Spirit possession and exorcism in Islam

Belief in the supernatural—witchcraft, sorcery, magic, ghosts, and demons—in the Muslim world is not marginalized as eccentric or a product of ignorance, but is prevalent among all social classes.

Given the moral ambivalence ascribed to supernatural agents in Islamic tradition, exorcisms can be addressed to both good and evil spirits.

[6] Jinn are thought to be able to enter and physically possess people for various reasons, while devils (shayāṭīn) assault the heart (qalb) and attempt to turn their victims to evil.

Some consider possession to be purely theoretical with no practical application, others consider interference of jinn only under rare circumstances, for example, when summoned by a sorcerer, yet others take it seriously and attribute everyday events to demonic activities.

[9] Mental disorders, such as epilepsy, forgetfulness, schizophrenia,[10] lack of energy, and morbid fears, are often attributed to demonic-possessions and witchcraft.

[6] In that case, the possessed by perform a trance dance (hadra) in order to renew their covenant with their personal jinni.

[28] The devils' sole purpose is to lure both humans and jinn into sinful activities, both minor ones and major ones.

'invocation') refers to the practise of exorcising spirits, jinn, and demons in Islamic tradition and is part of the wider body of the "prophetic medicine".

It is believed that a satanic spirit would refuse to curse their father and can be identified as a devil, much tougher to manage.