Sacred tone: the spiritual and psychoacoustic dimensions of the Arabic maqamat / Raja Zulkarnain Raja Yusof

Arabic maqāmāt (singular: maqām) form the foundational modal system of traditional Arabic music, characterized by intricate microtonal structures and distinct melodic progressions. Historically, maqāmāt have been deeply intertwined with Islamic spirituality, mystical traditions, and music therapy, serving as a conduit for transcendental experiences and psychological transformation. This study employs a mixed- methods approach, integrating historical analysis, ethnographic case studies, and a synthesis of contemporary research in cognitive musicology to examine the psychoacoustic, spiritual, and therapeutic dimensions of maqāmāt. By bridging perspectives from music cognition, Islamic sound studies, and neuroscience, this research investigates how maqāmāt induce altered states of consciousness, influence neural activity, and contribute to healing practices in both traditional and contemporary contexts. Findings reveal that the microtonal properties and non-equidistant intervals of maqāmāt engage neural mechanisms associated with emotion, memory, and meditative states, as supported by fMRI studies on microtonal perception. This study contributes to a growing discourse on the intersection of music, spirituality, and cognitive science, demonstrating maqāmāt’s enduring role in shaping emotional and spiritual experiences.