Exploring the Beliefs and Perceptions on Mental Illness And the Practice of Ruqya (Quran Healing and Psychotherapy) Among Somali Muslims in Nairobi

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health related illnesses have tremendously increased among members of different religions and cultures depending on where they are located either working, travelling or refugees especially where their religion is a minority. The conceptualization of mental illness in Islam can be drawn from the Quran itself. Ruqya is an Islamic therapeutic supplication modality using verses from the Quran or Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad for the purpose of healing. Objectives: The main objective was to explore, the beliefs and perceptions on mental illness and the practice of Ruqya a Quran based healing and psychotherapy in the treatment of mental illness among the Eastleigh Somali Community in Nairobi. Methodology: The phenomenological design was used in which the individual experience(s) of the participants was sought. It was a qualitative research approach that sought to understand and describe the universal essence of a phenomenon. A total of 90 participants were purposely selected and they consented to participate in the study in focused group discusssions comprising 72 participants and the key informant interview comprising of 18 participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Study established that knowledge on mental health disease and its causes was high among the Eastleigh Somali community, among the most common causes of mental illnesses treated by Ruqya healers were black magic (sihr), Evil eye (ain) and Jinn possession. The most common mental illnesses were stress, depression and demon 12 possession (ruxan). Among the Somali community, the study established ruqya therapy deeply rooted because it’s founded on Isalamic religious beliefs. Conclusion and recommendation: Knowledge on mental illness and its causes was high among Eastleigh Somali community and they prefered Ruqya therapy where religious beliefs are observed. There is need for policy on training and qualifications of Ruqya healers to raise confidence among Somali community as well as sensitization of community on mental health illness to curb stigma and create awareness on mental health. Issues of hygiene and comfortable environment within the Rukya centres need also to be addressed. There is also the need for sensitization of the community on mental health to curb stigma and create health seeking awareness