Exploring Traditional Islamic Healing in Epilepsy Care: Perspectives of Malay Muslim Practitioners in Malaysia

Siti Nor Aqilah Mohd Noor; Shazia Jamshed; Chiau Ming Long; Umar Idris Ibrahim; Nurulumi Ahmad; Pei Lin Lua; Aslinda Jamil; Ahmad Kamal Ariffin Abdul Jamil

doi:10.54133/ajms.v11i1.3121

Authors

Siti Nor Aqilah Mohd Noor Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4576-1020
Shazia Jamshed School of Pharmacy, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0773-0463
Chiau Ming Long School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
Umar Idris Ibrahim Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2887-2877
Nurulumi Ahmad Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2075-5240
Pei Lin Lua Fakulti Farmasi, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Kampus Besut, Terengganu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8717-7284
Aslinda Jamil Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1094-0420
Ahmad Kamal Ariffin Abdul Jamil Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v11i1.3121

Keywords:

Bekam, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Epilepsy, Ruqyah, Traditional Islamic healing

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is commonly perceived among Malay Muslims not only as a neurological disorder but also a condition influenced by spiritual and cultural beliefs. Consequently, complementary and alternative medicine approaches, particularly ruqyah syar’iyyah and bekam, remain widely utilized alongside conventional treatment. Objective: To explore the perceptions and management approaches of Malay Muslim Islamic traditional medicine practitioners regarding epilepsy and to examine how these practices are integrated with conventional medicine. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using three face-to-face focus group discussions involving nine experienced Malay Muslim Islamic traditional medicine practitioners (five males and four females, 55.4±13.2 years), each possessing at least five years of experience in ruqyah and bekam. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five major themes emerged: illness as a spiritual or energetic disturbance; the Quran and natural elements as healing tools; healing as a faith-based effort and personal responsibility; customization and patient-centered practice; and collaboration and ethical boundaries. Participants viewed epilepsy through both spiritual and physiological perspectives while emphasizing faith, ethical practice, and complementary use with biomedical care. Conclusions: This study reveals the perceptions of Malay Muslim Islamic traditional medicine practitioners regarding the use of ruqyah syar’iyyah and bekam in epilepsy care. The findings highlight the cultural and spiritual significance of these practices and their perceived complementary role alongside conventional medical treatment. Strengthening collaboration between Islamic traditional medicine practitioners and healthcare professionals may support culturally sensitive and patient-centered epilepsy care.

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