Vocal Maqamat: Voice as Behavioral Healing for the Soul

This article explores vocal maqamat as a behavioral and existential practice rather than a purely musical or aesthetic system. It argues that the human voice, when consciously guided by specific maqamat, functions as an active behavioral mechanism that allows emotional expression, regulation, and internal reorganization. By examining two representative examples—Maqam Ṣabā as an expression of sorrow and inner complaint, and Maqam Rāst as an expression of strength and dignity—the article demonstrates how vocal expression, particularly in Qur’anic recitation, enables the individual to articulate emotional states without direct verbalization. From the perspective of the Existential Behavioral School, maqamat are presented as a deep human language through which the soul communicates, releases emotional pressure, and restores inner balance, transforming voice from performance into meaningful behavioral healing.