"Satan has afflicted me!" Jinn-possession and mental illness in the Qur'an

J Relig Health. 2014 Feb;53(1):229-43. doi: 10.1007/s10943-012-9626-5.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Culture*
  • Humans
  • Islam / psychology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Social Stigma*