in Allaah from all evil.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 87433 and 86197.