The Performative Power of the Quran: A Phenomenological Study of I'jaz Ta'thiri in Ruqyah Shar'iyyah Practices in Bandung, West Java

Abstract

This study investigates I'jaz Ta'thiri, understood as the miraculous or transformative influence of the Qur’an, within the perspective of the Living Quran, particularly through the subjective experiences of patients undergoing Ruqyah Shar'iyyah in Bandung, West Java. Employing a qualitative research design and phenomenological approach, the study explores how individuals from different social and professional backgrounds—including musicians, academics, and housewives—experience and interpret the Qur’an during ruqyah practices. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews and analyzed to identify patterns in participants’ experiences and meanings. The research demonstrates that the Qur’an is perceived not only as a sacred text to be read and understood but also as a performative force that operates within embodied, psychological, and spiritual experiences. Three principal dimensions of its influence were identified. First, somatic resonance refers to bodily responses experienced by participants, including sensations and perceived physical healing that occurred without direct medical intervention. Second, metaphysical visualization describes intense inner experiences, such as memories or flashbacks related to past sins and symbolic visions of Nur (divine light), which participants associated with their spiritual condition. Third, psychospiritual transformation reflects profound changes in emotional and spiritual states, particularly the movement from anxiety, fear, and inner unrest toward tranquility and Sakinah. These findings indicate that Ruqyah Shar'iyyah practices in Bandung provide a significant example of the Living Quran, in which Qur’anic verses become dynamically integrated into lived religious experiences. The Qur’an consequently functions as an active source of physical, psychological, and spiritual transformation, demonstrating how its meaning and power are continuously constructed through embodied religious practice and individual experience.