SPIRITUAL MEDICINE IN SHIʿI THOUGHT: A DOCTRINAL STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the concept of “spiritual medicine” in Shiʿi thought, understood as a doctrinal system grounded in seeking intercession (tawassul) through the Imams and invoking blessings from their relics—such as the use of ṭurba ḥusaynīyya (soil from the grave of Husayn), ḥirz (amulets), talismans, and supplications attributed to them. This healing model integrates spiritual elements (prayer, Qur’anic verses) with material symbols (coded texts or sacred objects), and affirms the role of the Imams as intermediaries between God and believers, possessing the power to perform miraculous healings. The research draws on foundational Shiʿi texts such as al-Kāfī, Kāmil al-Ziyārāt, and others, which recount instances of incurable illnesses cured through the touch or prayer of an Imam—including cases of blindness and paralysis—thus reinforcing the Shiʿi doctrines of the Imams’ infallibility (ʿiṣma) and their connection to the unseen. Special attention is given to the sacred use of ṭurba ḥusaynīyya, which is prescribed under strict conditions: it must be used in small quantities, accompanied by specific invocations. The study also addresses the controversies surrounding certain practices—such as the use of talismans containing unintelligible phrases—often criticized by opponents of Shiʿism for their perceived association with sorcery or superstition. However, Shiʿi jurisprudence strictly prohibits magic, while permitting ruqyah (healing incantations) grounded in the Qur’an and authenticated supplications. The paper concludes that spiritual medicine in Shiʿi Islam is not merely a healing technique, but a marker of sectarian identity. It departs from other Islamic traditions by rejecting the sharp distinction between prophetic miracles (muʿjizāt) and saintly karāmāt, attributing miracles to the Imams to affirm their divine designation. Despite criticism, these practices remain a vital component of Shiʿi heritage, linking collective historical memory—particularly of Karbala—to contemporary religious expression.