ABSTRACT
Islam teaches Muslims to seek protection and refuge in Allah from the evils of envy, jealousy and Jinn possession through the recitation of prayers, verses from the Qur’an and supplications. Research indicates that interventions drawing on faith can be effective in addressing and preventing mental health problem and speeds recovery from anxiety and depression in Muslims. Both the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) and the reciting the Qur’an would protect people with regard to dealing with the evil eye and hasad (destructive envy), and other kinds of harm from the devils of mankind and the Jinn. The most effective means of seeking refuge that is available to the Muslim is reciting the Qur’an, above all the Mi’wadhatayn (the last two chapters of the Qur’an, Al-Falaq (Qur’an:113) and Nas (Qur’an:114), Al-Fatihah (Qur’an:1) and Ayatul Al-Kursiy (Qur’an: 2:255). Ruqyah (incantation) consists of reciting the Qur’an, seeking of refuge, remembrance and supplications that are used as a means of treating ill health and harms. The approach to be taken is Ruqyah Ash Shari’ah which is in accordance with the beliefs of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama^ah. In Islam there has always been an approach of treating sickness with regular medical treatments and Islamic treatments together. That is using both Prophetic medicine and conventional medicine. There are many Hadiths which encourage the Muslims to seek medical treatment. There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment. Whenever an illness is treated with its right remedy, it will, by Allah’s permission, be cured. In order to ward off all evils influencing our heart and soul, the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty, becomes a priority in our lives. This chapter examines the use of spiritual interventions such as Dhikr (Remembrance of God) and Ruqyah (Incantations).
