ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF ISLAMIC THERAPY AND SORCEROUS HERBAL PRACTICES IN ILORIN EMIRATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Methodology: This study employs a combination of ethnographic and descriptive qualitative methods. Field interviews were conducted with herbal medicine vendors, spiritual practitioners, and Muslim clerics in Ilorin Emirate. The study also incorporates firsthand observations and historical tracing to examine the roots and evolution of sorcerous herbal practices.

Main Findings: The findings reveal a widespread misuse of Islamic elements in the practice of sorcerous herbal medicine among some Ilorin clerics. These practices often include invoking demonic forces, desecrating Qur'anic verses, and using unlawful materials in rituals. While initially rooted in Islamic ethnomedical traditions, contemporary practices have diverged into syncretic forms that contradict Islamic teachings.

Application of this Study: The study recommends the use of Islamic therapy (ruqyah shar‘iyyah) as a valid alternative for spiritual healing. It urges religious authorities and policymakers to take active steps in regulating spiritual healing practices, banning the sale of sorcerous materials, and establishing proper ḥisbah (Islamic enforcement) agencies.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This paper offers a rare ethnographic insight into the intersection of traditional sorcery and Islamic healing within a Muslim-majority context. It critically distinguishes between legitimate Islamic therapy and culturally inherited sorcerous practices disguised as spiritual healing.

Significance: The study contributes to the Islamic reform discourse by providing a theological and practical framework to address and combat the growing misuse of sorcery in Muslim communities. It highlights the dangers of syncretism, especially when practiced by clerics who wield influence over the public.