Exorcism in Islam

The term "exorcism" derives from Greek "exorkismos," meaning "oath" or "adjuration." In Islamic contexts, the practice is often referred to by terms like ruqya (incantation, charm), 'azima (solemn adjuration), or ṭard (expulsion). These terms highlight the invocation of divine power and the forceful removal of unwanted spiritual presence.

In Islam, the belief that spiritual entities—such as jinn, ghosts, and devils—can possess a person, a thing, or location, is widespread; as is the belief that spirits can be expelled from the possessed person (or thing/location) through exorcism. This practice is called al-'azm, ṭard al-shayṭān/al-jinn (expulsion of devils/spirits), or ruqya (Arabic: رقية, romanized: ruqya, spell, charm, magic, incantation), and exorcists are called raqi. Belief in the supernatural—witchcraft, sorcery, magic, ghosts...

The concept of exorcism, particularly within Islam, offers a compelling lens through which to examine the persistent human engagement with the unseen. It speaks to a fundamental recognition that the visible world is but one facet of reality, and that forces, often perceived as malevolent, can impinge upon human well-being. As Mircea Eliade observed in his work on shamanism and archaic religions, the battle against spirits and the restoration of cosmic order is a recurring theme across cultures, a testament to the enduring human need to understand and control the liminal spaces of existence.

In Islamic tradition, ruqya is not an act of personal magic but a recourse to divine power. The raqi, the practitioner, acts as an intercessor, employing the words of the Quran and the supplications taught by the Prophet Muhammad. This is not about confronting a "devil" with equal or superior power, but about invoking the ultimate power of Allah to command the expulsion of the intrusive entity. It echoes the ancient understanding of divine names and sacred utterances as potent forces, a concept explored by scholars like Henry Corbin in relation to Islamic mysticism and Gnosticism. The practice underscores a worldview where the spiritual and material are intricately interwoven, and where the health of the soul and the integrity of the environment are dependent on maintaining a proper relationship with the divine.

The efficacy of ruqya is often attributed to the sincerity of the practitioner and the possessed individual's faith, highlighting the psychological and spiritual dimensions of healing. It suggests that the perceived "possession" might be a manifestation of deep-seated psychological distress or spiritual imbalance, which can be addressed through a structured invocation of divine grace. This resonates with Carl Jung's ideas about the collective unconscious and the archetypal struggle against shadow aspects, though Jung's approach would likely interpret the "jinn" and "shayatin" as potent symbolic representations of internal psychic dynamics. Ultimately, Islamic exorcism serves as a reminder that the quest for spiritual wholeness often involves confronting what lies beyond the immediate, the tangible, and the rationally explainable, seeking solace and strength in the transcendent.