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01-02-2014 | Original Paper

“Satan Has Afflicted Me!” Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur’an

Authors: F. Islam, R. A. Campbell

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Mental health stigma in Muslim communities may be partly due to a commonly held belief among some Muslims about the supernatural causes of mental illness (i.e. jinn-possession brought on by one’s sinful life). A thematic analysis was carried out on four English translations and the Arabic text of the Qur’an to explore whether the connection between jinn-possession and insanity exists within the Muslim holy book. No connection between spirit-possession and madness or mental illness was found. Pagans taunted and labelled people as jinn-possessed only to ostracize and scapegoat. Linking the labelling of people as jinn-possession to a pagan practice may be used to educate Muslims, so they can reassess their community’s stigma towards the mentally ill.

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Title: “Satan Has Afflicted Me!” Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur’an
Authors: F. Islam
R. A. Campbell
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-012-9626-5

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“Satan Has Afflicted Me!” Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur’an

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

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