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Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health 1/2014

01.02.2014 | Original Paper

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

verfasst von: F. Islam, R. A. Campbell

Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health | Ausgabe 1/2014

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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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Metadaten
Titel
“Satan Has Afflicted Me!” Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur’an
verfasst von
F. Islam
R. A. Campbell
Publikationsdatum
01.02.2014
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Journal of Religion and Health / Ausgabe 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-012-9626-5

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