In society, a common negative perception exists: “The perfect guide is not necessary, what is necessary is complete faith.” This means that only if you have full confidence in a method of healing will its miracles manifest for you; otherwise, they will not. Therefore, to receive healing, it is essential to place blind faith in the treatment or method, believing that this is the only way you will be cured or have your wishes fulfilled. This is known as the placebo effect, which is what fake Sufi shrines profit from daily by exploiting people’s blind faith.
So, what exactly is a placebo? In the field of science, a placebo refers to an inactive substance or material used by researchers in studies to understand the potential effects of a new drug or treatment on a specific condition.
For example, in a study, some people are given a new drug to reduce cholesterol, and others are given a placebo, which is a harmless pill with no active ingredients. The participants are kept unaware of whether they received the real treatment or the placebo. Afterward, researchers compare the effects of the drug and placebo to determine the drug’s effectiveness and side effects. Research has shown that many placebo treatments have effects similar to real medications, making them an effective method of treatment.
On a psychological level, a placebo has a chemical effect because positive thinking amplifies its impact. When a person believes that a particular treatment or remedy will work, the cells in their body, which may not be functioning properly, are activated. The placebo effect represents the strong connection between the brain and the body. When your brain receives the message that a medicine or charm will cure you, it triggers changes in your body through the brain that yield beneficial results. Thus, the placebo effect serves as a psychological treatment that can alleviate conditions like depression, stress, and various other illnesses, all starting with complete trust.
Psychological disorders often stem from mental stress, which, after a certain point, manifests physically. Hysteria, now known as “conversion disorder” in psychology, occurs when mental stress transforms into physical symptoms. These symptoms may include sudden collapses, contorted hands and feet, the head turning far back, frothing at the mouth, and strange noises. Since these events happen unconsciously, the person is unaware of what is happening. These symptoms are a result of severe depression, and since women are generally more sensitive than men, they are more likely to suffer from these symptoms. These issues are often linked to supernatural causes by society, and fake Sufi shrines make a profit by promoting this idea. Their first step is to reference religion and use it. Most of the public blindly trust religious leaders, without questioning what is happening in the name of religion. As a result, people are given fake blessed water or traditional remedies under the placebo method, with the belief that they will be cured. Additionally, family members are advised to be more compassionate and cautious, which helps alleviate the mental stress. These two factors can significantly help the person recover, and the fake Sufi then gains the title of “perfect guide.”
In the placebo treatment method, fake medicines, talismans, and various chants are used by practitioners, and they are somewhat effective because they tap into a natural ability of the human body to promote mental and physical healing.
The Quran is undeniably a book of healing and guidance. As it says in Surah Al-Isra, “And We reveal in the Quran what is healing and mercy for the believers” (17:82). The true healing of the Quran is for spiritual ailments. By understanding and reading this book, we can correct our beliefs and heal our spiritual diseases. While the Quran also contains cures for physical ailments, these are only effective in cases supported by authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), such as his statement about Surah Al-Fatiha being a cure. Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) affirmed that the verses of Surah Al-Mu’awwidhat (Al-Falaq, Al-Nas) are effective in curing ailments such as magic and envy, and other Quranic verses have also been considered sources of healing. However, this was specific to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and was not meant for anyone else to claim authority over prescribing Quranic verses for healing. After the Prophet’s time, no one has the authority to propose Quranic verses as treatments on their own.
Unfortunately, there is much carelessness in how the Quran is used in this context. Many so-called “Sufi guides” suggest Quranic verses to individuals, but when you read their translations, you’ll find that the verses have meanings unrelated to the person’s illness or concerns. The real purpose of the Quran is to cleanse the heart from the disease of shirk (polytheism). Shirk is the incurable disease that can only be healed by reading the Quran with understanding. Sadly, we Muslims have overlooked this purpose and continue to misuse the Quran for worldly gains, engaging in rituals at shrines and other superstitions, thus further indulging in shirk.
As Muslims, our complete faith should be in the One Almighty God. This faith will manifest in our lives, and no supernatural force or entity can harm us.
