Diagnosis of evil eye and Jinn possession
Evil eye and Jinn possession can be recognised in several
ways: self-diagnosis, observation of symptoms, screening tool and through diagnostic
Ruqyah
(incantations for spiritual healing).
Observing symptoms
The symptoms of evil eye, Jinn possession and witchcraft
vary for different people when touched by these supernatural phenomena.
According to Al Habeeb (T.A. Al-Habeeb, “A Pilot study of faith healers’ views
on evil eye, Jinn possession, and magic in the kingdom o Saudi Arabia, Journal
of Family & Community Medicine, 10, 3 [2003]), “the triad of somatic symptoms
such as apparent paralysis, dyspnoea, and tremors may indicate Jinn psychopathology,
while anorexia and abortions may anchor the diagnosis of evil eye and magic”
(p. 35). In addition, other symptoms that include “abnormal movements,
seizure-like state, transient psychotic disturbance, and reversible altered consciousness
was partly compatible with the diagnostic criteria of possession state as laid
down in major classification” (p. 35). Those who deal with Ruqyah have
mentioned some of the symptoms which may be used for the diagnosis of evil eye
or Jinn possession. However, these symptoms, as presented in Table 16.3,
are not definitive symptoms and may vary in some cases, and may be more or less
in other cases.
Ruqyah diagnosis
The most effective method for the diagnosis of Jinn possession
is Ruqyah (incantation). . . . Ruqyah can be divided into two
categories: Ruqyah which is compliant with Islamic jurisprudence (Ruqyah
Ash Shari’ah) and the deviant Ruqyah which contains polytheistic practices
(Ruqyah Ash Shirkiyyah). The Ruqyah mentioned in this book is Ruqyah
Ash Shari’ah. There are many websites providing Ruqyah online and
attendance of a particular therapy centre.
Table 16.3 Symptoms
of diagnosis of evil eye and Jinn possession
|
Symptoms of evil eye |
Symptoms
of Jinn possession |
|
· Headaches that move from one
part of the head to another. |
· Turning away and reacting
strongly when hearing the adhan (calling to prayer) or Qur’an. |
|
· Yellow pallor in the face. |
· Fainting, seizures and falling
when Qur’an is read over him. |
|
· Sweating and urinating a great
deal. |
· A lot of disturbing dreams. |
|
· Weak appetite; tingling, heat
or cold in the limbs. |
· Being alone, keeping away from
people and behaving strangely. |
|
· Palpitations in the heart. |
· The devil who is dwelling in
him may speak when Qur’an is recited over him. |
|
· Pain the lower back and
shoulders. |
|
|
· Sadness and anxiety. |
|
|
· Sleeplessness at night. |
|
|
· Strong reactions due to
abnormal fears. |
|
|
· A lot of burping, yawning and sighing. |
|
|
· Withdrawal and love of
solitude. |
|
|
· Apathy and laziness. |
|
|
· A tendency to sleep; health
problems with no known medical cause. |
|
Source: Islamqa (2009) 125543: Determining if One is Afflicted by
Evil Eye or Possessed, https://islamqa.info/en/125543
(accessed 21 March 2018)
Individuals with Jinn possession or witchcraft may not tolerate
the recitation of the Qur’an during Ruqyah. The effects differ from
individual to individual and may include spontaneous changes in involuntary
actions (for example, vomiting, involuntary muscular movements) or emotions
(for example, screaming, crying, sinister laughing) or showing total resistance
to the therapy.
Self-diagnosis
There are different types of self-diagnosis of Jinn possession,
including the listening of Qur’anic recitations (audio) and self-diagnosis
questionnaire. Different Ruqyah or healing centres would use different
methods, procedures or approaches and the type of questions used in
self-diagnosis questionnaire. For the audio approach, there is the request to
listen to some recitations for about five times continuously or in some cases
seven times or any odd amount. The individual would then self-reflect on the
following questions:
· What is the general feeling or emotional reaction
after listening to the audio recording?
· Is the emotional reaction normal or unexplained?
· Was there a feeling of something moving
inside you?
· Did you notice behavioural changes as
restless, irritation, inability to listen to the recitation, wanted to move
away or shut off the recitation immediately?
If you have certain reactions, then you should consult a Ruqyah
centre immediately. (G. Hussein Rassool, Evil Eye, Jinn Possession, and
Mental Health Issues: An Islamic Perspective [Explorations in Mental
Health; Oxfordshire: Routledge, 2019], 191-93)
