Evil Eye in Islam

The evil eye refers to when one person harms another by means of the eye.


Ibn Al-Qayyim said: The origin of the evil eye is liking something, then the evil soul follows it,  pursues it and seeks to do harm to it, seeking help to apply its poison by looking at the object. *1*

Ibn Manzoor said: It is said “So-and-so was struck by the evil eye” if an enemy or an envious person looks at him and he is affected by that and becomes sick as a result. *2*

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: What is meant by the evil eye is looking at something with admiration contaminated with envy from one who is evil in nature so it results in harm.*3*

It basically involves the work of a demon. When a person likes something and admires it, an evil jinn tries to destroy that thing as a result of envy. It is more effective when the person who admires is more envious, or when the person is of bad nature.

A bad person is more likely to be loved by evil jinn. Therefore, if such a person likes something, the evil jinn would seek to destroy it because they would never want that person to admire anything other than bad things.This confirms a type of evil eye that is struck by the jinn themselves. Likewise a jinn likes something and another jinn then seeks to do harm to it.

Evidence from the Qur’aan

(i) The Verse in Soorah Yoosuf:

“And he said: ‘O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allaah at all. Verily, the decision rests only with Allaah. In Him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.'”
(Yoosuf 12:67)

The majority of Mufassireen are agreed that the brothers of Yoosuf were handsome and good looking, and Ya’qoob feared that the people might affect them with the evil eye, for the evil eye is something real.*1*

(ii) The Verse in Soorah Qalam:

“And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes (through hatred) when they hear the Reminder (the Qur’aan), and they say: “Verily, he (Muhammad) is a madman!” But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)’”. (Al-Qalam 68:51-52)

Ibn ‘Abbaas, Mujaahid and others said: “Make you slip with their eyes” means, they will put the evil eye on you. This Verse is evidence that the effect and impact of the evil eye is something real and happens by Allaah’s will. *2*

Evidence from the Sunnah

(i)    It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah said:
“The evil eye is real,” and he forbade tattoos. *3*

(ii)    It was narrated from ‘A’ishah that the Prophet said:

“Seek refuge with Allaah from the evil eye, for the evil eye is real” *4*

(iii)    It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah said:

“The evil eye is real and if anything were to overtake the divine decree, the evil eye would do so. If you are asked to wash (to treat someone for the effects of the evil eye) then do so.” *5*

(iv)    It was narrated that Asma’ bint ‘Umays said: “O Messenger of Allaah, the sons of Ja’far are smitten with the evil eye; should I recite Ruqya for them?” He said: “Yes, for if anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye.” *6*

(v)    It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas  said: The Messenger of Allaah  said:
“The evil eye is real and can bring down a person from a high mountain.” *7*

(vi)    It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah said: The Messenger of Allaah said: “Most of those who die of my Ummah, after the will and decree of Allaah, will die because of the evil eye.” *8*

An Incident from the times of the Prohphet (pbuh)

Imam Ahmad, Al-Nasaa’i, and Ibn Maajah nar-rated, in a report that was classed as Sahih by Ibn Hibbaan, that Abu Umaamah Sahl ibn Haneef said: Abu Sahl ibn Haneef did Ghusl in Al- Kharaar. He took off his cloak, and ‘Aamir ibn Rabee’ah was looking at him. Sahl was very white, with beautiful skin.

‘Aamir said: “I have never seen anything (as beautiful) as this, not even the skin of a virgin.”
And Sahl fell to the ground and became very sick. The Messenger of Allaah was told about his sickness, and it was said to him: “He cannot raise his head”.

He said: “Do you accuse anyone with regard to him?”

They said, “’Aamir ibn Rabee’ah” The Messenger of Allaah called him and rebuked him strongly, and then he said:

“Why would one of you kill his brother? Why did you not pray for blessing for him? Wash yourself for him”

So ‘Aamir washed his face, hands, forearms, knees and the sides of his feet, and inside his Izaar (lower garment) in a vessel, then it was poured over him from behind, and Sahl recovered straight away. *9*

Courtesy of Wahid ibn ‘Abdus Salaam Baali & Nasiruddin Al-Khattab. JazakAllahu Khairan.
References,

*1* Tafseer Ibn Katheer -Al-Tabari – Al-Qurtubi – Al-Aloosi- Al- Suyooti — Al-Fakhr Al-Raazi
*2* Ibn Khatheer, 4/408.

*3* Fath Al-Baari, 10/203; Sahih Muslim, Baab Al-Tibb; Abu Dawood, 3879.

*4* Ibn Maajah, Baab Al-Tibb; Al-Haakim, Al-Mustadrak. Confirmed as Sahih by Al-Albaani (r)

*5* Sahih Muslim, Kitaab Al-Salaam. Al-Tirmidhi, 3063. Sahih by Al-Albaani in Sahih Al-Jaami’, 5163.

*6* Al-Tirmidhi, 2059, Sahih by Al-Albaani (r) in Sahih Al-Jaami’, 5/67, 5662.

*7* Musnad Ahmad; Al-Tabaraani; Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrak. According to Al-Albaani (r): It is Hasan.

*8* Narrated by Al-Bukhaari in Al-Taareekh, Al-Albaani: A Hadith Hasan – Sahih Al-Jaami’, 1217.

*9* Muwatta’ Maalik, 2/938.

The Evil Eye is Real

From the evidence quoted in the previous article – Evidence for existence of Evil Eye, it is clear that the evil eye is real, and that its effects are proven and it does exist. It can follow a man until it makes him fall from a high mountain, and if it is able to overpower a healthy man it can kill him and put him in his grave, and if it overpowers a camel, it will fall and be injured, and its owner will slaughter it and cook it in a pot. So the evil eye is real and its effects are real. It may kill, or it may affect the spot or the things that the envious likes in the body of the person affected, or in himself or his possession. This is the view of the scholars of this Ummah, such as Maalik, Al-Shaafa’i, Ahmad and others.

Types of Evil eye

The effects of being struck by the evil eye may be divided into two categories:

1 – Deadly effect. This type of evil eye brings rapid results, such as killing a man or livestock, or destroying buildings and crops, and so on. There is no remedy in such cases.

2 – Non-deadly effect. The remedy for this is divided into three categories:

(i) Repelling the Evil eye, before it strikes.
(ii) Curing the evil eye after it has happened.
(iii) Treating the evil eye with Ruqya and Zikr (Recitation of specific Surahs of the Quran).

Each type will be discussed individually in the next articles. Insha’Allaah.
Repelling Evil eye, Before it Happens

This is done by seeking blessings. By Allaah’s wisdom, if the one who has put the evil eye on another seeks blessings, the evil is canceled out and does not take effect. Allaah repels His decree by means of His decree, so the entire matter is under Allaah’s control, may He be glorified.

Hence the Messenger of Allaah commanded us to pray for blessing for everything that we like. He said:

“If one of you sees something that his brother has, let him pray for blessing for him.”

And he said to ‘Aamir ibn Rabee’ah (Refer to the incident of Aamir ibn Rabee’ah in this article – Evidence of Evil Eye).

“Why did you not pray for blessing?”

And it was narrated that Sahl ibn Haneef said: The Messenger of Allaah said:
“If one of you sees something that he likes in himself or his wealth, let him pray for blessing for it, for the evil eye is real.” *1*

These Ahadith indicate that the evil eye cannot do any harm if the person who is doing it prays for blessing; rather it can only do harm if he does not pray for blessing. Every Muslim who likes something must pray for blessing, for if he prays for blessing, that will ward off any potential harm, beyond a doubt. *2*

The way in which blessing is sought is to say “Baarik Allaahu fih (May Allaah bless it)” or “Allaahumma baarik ‘alayhi (O Allaah, bless it).”

And one may say “MaSha’ Allaah (that which Allaah wills (will come to pass))“, as in the Verse:

“It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: ‘That which Allaah wills (will come to pass)(Masha’Allah)! There is no power but with Allaah!” (Al-Kahf 18:39)
Curing Evil Eye after it has happened

Posted by Muhammad Ali on Oct 28, 2010 in Cure & Protection, Evil Eye | 5 comments
If the person with an evil eye is known, he should be asked to wash his body and retain any wasted water that he has used, that water should be poured over the affected person from the back, and he will – with Allah’s Leave – recover.

Imam Ahmad, Al-Nasaa’i, and Ibn Maajah narrated, in a report that was classed as Saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan that Abu Umaamah Sahl ibn Haneef said:

Abu Sahl ibn Haneef did Ghusl in Al-Kharaar. He took off his cloak, and ‘Aamir ibn Rabee’ah was looking at him. Sahl was very white, with beautiful skin.

‘Aamir said: “I have never seen anything (as beautiful) as this, not even the skin of a virgin.”
And Sahl fell to the ground and became very sick. The Messenger of Allaah was told about his sickness, and it was said to him: “He cannot raise his head”

He said: “Do you accuse anyone with regard to him?”

They said, “’Aamir ibn Rabee’ah” The Messenger of Allaah called him and rebuked him strongly, and then he said:

“Why would one of you kill his brother? Why did you not pray for blessing for him? Wash yourself for him”

So ‘Aamir washed his face, hands, forearms, knees and the sides of his feet, and inside his Izaar (lower garment) in a vessel, then it was poured over him from behind, and Sahl 
recovered straight away.*1*

Method of Washing

Ibn Shihaab Az-Zuhree said: The method of washing as described by our scholars is as follows: the person with the evil eye should be given a vessel of water and told to wash his body with the same water in the following order, without placing the vessel on the floor:

To rinse one’s mouth, then spit the wasted water back into the vessel,
To wash one’s face with the water in the vessel
To wash one’s right arm with one’s left hand and one’s left arm with one’s right hand,
To wash one’s right elbow with one’s left hand and one’s left elbow with one’s right hand,
To wash one’s right foot with one’s right hand and one’s left foot with one’s right hand,
To wash one’s right knee with one’s left hand and one’s left knee with one’s right hand
To wash the parts under the sheet,

According to Al-Qaazii ibn Al-‘Arab, the parts under the sheet refers to whatever parts of the body are covered by the sheet.

Afterwards, the wasted water in vessel should be poured on the affected person’s back, in one go.*2*

It will, by Allah’s leave, cure the affected person almost instantly.

Treatment of Evil eye with Zikr and Dua

In the previous article we learned the how to cure a person with the method of washing. However, If the person who has put the evil eye is not known, then one can ask Allah to cure him by reciting some verses of the Quran and do as prescribed in the Shary’ah. It will by Allah’s leave cure the affected person, as always have been.

The affected person should hold his hands up together and recite into them Al-Faatihah (1st Surah of Quran), Ayat-ul-Kursi (verse 255 of Surah Baqara – 2nd Surah) and Al-Mu-awizaat (Last two Surahs of Quran), then blow into his hands and wipe them all over his body.

The sick person may also recite the Verses over Olive oil and smear it on the site affected with evil eye; he may also recite the above verses over water and wash himself with it; he may even drink from that water.

If the sick person is able to recite prayers for refuge, he may recite the prayers bellow. All narrated from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“A’oodhu bi kalimaat-illaah il-taammati min sharri ma khalaq”

I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created.
“A’oodhu bi kalimaat Allaah Al-taammah min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah”

I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye.

“Allahumma rabba annasi, azhibi ai-ba’sa washfi anta shaff, ia shifa’a iiia shifa’uka, shifa’an ia yughadiru saqaman.”

O Allah, the Lord of people, drive away the pain, and heal me, for You are the Healer, there is no cure except Your Cure; a cure that does not leave any illness, but that it cures it.
If the sick person cannot move and is unable to recite the above prayers, then a 3rd person can help him through the following:

Put your hand on the patient’s forehead and recite the chapters:

Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas (Last three Surahs of Quran)

Put your hand on the patient’s forehead and say:

“Bismiiiahi yubrika min kulli daa’in yushfika wa min sharre haasidin iza hasada wa min shrri kull zee ‘an”

In the name of Allah, He will heal you, from any illness He will cure you, from the evil of the jealous when he gets jealous, and from the evil of a person with an evil eye.
Facts about Amulets

A tradition wide spread for a long time, since the fall of Iblees till this hour. What are Amulets?

Amulets were things that the Arabs used to tie onto their children to protect them against the evil eye, or so they claimed, since pre-Islamic times.

A Hadith narrated by Musnad Ahmad, classed sahih by al-Albaani that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever ties on an amulet has committed Shirk”
Refer, Zaad Al-Ma’aad, 4/170. Or al-Silsilah as-Sahihah, (492).

Imaam Ahmad collected a Hadith Narrated from Uqbah (r.a) (one of the companions of the Prophet (swt)): that once a group of men approached Allaah’s Messenger to give their allegiance to him, and he accepted the oath from nine of them but refused to accept it from one. When they asked him why he refused their companion’s oath, he replied, “Verily, he is wearing an amulet.” The man who was wearing the amulet put his hand in his cloak, pulled the amulet off, broke it, and then made the oath. The Prophet (swt) then said, “Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk.”

With this said, binding amulets, bracelets and necklaces adorned with blue beads and metal pieces of the shape of a crescent, or animal teeth or bones etc “with the thought that they will keep one safe from Evil and bring good and bad fortune” is without a doubt – Shirk. It was commonly known among the Arabs of the pre-Islamic times that the jinn/demons fear the wolves, and that is why people would hunt for wolves and get their teeth/bones to seek refuge in them.

But one may ask, what if we were to bind verses of the Quran to our body and seek refuge in them?

What about using Quran and its Verses as Amulets?

Some people mention this issue referring to a fatwa of Ibn Taimiyya quoted below:

Sheikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taimiyya, in one of his fatwa, said,

“It is permissible for an ill or troubled person, that certain verses from the Qur’an are written with pure ink, then it is washed and given to the ill to drink. Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have mentioned a certain Dua that should be written and placed close to the woman who is experiencing hard labour at the time of giving birth.”

“And We send down of the Qur’aan that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…” [al-Isra’ 17:82]

But there is no sign of making a Quran that fits into a Locket so one can hang it around his neck or tie it to his arm. This is obvious from the teaching of the Prophet (pbuh). For instance, Surah an-Naas and Surah al-Falaq were revealed as a Healing for the witchcraft and to ward-off Evil, but neither the Prophet (pbuh), nor his Companions ever wrote those Chapters on paper and bound it to their body to seek protection from the overcoming Evil on their people who were cured multiple times with these Chapters. They merely recited it over.

So what Ibn Tiamiya has said, does not refer to Amulets at all. It is when people interpret that Fatwa and promote the use of Quran as Amulets. We all know the degree of Evil this is going to spread, and it already has. Matter of fact is that – When we are taught a simple way of protecting ourselves form Evil, simply by reciting the Verses of the Quran and seeking refuge in Allaah, then why improvise other unnecessary methods of protection?

I am sure all of you are aware of Amulets sealed in Leather and in Tight coverings. Have you ever wondered why?

What is the difference in keeping a verse of the Quran on a paper kept in a pocket, and that piece of paper sealed inside a leather covering?

I believe the difference lies in the text written on the piece of paper which the Amulet craftsman does not want you to know! Since people started believing in Amulets with Verses of Quran in them, it opened a great opportunity for the Magicians to infiltrate our Muslim Societies. Today, we find hundreds of so called-men of god-giving people amulets for cure and protection from Evil and Witchcraft etc, claiming them to have verses of Quran when none can understand Arabic in the first place. Any layman that reads them will say that it is a verse from the Quran. But Just because it Apparently looks like Arabic does NOT mean it is a verse from the Quran. It may most probably be a Praise to the Demons. All of this is apparent from the condition in Bangladesh. Most people are bankrupted by these so called men of god. They bewitch people with their own jinn (Demons), and their victims come to them as patients. The magician can then relieve his pain temporarily and make him an addict and eventually bankrupt him.

You may refer to the topic – Distinctive features of a Witch/Sahir for a better understanding of such men.  Most of the times when you open the sealed Amulet, you will find Figures and Diagrams and Tables of Number etc. It may even include a verse of the Quran that may not have a specific meaning but along with that you find the figures and diagrams. Now where does Islam teach us to draw diagrams in order to seek protection from Evil?

In short, the amount of evil spread through allowing Amulets in Islaam can be guess from the video bellow: 

Fact is, they (Magicians) use these diagrams as portal/key for the jinn to trace their victims. It is a generalized concept:
A devil would never bother the ones who are already misguided, and that is how they are safe from evil when wearing such amulets.

All of this is without a doubt Shirk.

I would like to repeat that, when there is already a way prescribed from the Sunnah, that we can cure ourselves and our brothers simply by reciting the Quran to them, then why seek the help of an amulet?