رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ

Prophet's Guidance on treating Epilepsy and spiritual possession

فَصْلٌ فِي هَدْيِهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي عِلَاجِ الصَّرَعِ

Guidance of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in treating epilepsy

أَخْرَجَا فِي «الصَّحِيحَيْنِ» مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَطَاءِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبَاحٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: أَلَا أُرِيكَ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ؟ قُلْتُ بَلَى. قَالَ: هَذِهِ الْمَرْأَةُ السَّوْدَاءُ، أَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَتْ إِنِّي أُصْرَعُ، وَإِنِّي أَتَكَشَّفُ، فَادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي، فَقَالَ: إِنْ شِئْتِ صَبَرْتِ وَلَكِ الْجَنَّةُ، وَإِنْ شِئْتِ دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ لَكِ أَنْ يُعَافِيَكِ، فَقَالَتْ: أصبر. قالت فإني أتكشّف، فادع الله ألا أتكشف، فَدَعَا لَهَا

Ibn al-Qayyam wrote : Narrated by Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, Ibn Abbas Radi Allaho Anh said, "Shall I show you a woman from the people of Paradise?" He then pointed to a black woman and explained her story: She approached the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "I suffer from seizures, and during these episodes, my clothing becomes uncovered. Please pray to Allah for me." The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم offered her a choice: "If you wish, you can be patient, and Paradise will be yours. Or, if you prefer, I can pray to Allah for your healing." She chose patience, accepting the promise of Paradise. However, she added, "But pray to Allah that I do not become uncovered." So, the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed specifically that she would not become uncovered during her seizures. (This Hadith is recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

There are two types of epilepsy (الصَّرَعِ):

Epilepsy from evil spirits: This type of epilepsy arises from earthly, malignant spirits. The wise and knowledgeable people acknowledge this form of epilepsy and recognize that its treatment involves counteracting these malicious spirits with noble, higher spirits that repel their effects and negate their actions.

Epilepsy from bodily humors: This is the type that doctors commonly discuss regarding its causes and treatments. Such treatments address imbalances in bodily substances but are ineffective against spirit-caused epilepsy.

As for ignorant, incompetent doctors, as well as those who consider disbelief (*زندقة~Zandaqah*) to be a virtue, they deny the existence of spirit-induced epilepsy and do not acknowledge that spirits can affect the body of the afflicted. They have nothing to support their denial but ignorance. There is no basis within medical knowledge that refutes this type of epilepsy, as both sensory perception and actual experience attest to its existence. They attribute epilepsy only to imbalances of bodily humors, which may explain some types but not all. (*In this context, "Zandaqah" refers to a form of disbelief or heresy, often used to describe those who reject certain spiritual or religious beliefs, viewing their skepticism as something virtuous.)

Ancient physicians referred to spirit-induced epilepsy as "the divine disease," asserting that it originates from spirits. However, later physicians like Galen reinterpreted this terminology, saying that they called it “the divine disease” because it affects the brain, the seat of the “divine part” of the body.

This misinterpretation arose from their ignorance of these spirits, their characteristics, and their effects. The materialist doctors, who deny the spiritual realm, only acknowledged epilepsy caused by physical imbalances (humors) and disregarded spirit-related causes altogether. Anyone with intellect and knowledge of these spirits and their effects laughs at the ignorance and weak understanding of such people.

Treatment Methods for Spirit-Induced Epilepsy:

From the Patient's Side: Effective treatment requires the afflicted person to have a strong spirit, a sincere turning towards the Creator of these spirits, and the correct invocation (prayer) that engages both heart and tongue. This is compared to a form of warfare: just as a warrior needs both a strong arm and a sound weapon, the afflicted person needs both inner strength (faith, reliance on Allah, piety, and focused intent) and the right supplication. Without these, the “weapon” is ineffective, especially if both heart and faith are lacking.

From the Healer’s Side: The healer must also possess these two qualities (strong faith and sincere intent). Some healers can simply say, “Come out of him,” or utter phrases like “In the name of Allah” or “There is no might or power except with Allah,” and it can be effective.

وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَقُولُ:  اخْرُجْ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (أخرجه الإمام أحمد من حديث يعلى بن مرة عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)

The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would say, “Come out, enemy of Allah; I am the Messenger of Allah.”

I saw our teacher (Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah) send someone to address the spirit possessing the afflicted person and say to it: “The Shaykh says to you: ‘Leave, for this is not permissible for you.’” Upon this, the afflicted person would awaken. Sometimes the Shaykh would speak directly to the spirit, and if it was a rebellious spirit, he would drive it out by striking the afflicted person, who would regain consciousness without feeling any pain. We and others witnessed this multiple times. The Shaykh would often recite into the ear of the afflicted:

أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّما خَلَقْناكُمْ عَبَثاً وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ( المؤمنون:١١٥)

“Did you think that We had created you in vain and that you would not be returned to Us?” (Quran 23:115).

The Shaykh would also treat by reciting Ayat al-Kursi and would instruct the afflicted person or the healer to recite it frequently, along with the last two chapters of Quran (Al-Mu'awwidhatayn, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas).

In summary, this type of epilepsy (spiritual possession) and its treatment are only denied by those with little knowledge, intellect, and understanding. Most of the influence of malicious spirits over people is due to their lack of religious adherence, the emptiness of their hearts and tongues from Allah’s remembrance, protective supplications, and the spiritual and prophetic defenses. When the evil spirit finds a person defenseless, sometimes even exposed, it can easily influence him. If the veils were lifted, we would see that most human souls are captive to these malicious spirits, under their control, and driven by them wherever they wish. These spirits cause a more severe type of possession, from which the person will only awaken upon departing this world and witnessing the reality. Only then will they realize they had truly been possessed. And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

The treatment for this type of possession (or affliction) involves aligning sound intellect with faith in what the messengers brought, keeping Paradise and Hell constantly in view, and making them the direction of the heart. The afflicted person should reflect upon the people of this world and observe how calamities and misfortunes befall them, raining down like showers upon their lands. They are like the unconscious, overcome by their afflictions, unable to awaken.

This type of “possession” (spiritual ignorance or misguidance) is severe, but because it is so widespread—so much so that everyone seems afflicted by it—it no longer appears unusual or alarming. In fact, due to the prevalence of those “possessed,” the opposite (spiritual awareness and clarity) has become the rarity that stands out.

Chapter: Epilepsy Caused by Bodily Humors

This type of epilepsy (caused by bodily humors) is an ailment that partially restricts the body’s ability to function, move, and maintain balance. The cause is a thick, viscous humor that partially obstructs the brain’s ventricles, preventing full sensory and motor functions, although it does not completely block them. Other possible causes include trapped, thick air in the pathways of the spirit, foul vapors rising to the brain from other organs, or a sharp quality that causes the brain to contract in an attempt to expel the irritant. This leads to muscle spasms throughout the body, making it impossible for the person to remain upright, and it often results in frothing at the mouth.

This condition is considered an acute disease due to the pain it causes when it occurs. However, it may also be classified as chronic, as it often persists for a long time and is difficult to cure, especially if it occurs after the age of twenty-five. This form of epilepsy affects the brain, particularly its core, and tends to be permanent.

In light of this, the woman mentioned in the Hadith, who suffered from seizures and would become exposed during the epileptic attacks, might have had this type of epilepsy. The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم promised her Paradise if she endured this affliction with patience. He prayed for her so that she would not be exposed and offered her a choice between patience and Paradise or his prayer for her healing without a guarantee. She chose patience and Paradise.

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