Ever been told by your elders that someone’s jealousy can harm you? They are right, and the evidence of this is found in Islam. The religion calls it Al-ayn (the evil eye). The scholars describe it as ‘Al-ayn refers to when a person harms another person with their eye.’ One can become afflicted with the evil eye as well as being the source of it. Its presence is affirmed in both the Quran and hadith.
Nowadays, this term has become so common that even minor events are blamed on the evil eye. To resolve these misconceptions and shed light on the fundamental concept of the evil eye in Islam, this blog will explore the verses and hadith that talk about it, as well as how one can use religious awareness and faith-based methods to protect themselves from it.
What Does The Quran Say About The Evil Eye?
The evil eye is acknowledged in several verses in the Quran, though not always by name. For example, in the 68th chapter of the Quran, Allah SWT states:
“And lo! those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say, “Lo! he is indeed mad.”
Ibn ‘Abbas RA and others commented on this verse and stated, ‘it means that they cast the evil eye on you due to their glances.’
In another chapter of the Quran, Surah Falaq, the fifth verse talks about seeking refuge from Allah regarding the evil eye.
“And from the evil of the envier when he envieth.”
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Teachings on the Evil Eye
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH stated in various hadiths that the evil eye is real, not a made-up concept or superstition. He proved that belief in the evil eye is not believing in something that is far from religion and established the view that belief in it actually complements tawakkul (trust in Allah), rather than contradicting it. In a very popular report in Sahih Muslim, he stated,
Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The effect of the evil eye is real. If anything were to overtake destiny, it would be the influence of the evil eye. And when you are asked to bathe as a remedy for it, then you should do so.”
The Prophet PBUH acknowledged the influence of the evil eye as a real spiritual harm and told the ummah specific ways by which they can protect themselves from it, such as reciting specific chapters of the Quran and doing the recommended dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
How The Evil Eye Affects People
The learned practitioners of ruqya have mentioned some symptoms by which someone can know if they have been afflicted with the evil eye. Such as,
- Excessive sweating and urinating.
- Headaches that move around different parts of the head.
- Weak appetite.
- Heart palpitations.
- Yellow pallor in the face.
- Feeling hot or cold in the limbs.
- Feeling sad and anxious.
- Sleeplessness at night.
- Lower back or shoulder pain.
- Yawning and sighing.
- Tendency to sleep.
- Health problems with no known medical cause.
- Laziness
It is imperative to remember that many of these symptoms are not definitive and may vary in some instances. It should be noted that Islam discourages any kind of superstition and blaming other people. It also emphasizes placing trust in Allah and not fearing if one is afflicted with worry. Therefore, the focus should be on strengthening the connection with the Lord by doing dhikr, rather than fearing and being paranoid about what could go wrong.
Types Of Evil Eye
Intentional Evil Eye
This type of evil eye is done with the intent of harming the other person due to envy or jealousy. Intentional evil eye can be afflicted by envying someone’s wealth, beauty, etc.
Unintentional Evil Eye
This kind of evil eye is an accident. It is not intended, and it usually happens when one likes something another person has and admires it without saying “Masha’Allah.” It doesn’t have malicious intent behind it and is simply a result of forgetfulness or ignorance of the proper way to admire in Islam, which always includes the praise of the Lord.
Self-Inflicted Evil Eye
This type of evil eye is when one admires their own blessings without gratitude, whether it be their facial features or wealth.
Each of the different kinds of evil eye is rooted in spiritual imbalance and not just emotion. While it may seem like the leading cause of the evil eye is emotion, most of the time, it is the lack of properness in doing basic, everyday things.
Islamic Protection Against The Evil Eye
There are many proven ways to protect oneself against the evil eye. Such as:
Reciting Al-Mu’awwidhatayn
Abu Sa’eed narrated, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to seek protection from the jinn and from the evil eye of people. But when Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas) were revealed, he began reciting them for protection and stopped using other supplications.”
Al-Mu’awwidhatayn refers to the last two chapters of the Quran. Surah Falaq and Surah Naas. Moreover, they are short surahs that can be easily learned and added to everyday dhikr.
Note: This hadith is classified as weak.
Daily Supplications (Adhkar)
The term “adhkaar” refers to the remembrance of Allah (SWT)—reciting phrases such as “Astaghfirullah” or “Subhan Allah.” When we keep our tongues continuously engaged in dhikr every morning and evening, it serves as a protection, reducing the chances of any evil affecting us. Below is one of the adhkaars that our Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to recite.
أَعـوذُ بِكَلِـماتِ اللّهِ التّـامّاتِ مِنْ شَـرِّ ما خَلَـق
Translation:
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
Saying “Masha’ Allah” or “Tabarak Allah”
Taking Allah’s names when admiring blessings should be the habit of every Muslim. This not only keeps one away from harm but also reminds a Muslim that everything is a creation of Allah and all praise is for Him.
Performing Ruqyah Shar’iyyah
Ruqyah Shar’yyah is a lawful Islamic practice used for spiritual healing. It includes the recitation of Quranic verses and hadiths as prescribed by the Prophet PBUH. These verses focus on only asking Allah for help and don’t involve any element that might constitute shirk.
Maintaining Humility And Grace
Humility and grace are two of the basic principles of daily conduct in Islam. Maintaining a humble lifestyle not only pleases Allah but also protects one from the envy or jealousy of others. It keeps the blessings of Allah hidden from the bitter eye and provides a shield from many evils.
Ruqyah and the Evil Eye
Ruqyah is a proven practice of the Prophet PBUH in which he used to recite Quranic verses and other authentic duas, such as Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Naas, Ayat-ul-Kursi, etc. The Prophet PBUH performed ruqyah in his life and taught his companions to do it too. He only used the Quranic verses and other duas, not any amulets or charms. Therefore, using any of these without proper guidance from a scholar can be sinful.
Balancing Belief with Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Although the evil eye is real, one should remember that its affliction only happens with Allah’s permission. Protection from it lies only in Him. Obsessing over its outcomes or fearing that it may cause irreparable damage is not what a Muslim should do. Instead, if one does become afflicted with the evil eye, they should work towards strengthening their relationship with the Lord by engaging in dhikr and voluntary prayers.
Just like every worry that befalls a Muslim, the evil eye is also a test. Allah himself states in the Quran:
“Lo! With hardship comes ease.”
Conclusion
In summary, the concept of the evil eye in Islam serves as a reminder of the harm that jealousy and envy can cause. It teaches us to stay mindful of our actions and to engage in constant dhikr to remain under Allah’s protection. Moreover, it discourages the use of amulets, charms, and other culturally used elements to protect against the evil eye. It encourages the Muslims to turn towards Allah by reciting Quranic verses and authentic duas and emphasizes that reliance on Allah is the ultimate shield.
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