A Double-Movement Hermeneutic of Qur’anic Healing Verses and Their Relevance to Anxiety Disorders
Studies on the Qur’anic concept of shifāʾ have predominantly emphasized ritual practices and physical healing, leaving its relevance to contemporary psychological disorders—particularly anxiety—largely underexplored. This study re-examines selected shifāʾ verses (Qur’an 9:14–15 and 41:44) through a contextual hermeneutical framework, employing Fazlur Rahman’s double-movement theory to uncover their psychological significance for anxiety management. Adopting a qualitative-descriptive design, the research applies content analysis to reconstruct the historical-moral meanings of the verses and to recontextualize their ethical-spiritual principles within contemporary theories of emotion regulation and cognitive reappraisal. Primary data are drawn from the Qur’anic text and classical as well as modern exegetical works, complemented by contemporary scholarship in Islamic psychology and empirical studies on dhikr and ruqyah practices. The findings indicate that the shifāʾ verses articulate a coherent model of emotional healing, encompassing affective stabilization, spiritual tranquility, psychological resilience, and the release of negative emotional states—dimensions that functionally correspond to core mechanisms of cognitive-behavioral therapy in addressing anxiety. This study proposes an integrative interpretive framework that positions Qur’anic insights as a form of complementary psychospiritual support for mental health, thereby extending the interdisciplinary dialogue between Qur’anic studies, therapeutic practice, and modern psychological approaches.
Agorastos, A., Demiralay, C., & Huber, C. G. (2014). Influence of religious aspects and personal beliefs on psychological behavior: Focus on anxiety disorders. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 93–101. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S43666
Alyahya, N. M., & Alanazi, S. (2024). Spiritual care for clients with mental illness from an Islamic background: Nursing students’ perspectives. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 31(6), 998–1006. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.13054
Asrori, A., & Hasanat, N. ui. (2022). Terapi Kognitif Perilaku Intuk Mengatasi Gangguan Kecemasan Sosial. Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi Terapan, 3(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.22219/jipt.v3i1.2128
Assenang, S., Noupal, M., Ilyas, D., Tasawuf dan Psikoterapi, P., Ushuluddin dan Pemikiran Islam, F., & Raden Fatah Palembang, U. (2024). Aktivitas Mengamalkan Ayat-Ayat Syifa’ (Obat) dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kesembuhan Jasmani pada Wanita Pra Lansia di Desa Ulak Teberau. Jurnal Riset Agama, 4(1), 67–80. https://doi.org/10.15575/jra.v4i1.34115
Az-Zuhaili, W. (2013). Wahbah Az Zuhaili, At-Tafsir Al-Munir: Fi Al-Aqidah Wa Al-Syarii’ah Wa Al-Manhaj (alih bahasa Abdul Hayyie Al Kattani, dkk). Tafsir Al-Munir: Aqidah, Syariah Dan Manhaj Jilid 12. 246.
Babamohamadi, H., Kadkhodaei-Elyaderani, H., Ebrahimian, A., & Ghorbani, R. (2020). The Effect of Spiritual Care Based on the Sound Heart Model on the Spiritual Health of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(5), 2638–2653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01003-w
bin Saibin, M. R., & bin Khoza, M. F. (2024). Psychospiritual Well-Being Through Understanding I’jaz Al-Qur’an. Quranica, 16(1), 83–105. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85217004032&partnerID=40&md5=fa06a4b58869221f5330da4baff4bdf8
Che Wan Mohd Rozali, W. N. A., Ishak, I., Mat Ludin, A. F., Ibrahim, F. W., Abd Warif, N. M., & Che Roos, N. A. (2022). The Impact of Listening to, Reciting, or Memorizing the Quran on Physical and Mental Health of Muslims: Evidence From Systematic Review. International Journal of Public Health, 67. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604998
Che Zarrina, S., Sharifah Basirah, S. M., & Mohd Manawi, M. A. (2021). Al-Halu’ (Kecelaruan Kebimbangan) dan Perbahasannya Serta Hubungannya dengan Psikologi Islam. Jurnal Usuluddin, 49(2), 135–169. https://doi.org/10.22452/usuluddin.vol49no2.5
Choudhary, A. K., & Abirami, R. (2025). Spirituality and Medicine in the USA, Europe, and the UK: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Integrative Approaches to Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Health Outcomes. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02438-9
Dalmia, H., Bhattacharjee, S., & Calia, C. (2023). Cultural adaptation of CBT as a human rights issue: A UK study. Clinical Psychology Forum, 1(369), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpscpf.2023.1.369.75
Draganović, S., Hasanović, M., Oruč, B., & Pervan, A. (2025). Islamic Psychological Therapy Interventions Applied by Mental Health Practitioners: A Qualitative Study. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, 10(1), 47–67. https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1340227
Fitra, A. A. (2025). Kesehatan Mental dan Spiritualitas: Bagaimana Konsep Al-Qur’an Menghadapi Krisis Psikologis Era Kontemporer? 4(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.58363/alfahmu.v4i1.281
Hall, G. C. N., Ibaraki, A. Y., Huang, E. R., Marti, C. N., & Stice, E. (2016). A meta-analysis of cultural adaptations of psychological interventions. Behavior Therapy, 47(6), 993–1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.09.005
Hamka. (2015). Tafsir Al-Azhar. Gema Insani.
Hashim, M. (2025). Developmental stages: an Islamic psychology perspective. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 27(4), 534–556. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2024.2439438
Hechehouche, O., Dzulkifli, M. A., & Alias, I. A. (2020). The quranic-based healing through sound and its psychological effect: a review of literature. IIUM Journal of Human Sciences, 2(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.31436/ijohs.v2i2.172
Hussein Rassool, G. (2023). CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON CURRENT STATUS OF SCHOLARSHIP IN ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY – CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. Australian Journal of Islamic Studies, 8(3), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.55831/ajis.v8i3.641
Ibn Kathir, I. (2000). Tafsir ibn Kathir. Dar as-Salam.
Ibnu ‘Asyur, M. al-T. (1997). Tafsir alTahrir wa al-Tanwir. Dar Shuhnun li al-Nasyr wa al-Tauzi’.
Jauharoh, A. (2022). Penggunaan Ayat-ayat Syifa’ pada Ruqyah Tolak Sihir (Studi Kasus pada Ustadz Muhammad Chudlori di Desa Watesari Kecamatan Balongbendo Kabupaten Sidoarjo). Al-Dhikra: Jurnal Studi Quran Dan Hadis, 4(2), 121–132.
Kannan, M. A., Ab Aziz, N. A., Ab Rani, N. S., Abdullah, M. W., Mohd Rashid, M. H., Shab, M. S., Ismail, N. I., Ab Ghani, M. A., Reza, F., & Muzaimi, M. (2022). A review of the holy Quran listening and its neural correlation for its potential as a psycho-spiritual therapy. Heliyon, 8(12), e12308. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12308
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2012(1), 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Kurniawati, A., Sutarno, S., & Sariman, S. (2022). Integration of Islamic spiritual emotional and intellectual education in vocational high schools. Ta Dib Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 11(2), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.29313/tjpi.v11i2.10542
Marzuki, Z. b. M., & Fuad, N. b. A. (2025). Prophetic Model of Islamic Spiritual Care from Muslim Professional Practitioners’ Perspectives: A Systematic Review within the Tibb Nabawi Genre. Intellectual Discourse, 33(3), 967–992. https://doi.org/10.31436/id.v33i3.2230
Mashitah, M. W., & Lenggono, K. A. (2020). Quran recitation therapy reduces the depression levels of hemodialysis patients. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 8(6), 2222. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202271
Mastuty, A., Yulandasari, V., Asmawariza, L. H., Wiresanta, L., & Suhamdani, H. (2022). Pengaruh Dzikir Terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan Pasien Pre Operasi di Ruang IBS (Instalasi Bedah Sentral) RSUD Praya. Jurnal Kesehatan Qamarul Huda, 10(1), 123–127. https://doi.org/10.37824/jkqh.v10i1.2022.308
Masruri, M., Ismail, F. H., Kirin, A., Ibrahim, A. Q., & Misbah, M. (2022). RECITING THE QURAN AND FRIENDSHIP ONLINE AS A METHOD OF POST-COVID-19 SOUL AND MENTAL CARE. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 21(62), 84–99. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85135304543&partnerID=40&md5=b6a1953c9c6cd7ddc708d95a028a7410
Masruri, M., Sahimi, M. S., Karim, A., & Binti Ahmad, S. (2024). ASBAB AL-WURUD AS AN APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF HADITH (MAQASID AL-SUNNAH) IN A WASATIYYAH AND BALANCED WAY THAT IS PRACTICED IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY. Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n9-083
Mawaddah Rofiqoh, L., Zulfa, I., & Nahid Ayad. (2025). Mental Health and Spirituality: Qur’anic Teaching and Approaches to Mental Health in the Modern Era. Al-Fahmu: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 4(1), 82–91. https://doi.org/10.58363/alfahmu.v4i1.246
Menon, S., & Bhagat, V. (2025). Integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy: Establishing EFET as a Credentialed Framework for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes in Anxiety Treatment. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 18(2), 935–943. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00137
Mushtaq, S. B., Ayvaci, E. R., Hashimi, M., & North, C. S. (2020). Bringing Psychiatry into the Mosque: Analysis of a Community Psychoeducation Intervention. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 26(3), 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000464
Naeem, F., Sajid, S., Naz, S., & Phiri, P. (2023). Culturally adapted CBT - The evolution of psychotherapy adaptation frameworks and evidence. Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X2300003X
Nakash, O., Lambez, T., Cohen, M., & Nagar, M. (2019). Religiosity and barriers to mental healthcare: a qualitative study among clients seeking community mental health services. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 22(5), 437–452. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2018.1489377
Nazir, A. (2023). The Effect of Listening to the Holy Qur’an Recitation Therapy onPhysiological Parameters and Neuropsychological Functionsin Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Narrative Reviewfrom Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Point of View. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 21(2), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.32598/irj.21.2.1540.7
Nugraha, A. D. (2020). Memahami Kecemasan: Perspektif Psikologi Islam. IJIP: Indonesian Journal of Islamic Psychology, 2(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijip.v2i1.1-22
Nugroho, K., Kiram, M. Z., & Andriawan, D. (2023). The Influence of Hermeneutics in Double Movement Theory (Critical Analysis of Fazlurrahman’s Interpretation Methodology). QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies, 2(3), 275–289. https://doi.org/10.23917/qist.v2i3.2531
Özaktan, F. (2022). Schleiermachers Psychological Method (Hermeneutics) and Its Possibility of Application to the Qur’ān. Cumhuriyet Ilahiyat Dergisi, 26(2), 823–840. https://doi.org/10.18505/cuid.1153021
Pearce, M. J., Pargament, K. I., Oxhandler, H. K., Vieten, C., & Wong, S. (2019). A novel training program for mental health providers in religious and spiritual competencies. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 6(2), 73. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000195
Qutb, S. (1982). Tafsir Fi Zhilāl al-Qur’ān. Kairo, Dār al-Syuruq.
Rahman, F. (2000). Revival and Reform in Islam: A Study of Islamic Fundamentalism (Ebrahim Moosa (ed.)). Oneworld Publications.
Rassool, G. H., & Keskin, Z. (2025). Positioning the self (nafs) in Islāmic psycho-spirituality. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 27(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2023.2264848
Ratchagan, K., Mohesh, G., Gopathy, S., & Rajagopal, P. (2025). Phytochemical Analysis of Trikatu (Thirukadugam): A Study through Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. Texila International Journal of Public Health, 2025-January(Special Issue). https://doi.org/10.21522/TIJPH.2013.SE.25.01.Art022
Regina, A. (2025). Peran Terapi Kognitif Perilaku dalam Pengelolaan Gangguan Kecemasan Sosial pada Remaja: Tinjauan Literatur. 6(1), 278–286. https://doi.org/10.51849/j-p3k.v6i1.685
Rettig, S., & Hayes, T. (2012). Hermeneutics and discourse analysis in social psychology. In Hermeneutics and Discourse Analysis in Social Psychology. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897310641&partnerID=40&md5=b86b95bbf16203e62260bd5f186fefe3
Rohmanu, A. (2016). Fazlur Rahman dan Teori Penafsiran Double Movement. Laboratorium Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Farmaka Tropis Fakultas Farmasi Universitas Mualawarman, Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur, April, 5–6.
Rois, C., Irfan, A., & Anam, H. (2025). ISLAMIC HIERARCHY OF VALUE: Abdullah Saeed’s progressive interpretation of the Qur’an. Miqot: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman, 49(1), 205–221. https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v49i1.1125
Saeed, A. (2004). Fazlur Rahman: a Framework for Interpreting the Ethico-legal Content of the Qur’an. Modern Muslim Intellectuals and the Qur’an, 37–66.
Saged, A. A. G., Mohd Yusoff, M. Y. Z., Abdul Latif, F., Hilmi, S. M., Al-Rahmi, W. M., Al-Samman, A., Alias, N., & Zeki, A. M. (2020). Impact of Quran in Treatment of the Psychological Disorder and Spiritual Illness. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(4), 1824–1837. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0572-8
Shihab, M. Q. (2003). Tafsir Al-Misbah: Pesan, Kesan, dan Keserasian al-Qur’an. Lentera Hati.
Sismanto, S., & Hamidah, T. (2022). Kajian Ayat-Ayat Syifa dalam Perspektif Tafsir dan Implementasinya dalam Pengobatan Ruqyah. Studia Quranika, 6(2), 161. https://doi.org/10.21111/studiquran.v6i2.5651
Soto, A., Smith, T. B., Griner, D., Domenech Rodríguez, M., & Bernal, G. (2018). Cultural adaptations and therapist multicultural competence: Two meta-analytic reviews. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 1907–1923. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22679
Sugiarto, F. (2025). Integration of Qur’an and Hadith Values as Pedagogical Innovation to Improve the Quality of Islamic Education. QALAMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama, 17(1), 171–184. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v17i1.6817
Sumantri, R. A. (2013). Hermeneutika Al-Qur’an Fazlur Rahman Metode Tafsir. Komunika Jurnal Dakwah Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 7(1), 157. https://doi.org/10.24090/komunika.v7i1.364
Sumarni, S. (2020). Proses Penyembuhan Gejala Kejiwaan Berbasis Islamic Intervention Of Psychology. NALAR: Jurnal Peradaban Dan Pemikiran Islam, 3(2), 134–147. https://doi.org/10.23971/njppi.v3i2.1677
Supena, I. (2024). Epistemology of Tafsīr, Ta’wīl, and Hermeneutics: Towards an Integrative Approach. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 14(1), 121–136. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.141.08
Theberath, M., Bauer, D., Chen, W., Salinas, M., Mohabbat, A. B., Yang, J., Chon, T. Y., Bauer, B. A., & Wahner-Roedler, D. L. (2022). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children and adolescents: A systematic review of survey studies. SAGE Open Medicine, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121221086712
Toprak, T. B. (2024). Rethinking Psycho-Ontology in the Context of Ilm an-Nafs (the Study of Self by Muslim Scholars) and Clinical Applications. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 12(2), 238–266. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000390
Umair, M., & Said, H. A. (2023). Fazlur Rahman dan Teori Double Movement: Definisi dan Aplikasi. Al-Fahmu: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 2(1), 71–81. https://doi.org/10.58363/alfahmu.v2i1.26
Vivalya, B. M. N., Vagheni, M. M., Piripiri, A. L., & Mbeva, J.-B. K. (2025). Religion and mental health seeking behaviors in war-torn zones of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 60(5), 581–594. https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174251316784
Zaman, R. K., Nordin, M. K. N. C., & Nasir, K. (2022). RABBĀNĪ THERAPY IN TREATING NEUROSIS PROBLEM. Afkar, 23(2), 41–74. https://doi.org/10.22452/afkar.vol23no2.2