What is the ruling on reciting over water in which saffron has been dissolved, then dipping papers into it, then letting them dry, then washing them in water and drinking it?

Praise be to Allaah. 

Reciting over saffron water, then dipping
pieces of paper in it and selling them to people for them to seek a
cure from them – this is an action which is not permitted and it must
be prevented, because it is a kind of cheating and consuming people’s
wealth unlawfully. It is not the kind of shar’i ruqyah which some scholars
said is permitted, which is to write aayahs clearly on a piece of paper
using something pure, then to wash that writing off and drink the water.

 [Translator’s note: ruqyah i.e., reciting
Qur’aan and du’aa’s over the sick for the purpose of seeking healing]