Nyai Rosidah’s Viral Rukiah Online Sessions on TikTok Spark Controversy Among Netizens
Nyai Rosidah, a woman from Kabupaten Cianjur, has been making waves on TikTok with her online rukiah services. With 237 thousand followers, she has been conducting remote rukiah sessions for her patients, a departure from traditional methods.
A New Approach to Spiritual Healing
Unlike conventional rukiah practices, Nyai Rosidah performs her rituals solely through live sessions on TikTok. In a video viewed over a million times, she is seen helping a woman believed to be under a spell. With intense focus, the woman is thought to be possessed by supernatural forces sent by others. On-screen, Nyai Rosidah engages directly with the patient, even appearing to challenge the “entity” controlling the woman’s body. After reciting specific prayers, the woman reportedly regains consciousness and returns to normalcy. Nyai Rosidah claims that a “spiritual snake” previously coiled around the patient’s body was removed through her rukiah.
Skepticism and Humorous Takes
Despite Nyai Rosidah’s growing popularity, many netizens remain skeptical about the effectiveness of her methods. Questions have been raised about the feasibility of spiritual treatments like rukiah without face-to-face interactions. Comments such as, “Is this real or just a hoax? I’m curious but also skeptical. Can I try it to believe it?” reflect the mixed reactions from online audiences.
Some users have taken a more light-hearted approach, using Nyai Rosidah’s sessions as inspiration for comedic content. In one video circulating online, a user pretends to be possessed during a video call with Nyai Rosidah, only to abruptly snap out of character when a delivery person knocks on the door. This unexpected moment of levity has led some to question the authenticity of online rukiah sessions, with one user joking, “Only the delivery person can chase away the spirits.”
The Controversy Surrounding Rukiah as an Alternative Healing Practice
Despite the controversy surrounding Nyai Rosidah, rukiah remains a recognized alternative healing practice in Islam. Rukiah syar’iyyah involves reciting verses and prayers to treat possession, witchcraft, and other ailments. This aligns with a hadith that states, “When the Prophet complained of an ailment, he would blow over himself and pass his hand over his body. If his pain increased, I would perform rukiah for him by reciting verses and wiping his body with his right hand, seeking the blessings.”
