Among certain Islamic Sufi orders, there exists a ritual known as “Darb al-Shish” (literally “striking with a skewer”), where participants, often devotees or petitioners are pierced with metal skewers, knives, or other sharp objects through their cheeks, abdomen, or limbs without apparent injury or bleeding. These ceremonies sometimes also involve walking on hot coals or even handling live snakes.
While such practices may seem shocking to outsiders, they are part of a larger tradition of devotional exercises aimed at transcending the physical self and demonstrating spiritual fortitude. Similar phenomena are observed in other cultures, such as the Hindu Thaipusam festival or certain Shamanic rituals, suggesting this is not exclusive to Islamic Sufism.
The Ritual Experience: A Glimpse Inside
Western anthropologist Powell Edell documented his experience attending a Qadiriya Sufi ritual in Iraq. The ceremony began with slow, rhythmic drumming and chants of phrases like “God is Alive.” Dervishes, followers of the Sufi path, formed a circle, swaying, bowing, and entering a trance-like state as the music's tempo increased.
In this heightened state of spiritual ecstasy, a participant was seen piercing his abdomen with a skewer. Others placed blades against their throats or heads, apparently impervious to pain or injury. Despite the seemingly gruesome nature of these acts, no bleeding occurred, and participants displayed no signs of distress.
Such gatherings often attract thousands of devotees, especially during major Islamic festivals. High-ranking Sufi Sheikhs, their disciples, and even international guests come to witness or participate in these displays, which are believed to manifest divine blessings or baraka.
Scientific and Psychological Explanations
Several hypotheses attempt to explain how participants endure such physical feats without apparent harm:
1- Altered States of Consciousness & Sensory Dulling
Through rhythmic chanting, music, and repetitive movement, practitioners may enter a trance-like state, akin to deep meditation or hypnosis. This can dull the perception of pain by overriding normal sensory pathways and activating the autonomic nervous system.
2- Physiological Responses
Elevated adrenaline levels during the ritual could induce vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to pierced areas and preventing bleeding. Additionally, heightened gastric secretions in such states may interact with the vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve), altering pain signals and further numbing sensations.
3- Traditional Sleight of Hand & Physical Conditioning
Skeptics argue that some feats might involve stagecraft, using precise techniques to avoid vital organs, as well as conditioning the skin and body to withstand such acts. Historical parallels include fakirs, fire-walkers, and sword-swallowers employing similar methods.
4- Spiritual or Psychosomatic Interpretations
For believers, these acts are not mere stunts but expressions of divine grace. They see the body as a vessel transcended by spiritual power, with pain perceived as an illusion when one is immersed in devotional ecstasy.
Theological Criticism & Controversy
Despite its popularity in certain circles, the practice of Darb al-Shish is highly controversial within Islamic scholarship. Prominent scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Alusi have denounced such rituals, labeling them as innovations (bid'ah) and even associating them with sorcery or demonic influence.
They argue that early Sufi masters like Ahmed Al-Rifai and Abdul Qadir Al-Kilani—whose names are often invoked during these ceremonies—never practiced or endorsed such acts. According to these scholars, genuine Sufism emphasizes spiritual purification, not physical spectacle, and the extreme displays seen in some gatherings are distortions of true teachings.
A Phenomenon Between Belief and Physiology
Whether seen as miraculous manifestations of faith, psychosomatic phenomena, or skilled physical acts, the Darb al-Shish ritual remains a striking example of the complex interplay between mind, body, and belief.
It challenges our understanding of pain, endurance, and the boundaries of human experience. For anthropologists, neuroscientists, and spiritual seekers alike, it poses a fascinating question:
“How much of our reality is shaped by belief, and where does faith end and physiology begin?”
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