There is a lot of confusion among Muslims & non-Muslims over the concept of evil eye (الْعَيْنَ). It is something that does not make sense scientifically. However, ask anyone from our previous generations and they will tell you this is true, and unfortunately many of us have experienced it firsthand.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: “The influence of an evil eye is a fact; if anything would precede the destiny it would be the influence of an evil eye, and when you are asked to take bath (as a cure) from the influence of an evil eye, you should take bath.” [Muslim].
What is Evil Eye (الْعَيْنَ)?
The evil eye is an effect that occurs when when an individual looks upon someone else with excessive admiration to the point of envy, or if he/she looks upon something belonging to him/herself with excessive pride. This has a negative effect on the individual being looked in one way or another. The effect can be as little as harm to the object or quality that is being admired of that individual or as extreme as death. The following Hadith illustrates it’s effect:
Story of Sahl ibn Haneef
(IslamQA)
Imam Ahmad, Malik, al-Nasai and Ibn Hibban narrated from Sahl ibn Haneef that the Prophet (PBUH) came out and traveled with him towards Makkah, until they were in the mountain pass of al-Kharar in al-Jahfah. There Sahl ibn Haneef did ghusl (bathed), and he was a handsome white-skinned man with beautiful skin. ‘Amir ibn Rabee’ah, one of Banu ‘Adiyy ibn K’ab looked at him whilst he was doing ghusl and said: “I have never seen such beautiful skin as this, not even the skin of a virgin,” and Sahl fell to the ground. They went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, can you do anything for Sahl, because by Allah he cannot raise his head.” He said, “Do you accuse anyone with regard to him?” They said, “‘Amir ibn Rabee’ah looked at him.” So the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) called ‘Amir and rebuked him strongly. He said, “Why would one of you kill his brother? If you see something that you like, then pray for blessing for him.” Then he said to him, “Wash yourself for him.” So he washed his face, hands, forearms, knees and the sides of his feet, and inside his izaar (lower garment) in the vessel. Then that water was poured over him, and a man poured it over his head and back from behind. He did that to him, then Sahl got up and joined the people and there was nothing wrong with him. Classed as saheeh (authentic) by al-Albani in al-Mishkat.
As is explained in the hadith above, the effect of evil eye can be profound. The Sahabi Sahl ibn Haneef (RA) fell to the ground after ‘Amir ibn Rabee’ah (RA) expressed words of admiration. To which RasulUllah (SA) rebuked ‘Amir ibn Rabee’ah (RA) and accused him wanting to “kill his brother” – indicating that evil eye can cause death as well. Inflicting evil eye on someone is a sin which is why we should be careful admiring someone else or ourselves.
Unfortunately one can also afflict him/herself with evil eye. This happens when one feels too proud of something belonging to him/herself (e.g. car, house, wealth, health, children, talent, other belongings or qualities) without acknowledging that it came from Allah.
Preventing evil eye (on others & oneself)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that if anyone sees something admirable in his brother/sister or something belonging to them, he should pray to Allah to bless his brother/sister with it. This can be done by saying words (with genuine intention) such as:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُ
Transliteration: Allahumma Barak Lahu (Laha for females)
Translation: “O Allah Bless Him/Her”
This is specially applicable when someone gets married:
It was narrated from ‘Aqil bin Abu Talib that he married a woman from Banu Jusham, and they said: “May you live in harmony and have many sons.” He said: “Do not say that, rather say what the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Allahumma barik lahum wa barik ‘alaihim (O Allah, bless them and bestow blessings upon them).’ ” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
To prevent oneself from casting the evil eye upon him/herself, one should say:
مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Transliteration: Ma Shaa Allah, La Quwwata Illa BIllah
Translation: (This is from) What Allah willed; there is no power except with Allah
This should be uttered when admiring something belonging to self (or quality) – again, with genuine intention.
This is mentioned in Surah Al Kahf, verse 39 in the story of the 2 men with the gardens. One of the 2 men became very proud of his garden and began to boast to the other about it and his wealth. He went as far as beginning to disbelieve that his garden could ever perish. The other man, who was righteous, warned him not to disbelieve, and to attribute the good that he has to Allah – otherwise he might lose it all. The warning was not heeded by the first man, and so the garden that he was so proud of became ruined – and he was left lamenting & wishing he had not disbelieved.
Duas to protect oneself against evil eye
One can do perform the morning & evening Adhkar to protect him/herself from the evil eye (and other evils). The Morning, Evening Adhkar are covered extensively in this article. However, in short, the following Surah’s/Dua’s should be recited after every Fajr & Maghrib prayer.
- Ayatul Kursi (3 times)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (3 times)
- Surah Al-Falaq (3 times)
- Surah An-Nas (3 times)
The above Surah’s provide Allah’s protection (and cure) from the evil of magic, jinn, the evil eyes. Surah Al-Falaq & An-Nas were revealed specially for this purpose. This is narrated in the following Hadith:
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek protection against the evil of jinn and the evil eyes till Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas were revealed. After they were revealed, he took to them for seeking Allah’s protection and left everything besides them.
[At- Tirmidhi].
As part of the Adhkar, also recite the following Dua’s seeking protection:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
(Recite this 3 times)
Transliteration: Bismillah illadhi la yadurru ma ‘a ismihi shay’un fi’l-ardi wa la fi’s-samaa’i wa huwa as-samee‘ ul-‘Aleem
Translation: In the name of Allah with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing
اَعـوذُبِكَلِمـاتِ اللّهِ التّـامّـاتِ مِنْ شَـرِّ ما خَلَـق
(Recite this 3 times)
Transliteration: Aoodhu bi kalimaat illaah it-taammaati min sharri ma khalaq
Translation: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created
Other Dua’s that can be recited:
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
Transliteration: Audhu bi kalimati’ llahi’t-tammati min ghadabihi wa iqabihi wa sharri ibadihi wa min hamazati’ sh-shayatin wa an yahdurun.
Translation: I seek refuge with the complete words of Allah from His anger and His punishment and the evil of His slaves, and from the evil suggestions of the shayatin and from their being present (at death).
Khalid Bin Al-Walid was instructed to recite the above Dua when he complained to RasulUllah (PBUH) that he had nightmares as stated in this Hadith.
حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration: Hasbi Allahu la ilaha illa huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa huwa Rabb ul-‘arsh il-‘azeem
Translation: Allaah is sufficient for me, none has the right to be worshipped but He, in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne
To Protect Children Against Evil Eye – The Dua of Ibraheem (AS)
The following dua is to be recited for children to protect them from evil eye and other evils.
أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لاَمَّةٍ
Transliteration: Uidhukima bi kalimatil-lahil- tammati, min kulli shaitanin wa hammah, wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah
Translation: I seek refuge for you both in the Perfect Words of Allah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye
RasulUllah (PBUH) would recite them upon his grandchildren Al-Hasan & Al-Hussain (RA) as stated in this hadith:
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain and say: “Your forefather (i.e. Abraham) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Ishmael and Isaac by reciting the following: ‘O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye.’ ”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 3371]
Cure from evil eye (& other afflictions such as jinn & magic)
As is stated in the Hadith above of Sahl ibn Haneef, if someone unintentionally casts the evil eye on someone else, the one who cast the evil eye should make Wudhu and wash him/herself and pour the same water on the one who is affected by the evil eye. As is mentioned in the Hadith, this cures the effect of evil eye.
Ruqyah
Ruqyah can also be done upon someone when they are afflicted with the evil eye.
Narrated ‘Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me or somebody else to do Ruqyah (if there was danger) from an evil eye. [Bukhari]
Jibril (AS) would recite the dua of Ruqyah upon him when RasulUllah (PBUH) fell ill [Sunan Ibn Majah]. The Dua is as follows:
بِاسْمِ اللهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ أَوْ عَيْنِ حَاسِدٍ، اللهُ يَشْفِيكَ بِاسْمِ اللهِ أَرْقِيكَ
Transliteration: Bismillahi arqika, min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘aynin aw hasidin. Allahu yashfika, bismillahi arqika
Translation: In the Name of Allah. I recite over you [for purpose of healing] from all that troubles you, from the evil of every soul or of the eye of an envier. May Allah cure you; with the Name of Allah, I recite over you [for purpose of healing].
To perform Ruqyah (on oneself or someone else) recite the following:
- The Dua of Ruqyah above (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surat Al-Fatiha (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Ayatul Kursi (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Last two ayaat of Surat al Baqarah (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah Al-Falaq (3, 5, or 7 times)
- Surah An-Nas (3, 5, or 7 times)
- If the affliction is from magic instead of evil eyes, recite verses of sihr-magic (one or more of the following sets of verses) from the Quran (3, 5, or 7 times)
After reciting these, dry spittle into a generous quantity of water (a bottle or more) & drink from it throughout the day & also wash from it or bathe in it. It is preferable to use Zam Zam, but any drinkable water is fine.
Can amulets and charms offer protection from the evil eye?
Many Muslims keep amulets (also known as taaweez), with verses from the Quran written on them. While keeping verses of the Quran on oneself is perfectly permissible, one should not expect to be protected simply by virtue of having the verses of the Quran on them. Rather protection should be sought from Allah by reciting the verses with sincerity.
But the more dangerous practice (that is in common use in some Muslim countries unfortunately) is the use of amulets that contain magic charms. This is the equivalent of seeking refuge in evil from evil. Not only is this dangerous & forbidden, but doing so is an act of Kufr (disbelief). Practicing or using magic i.e. witchcraft is an act of Kufr. One loses his/her Deen by doing so.
Ruwaifi’ bin Thabit said:
“The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: ‘O Ruwaifi’, you may live for a long time after me, so tell the people that whoever ties up his beard, or twists it, or hangs an amulet, or cleans himself (after relieving himself) with animal dung or bones, Muhammad has nothing to do with him.'” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
Conclusion
It is best to prevent & take precautions against the evil eye before it happens. One should only seek protection from Allah. Doing this also reinforces our tawakkul (putting one’s trust) in Allah. May Allah keep us all safe from our own evils and from the evils of His creations.
