According to Islamic Medicine, there are two kinds of epilepsy; the first type arises from a physical imbalance of hormones and impulses inside the body and brain. This type is commonly acknowledged by practitioners of modern western medicine and is treated with drugs and therapy. The second type is just as real and of just as much concern. It is the symptom which arises from the effects of negative spiritual forces (the Jinn) which have invaded the human body and are residing in it. This type cannot be treated with drugs or therapy. The negative forces can only be expelled from the human body by using Ruqya (recitation of certain verses of the Qur’an) administered by a righteous soul (an experienced Raqi).
It is important to acknowledge that both types of epilepsy exist, then to identify which type a patient is suffering from and then to administer the specific cure for that type.
Epilepsy resulting from Possession.
The Jinn are a very real creation of God, outlined by Him the Holy Qur’an and acknowledged by His Prophets, Holy people and wise physicians. They have been created from smokeless fire and cannot be seen by the human eye because they are the descendants
of iblees (satan). Allah allows them to take the form of another living object (usually a snake, dog, donkey, human being or a scorpion) or appear as apparitions, speak to humans and invade the human body and possess it. They are confused by non Muslims for ‘ghosts’ if they appear to be seen by them or whisper to them. In reality, ‘ghostly apparitions’ which are the souls of deceased people do not exist as Allah has forbidden those who have left this World to return to it for any reason.
Some Jinn are good and decent, while others are innately evil. Possession is always caused by evil Jinn [shayateen] who are usually drawn to children, women who dress immodestly and vulnerable, depressed people. Having said that, healthy people can also be possessed by them, most times as a result of sorcery, but sometimes for no apparent reason. Epileptic fits and seizures can commonly be some of the many symptoms of such possession.
Where drugs are not having any effect upon an epileptic patient, it may be useful to consider that they may have been possessed by a Jinni who is causing the fits. But, please don’t panic and jump to this conclusion immediately just because the drugs are not working. Human possession by Jinn has marked and very particular indicators. The patient should be taken to see an experienced Imam or Raqi before any firm conclusion is drawn.
Of the clearer indications of possession, whilst in the state of an epileptic fit or in the resting state, a sufferer may inadvertently rip their clothes off, have an odd or piercing stare, use very foul language, mumble incoherently, suffer from re-occurring
nightmares, feel extreme fear at the slightest thing, speak in an odd or harsh voice, commit self-harm or attack the most beloved of their relatives, have an extreme dislike for the recitation of the Qur’an, feel pain and scream or try and get away upon hearing the Azhaan etc. If this is happening, it is important to see a Raqi as soon as possible.
Cure is only from Allah, along with prevention, is two-fold. The responsibility for one part, by the Permission of Allah, is the responsibility of the Raqi, and that for the other part is attributed to the patient themselves. Both parts need to be exercised to ensure full healing from Allah Azzawajjal takes place and the illness does not return.
For the part attributed to the Healer, where the beloved Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) was present in such cases, he used to say to the possessed person while addressing the Jinni within him/her,
“Oh enemy of Allah, Depart! I am the Messenger of Allah!”
An Imam once said that he recited the following Ayah in the ear of the person afflicted with epilepsy;
“Did you think that We created you in play, [without any purpose] and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (Qur’an 23:115)
The she-Jinni possessing him replied, “Indeed!” while extending her voice and mocking the Qur’an.
So the Imam took a stick and beat the epileptic person on his neck until the Imam’s hands got tired. Those present did not doubt that the sick person would die from the severity of such a beating.
While beating the patient, the she-Jinni screamed, “I love him!”
The Imam told her, “But he does not love you.”
She said, “I want to accompany him to perform Hajj!”
The Imam said, “He does not want to go to Hajj with you.”
She then said, “I will leave him in your honour.”
The Imam said, “No. Leave him as an obedience to Allah and His Messenger (pbuh).”
She then said, “I will leave him alone.”
The patient woke up and started looking around, saying, “What brought me to the presence of this Imam?”
The people around him asked, “What about the beating you took just now?”
He said, “Why would the Imam beat me when I have done nothing wrong?”
He had no idea that he had been beaten and that the Jinni had been removed from him!
Beatings are not nowadays administered, instead the Raqi only has to slap his hand very gently on the patient, Allah Azzawajjal causes the Jinni to feel extreme pain. Check this link to see the exorcism
technique of Abu Tharr.
For the patient, it is vitally important to strengthen their Faith in Allah and their morals. This includes, performing the five daily prayers without fail, giving in charity, fasting, increasing their knowledge of Islam and practicing upon the Sunnah of our beloved Messenger (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), keeping away from bad activities, sins, haram or doubtful food and income, and the company of immoral people. The result; a soul becomes naturally closer to its Lord, has his/her supplications answered without delay and is distanced from the effects of evil beings and evil activities.
Seeking refuge in Allah from the evil creation (Both of the Jinn, mankind and of the devils) is also essential. Our beloved Messenger (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) has instructed us to read the following Surahs of the Qur’an in Arabic three times each, every morning and evening for protection;
Surah Al Ikhlaas (112) The Purity
http://quran.com/112
Say: He is Allah, the One
Allah-hus Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks)
He begets not, nor was He begotten
And there is no co-equal or anyone comparable unto Him
Surah Al Falaq (113) The Daybreak
http://quran.com/113
Say: I seek refuge with Allah, the Lord of the daybreak
From the evil of what He has created
And from the evil of the darkening night as it comes with its darkness
And from the evil of witchcraft then they blow in the knots (a form of spell-casting)
And from the evil of the envier when he envies (malicious jealousy
, hasad/evil eye).
Surah An Naas (114) Mankind
http://quran.com/114
Say: I seek refuge with Allah, the Lord of Mankind
The King of Mankind
The Ilah (God) of Mankind
From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from such whispering after one conducts the remembrance of Allah).
Who whispers in the breasts (chests) of Mankind
Of Jinn and Men
For reference, please see screenshot below from Sahih Al Bukhari;
The supplication of the Messenger of Allah seeking Allahs' protection for his grandsons.
Please see screenshot below from Jami' At Tirmithi. Classed as Sahih;
Epilepsy resulting from physical causes.
This type of epilepsy alters the constitution of the body and is accompanied by spasms that prevent the limbs functioning normally. The sufferer is not able to stand upright for very long; they will fall down and foam accumulates in and around the mouth.
This type of epilepsy causes intense pain during seizures and is a chronic illness which is hard to cure. It can remain for many years, especially in those over the age of 25.
During the state of a fit or seizure, the sufferer is not in control of what is happening; for this reason they are free of sin and will not be accountable for whatever they commit in this state (they are still accountable for whatever they commit in the resting state). If they endure with patience and undying faith in Allah, their guaranteed
home is in Paradise.
It was narrated by 'Ata bin Abi Rabah (radhi Allahu anhu) that, "Ibn 'Abbas (radhi Allahu anhu) said to me, "Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?" I said, "Yes." He said, "This black lady came to the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.' The Prophet said (to her), 'If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allah to cure you.' She said, 'I will remain patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.' So he invoked Allah for her."
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 70, Number 555
During a seizure, the effected cerebral cavity in the brain is fighting the effects of an ailment. The limb or organ that the cavity controls will be affected until the seizure is over.
The 14 ways in which epilepsy effects the body - http://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/effects-on-body
Modern western medicine has made huge advances in the development of drugs which can reduce the effect and frequency of epileptic fits to a degree, but the cure rests with Allah alone. Invoking Him with prayers is an important aspect of healing from this debilitating illness. It calms the soul and gives hope to the heart. The state of the human psyche has an impact upon the effectiveness of the cure. Reciting the Surahs mentioned before in this Blog are just as useful here, as is reciting Surah Al Fatihah (1) an odd number of times and blowing onto the hands which should be wiped all over the head and body of the patient.
It is vitally important that everyone learns about the very real harm and demonic nature of witchcraft - read more at this link -
http://salaf-us-saalih.com/2011/03/12/some-of-the-signs-of-magicians-sorcerers-and-how-to-identify-them/
In sha’Allah, with God’s leave, He will help all those suffering from epilepsy.
