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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 5/2016

01-10-2016 | Original Paper

Why Cancer Patients Seek Islamic Healing

Authors: Norhasmilia Suhami, Mazanah Bt Muhamad, Steven Eric Krauss

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Islamic healing is frequently referred to as the treatment of choice by many Muslim cancer patients in Malaysia. Despite its widespread use, there is limited information relating to patients’ healing preferences. With rising cancer rates in the country, this issue has become a concern to public health policy makers. The purpose of this study was to understand why cancer patients seek Islamic healing. This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews with 18 cancer patients. The findings indicate three main reasons: (1) recommendations from family, friends and doctors; (2) belief in Islamic healing and (3) the perceived ineffectiveness and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Islamic healing will likely continue to be popular complementary cancer treatment in Malaysia as it is grounded in strong cultural and religious beliefs.
Footnotes
1
According to Islamic belief, Jinn are malevolent spiritual beings that cause harm to people who encounter them. They are mentioned in the Qur’an and other Islamic texts and inhabit an unseen world in dimensions beyond the visible universe of humans (Jinn Definition 2014).
 
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Metadata
Title
Why Cancer Patients Seek Islamic Healing
Authors
Norhasmilia Suhami
Mazanah Bt Muhamad
Steven Eric Krauss
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0114-6

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