The Role of Sufi Practice Zikr-e-Qalbi in Countering Sorcery

Authors

  • Kausar Mati M.Phil Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Dr. Saadia Abid Assistant professor Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33195/journal.v5i1.386

Abstract

Sorcery or kaala jadu[i] in the local language is a debatable yet broadly discussed topic in many areas of Pakistan. Numerous curative practices have been adopted to counter its effects. Despite known for causing problems in personal lives yet sorcery related practices along with the curative methods are not explicitly discussed by the people in Pakistan due to interplay social and cultural factors. The present research focuses on exploring the association of sorcery with the Sufi practice of Zikr-e-Qalbi as a healing technique that could be used as a way to ward off negative effects of sorcery. The Sufi practices and other related rituals are not uncommon in Pakistan because spiritual problems are highly acknowledged as well as accepted. An anthropological study had been carried out in Dar-ul-Irfan Chakwal in 2015-2016. The data was primarily collected through in depth interviews via snowball and purposive sampling method. The research findings suggest that Zikr-e-Qalbi acts as a subtle positive energy with curative benefits and it could be adopted as one of the healing techniques for sorcery. The study also assists in exploring the Sufi healing process besides uncovering the effects of sorcery that are projected in physical, mental and spiritual forms in a victim’s life.

Keywords: Zikr-e-Qalbi, Sufi meditation, Sorcery, Sufi healing, Zikr.

Published

2021-12-27