<![CDATA[The resurgence of complementary and alternative medicine, particularly spiritual healing, has gained significant public traction amid growing dissatisfaction with conventional medical outcomes. Within Islamic tradition, ruqyah—recitation of Qur’anic verses and prophetic supplications—serves as a lawful healing method, yet its practice is often distorted by syncretic elements. This study aims to explore the emergence, forms, and public interest in ruqyah-based alternative treatment as performed by Pak Khotibi in Ajung Village, Jember. Employing a qualitative phenomenological case study approach, data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using grounded research and critical hermeneutics. The findings reveal that Pak Khotibi’s practice arose from spiritual calling, ascetic discipline (riyadlah), and a commitment to affordable care for the economically disadvantaged. The treatment involves reciting prayers over water sourced from a site associated with nine walis, applying or administering it to patients. Public enthusiasm is driven by media exposure, low cost, perceived efficacy, and a post-recovery “locking” ritual. The study concludes that Pak Khotibi’s method aligns with ruqyah syar’iyyah, which is permissible in Islam, and recommends greater public discernment to distinguish sharia-compliant practices from syncretic deviations. Maraknya pengobatan alternatif berbasis spiritual semakin diminati masyarakat seiring dengan ketidakpuasan terhadap pengobatan medis konvensional. Dalam tradisi Islam, ruqyah—pembacaan ayat Al-Qur’an dan doa Rasulullah—merupakan metode penyembuhan yang diperbolehkan, namun praktiknya kerap terdistorsi dengan unsur sinkretisme. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji latar belakang, bentuk, dan faktor antusiasme masyarakat terhadap pengobatan ruqyah yang dilakukan Pak Khotibi di Desa Ajung, Jember. Dengan pendekatan kualitatif fenomenologi studi kasus, data dikumpulkan melalui observasi partisipan, wawancara mendalam, dan dokumentasi, lalu dianalisis menggunakan grounded research dan hermeneutika kritis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa praktik Pak Khotibi muncul dari panggilan hati nurani, riyadlah, dan kepedulian pada masyarakat ekonomi lemah. Bentuk pengobatan meliputi pembacaan doa atas air yang diambil dari tempat pertemuan sembilan wali, lalu dioleskan atau diminumkan. Antusiasme masyarakat dipicu oleh media informasi, biaya murah, manfaat kesembuhan, dan ritual pengunci pasca-sembuh. Kesimpulannya, pengobatan ini tergolong ruqyah syar’iyyah yang dibolehkan Islam, dan direkomendasikan agar masyarakat lebih jeli membedakan ruqyah sesuai syariat dengan yang menyimpang. ]]>
