Actions to take against the evil eye
We read yesterday about how dangerous the Evil eye can be, but if we study the Sunnah we are taught ways to protect ourselves from evil. Listed below are actions mentioned in the authentic ahadeeth to be taken to protect ourselves form evil eye.
1. SEEK ALLAAH’S REFUGE AGAINST THEIR EVIL
Allah [The Most High] hears the one who seeks His Refuge and knows what the person is seeking. Allah is able to do all things and He alone is the One from Whom refuge is sought – none amongst His creation [has the right to be invoked] for refuge nor for shelter; rather He is The Only One Who gives refuge to those who [invoke] Him for refuge. He is the One Who protects and shelters them against the evil of that which they seek refuge against. The reality of seeking refuge is to flee from something that terrifies a person and [seeking protection] from one who can protect and give shelter.
There is neither a protector for a servant nor one to grant him refuge besides Allah. Allah [Glorified be He] suffices the one who relies on Him and He is enough for the one who seeks shelter from Him. Allah is the One who provides safety against the fear of the one who is fearful and gives support to the one who seeks support. He an Excellent Protector and an Excellent Helper.
Use al-mu’awwidhatayn and Surah Ikhlaas with the right intention.
This means the two surah’s for seeking refuge, which are the last two chapters of the Quran: surah Al-Falaq and surah An-Naas.
Awadha (عوذ) means he refuged and both surahs are in fact two supplications that begin with: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord . . . So next time you recite them, do so with a strong conviction they are an actual supplication and protection for you.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said that “the effectiveness of these surahs is great to repel magic, evil eye, and the rest of the evils and the need for a slave to seek Allah’s protection from these two surahs is greater than his need for self, eating, drinking, and wearing dress [Al-Fawwaid]
a. Recite Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq, and An-Naas three times in the morning and evening.
The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Qul Hoo wAllahu Ahad’ and ‘Muwaidaitain’ when you enter the evening and when you wake up in the morning three times and it will protect you from everything.(Tirmidhee # 3575), Aby Daud (# 5084).
Make this a habit and you will gain protection and the great reward of reviving a sunnah, in shaa Allah!
b. Blow these surahs over your body before you go to sleep.
Aisha narrated that whenever Allah’s Messenger went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting surah Al-Ikhlaas, surah Al-Falaq and aurah An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face, and front of his body. He used to do that three times. [Al-Bukhaaree]
Recite Ayat Al Kursi before sleeping
“…When you go to your bed, recite Ayat Al Kursi (al-Baqarah 2:255). Then Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no shaytaan (devil) will come near you until morning”. (Bukhaari & Muslim)
Start teaching this habit to your children from their early years and it will be an amazing sadaqah jaariyah for you!
2. ADHKAAR (REMEMBERANCE OF ALLAH)
There is no doubt that when a person is close to Allah, always remembering Him (dhikr) and reading Qur’aan, he is less likely to be affected by the evil eye and other kinds of harm from the devils of mankind and the jinn. The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge with Allaah for himself, and the greatest means of seeking refuge that is available to the Muslim is reading the Book of Allah, above all the Mi’wadhatayn, Soorat al-Faatihah and Aayat al-Kursiy.
Turning to Allah, may He be exalted, and asking Him for well-being and protection from all ills, evils and harms is amongst the great acts of worship and good deeds of obedience. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, loves those who seek His help, those who turn to Him, and those who seek refuge in His might and power.
Among the saheeh du’aa’s for refuge that have been narrated from the Prophet ﷺ are:
أَعـوذُ بِكَلِـماتِ اللّهِ التّـامّاتِ مِنْ شَـرِّ ما خَلَـق
‘A’oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq.
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
(Three time in the evening)
Virtue:
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “When any one of you stays at a place, he should say (the above) Nothing would then do him any harm until he moves from that place. (Muslim)
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّةِ. مِنْ غَضَبِهِ، وَعِقَابِهِ، وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ، وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ، وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
A’oodhu bi kalimat-illah il-tammati min ghadabihi wa ‘iqabihi, wa min sharri ‘ibadihi wa min hamazat al-shayateeni wa an yahduroon
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath and punishment, from the evil of His slaves and from the evil promptings of the devils and from their presence.
And one may recite the words of Allah:
حَسْبِـيَ اللّهُ لا إلهَ إلاّ هُوَ عَلَـيهِ تَوَكَّـلتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ العَرْشِ العَظـيم
Hasbiyallaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwa ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul-‘Arshil-‘Adheem .
Allah is sufficient for me . There is none worthy of worship but Him . I have placed my trust in Him, He is Lord of the Majestic Throne
Virtue
Abu’d-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Whoever says in the morning and in the evening (the above), seven times, Allah, may He be exalted, will suffice him for what concerns him,” (Abu Dawood).
Dua to protect children
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge with Allah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn. He ﷺ said: ‘Your father [i.e., Ibraaheem A.S.] used to seek refuge with Allah for Ismaa’eel and Ishaaq with these words: (Narrated by al-Bukhaari)
أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ ، وَهَامَّةٍ ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
U’eedhukuma bi kalimat Allah al-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah
I seek refuge for you both in the perfect words of Allah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye
Above is for two children; you can replace u’eedhukumaa’ (I seek refuge for you both) by u’eedhuka (for one boy), u’eedhuki (for one girl) or u’eedhukum (for more than three children). Memorize this supplication and use it on the children consistently. Use a sticky note in the house to remember if needed.
With regard to the meaning of laammah (translated here as “bad”), al-Khattaabi said: “What is meant here is every disease or harm that a person may suffer such as insanity or mental disturbance.”
Some other Duas for protection against evil in general
بِسـمِ اللهِ الذي لا يَضُـرُّ مَعَ اسمِـهِ شَيءٌ في الأرْضِ وَلا في السّمـاءِ وَهـوَ السّمـيعُ العَلـيم
Bismillaahil-lathee laa yadhurru ma’as-mihi shay’un fil-‘ardhi wa laa fis-samaa’i wa Huwas-Samee ‘ul- ‘Aleem.
In the Name of Allah, Who with His Name nothing can cause harm in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
Virtue:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever recites it three times in the morning will not be afflicted by any calamity before evening, and whoever recites it three times in the evening will not be overtaken by any calamity before morning.”(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah & Ahmad).
اللّهُـمَّ عالِـمَ الغَـيْبِ وَالشّـهادَةِ فاطِـرَ السّماواتِ وَالأرْضِ رَبَّ كـلِّ شَـيءٍ وَمَليـكَه ، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ أَنْت ، أَعـوذُ بِكَ مِن شَـرِّ نَفْسـي وَمِن شَـرِّ الشَّيْـطانِ وَشِـرْكِه ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَـرِفَ عَلـى نَفْسـي سوءاً أَوْ أَجُـرَّهُ إِلـى مُسْـلِم
Allaahumma ‘Aalimal-ghaybi wash-shahaadati faatiras-samaawaati wal’ardhi, Rabba kulli shay ‘in wa maleekahu, ‘ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta, ‘a’oothu bika min sham nafsee, wa min sharrish-shaytaani wa shirkihi, wa ‘an ‘aqtarifa ‘alaa nafsee soo’an, ‘aw ‘ajurrahu ‘ilaa Muslimin.
O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the evident , Maker of the heavens and the earth , Lord of everything and its Possessor , I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You . I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his helpers . (I seek refuge in You) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.
(Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi)
Before Intercourse
Not from Morning & Evening Adhkaar
بسم الله، اللهم جنبنا الشيطان وجنب الشيطان ما رزقتنا
“Bismillah! Allahumma janibnash-Shaitana, wa jannibish-Shaitana ma razaqtana
In the Name of Allah, O Allah! Keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from what You have bestowed upon us
The Prophet ﷺ said, “If anyone intends to have (sexual intercourse) with his wife, he should say (the above) and if Allah has ordained a child for them, Satan will never harm him.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Undoubtedly, when a person persists in reciting the adhkaar (dhikr) for morning and evening, and the adhkaar for going to sleep, and others, this will have a great effect in protecting him from the evil eye, because it will be like a stronghold for him, by Allah’s Leave.
Please join our free online certificate courses “DUA’A” & “DHIKR”, to learn more about virtues, sunnahs and rulings of Dua & Adhkaar.
DUA’A : https://learn-islam.org/dua (available online now, register and learn)
DHIKR : https://learn-islam.org/dhikr (available online now, register and learn)
3. PRAY FOR BLESSINGS
Although it is correct that the evil eye comes from people who feel jealous (hasad) the scholars explained it can also come from someone who is not jealous but just likes something. We certainly can’t help it, or stay away from admiring people or giving them compliments, just because we do not want to afflict them with the evil eye. Your friend/family member who got the dream job, your siblings being blessed with children or wealth etc.
Good things happen to everyone and it is good to be happy for them, or for yourself. This is why whenever we see something that we like or appreciate in a person or in ourselves, we are encouraged to say It is even possible to harm yourself, your wealth or a loved one.
The Prophet ﷺ said:”…If you see something that you like, then pray for blessing for him….” (Ahmad, Malik, An Nisaai & Ibn Habban; classed as sahih by Albani)
It is recommended to say: Allahumma baarik feehu, feeha or feehi ( O Allah, bless him, her or it) or the like (TabaarakAllah).
All of these phrases thank and glorify Allah (swt) as the Creator of that thing which you admire and they ask for the blessings of Allah (swt) on you or the person that you are admiring.
Some scholars say saying MashaAllah La Quwata’ Illaah Billah is also ok but others say it is not from the Sunnah. We will look into this in detail in on of the upcoming class – Misconceptions.
So next time you see something nice someone has, or even seeing the beauty of your children or spouse, pray for blessings for them. This also means it is ok to like something someone has and want it for yourself; as long as you don’t wish that thing is taken away from the person and you make sure you pray for blessings for them! Similarly if someone likes something that Allah blessed you with you can remind them of the Hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ and request them to pray for blessings.
4. SPENDING IN CHARITY AND HELPING OR BEING GOOD TO OTHERS
(Being good by benefiting them and repelling harm as much as one is able).
Indeed, this has an amazing effect in repelling calamity, the evil eye, and the evil of an envious person. Hardly is the good doer and giver of charity overcome by the evil eye and the envy [of an envious person], for if afflicted by some of that [calamity], Allah treats him with kindness, gives him relief and support. Spending in charity and doing good are acts of gratitude to [Allah for the favours He has bestowed on you] and a safeguard against everything that will cause those blessings to cease.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day on which the people get up but two angels come down and one of them says, ‘O Allaah, give in compensation to the one who spends (in charity),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.’” (al-Bukhaari & Muslim).
The Prophet ﷺ said about helping others:
“Helping a man onto his mount or lifting up his luggage onto it is a charity.” (Muslim).
“…Allah will help a person so long as he is helping his brother.” (Muslim)
“Those who show mercy will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Show mercy to those who are on earth and the One Who is in heaven will show mercy to you.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani)
“The dearest of people to Allah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit to people, and the dearest of deeds to Allah, may He be exalted, is joy that you bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of distress, or paying off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger. And to walk with a brother to meet his needs is dearer to me than observing i‘tikaaf in this mosque – meaning the mosque of Madinah – for a month.” (Narrated by at-Tabaraani (12/453); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani)
5. CONCEAL AND NOT SHOW-OFF
To conceal that which a person feels may be in danger of being inflicted with the evil-eye, for the evil-eye is the yearning of the soul towards that which amazes it. So, if a person possesses that which he fears will be envied, he should conceal it and not show it off, especially in front of those who are known to be envious. At the same time, he should know that all that happens is by the will of Allah.
A few extra points:
Be cautious of the envious.
Assist yourself self in fulfilling the needs by concealment and secrecy. Do not discuss everything with everyone before you get things done.
If someone is known to be envious, try doing good to him so that he is able to fight his shaitaan and do/feel the right thing.
FACTORS OF IMAAN (FAITH) THAT CAN HELP PROTECT US
Taqwa [fear of Allah and piety- fulfilling what Allah has commanded and keeping away from what Allah has forbidden]. The one who fears Allaah will be protected and safeguarded by Allah and will not be left to others. Allah [The Most High] said: “But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun(the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do”. (Soorah Aal Imraan Ayah 120)
At-Tawakkul – Reliance upon Allah. Whoever relies upon Allah, Allah will suffice him. Reliance upon Allah is one of the most powerful means by way of which a person is protected regardless the extent of the harm, oppression, and enmity of the creation. The one who suffices himself with Allah [as his Protector], the enemy cannot have any hope of [harming him]. If a person relies upon Allah, in a manner in which Allah deserves to be relied upon and [firmly believes in Allah’s absolute control] of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, Allah will grant him a way out [from the difficulty or harm] and aid help him.
– We will In’Sha’Allah study more about Tawakkul in the last class of this course.
Repentance- sins are the cause behind being overpowered by one’s enemy. Indeed Allah [The Most High] said: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. (42:30)]
A servant (of Allah) is not overpowered by someone who harms him except due to sin, whether he is aware or unaware of it. The sins of a person – which he is unaware of- are several times as much as what he knows, and the sins he has forgotten – which he is aware of and committed – are several times as much as what he can remember.
Tawheed – [i.e. firm belief that Allah alone is the Creator of everything, the Provider and the one Who controls everything in the universe; firm belief in Allah’s Perfect Names and Attributes and that there is no similarity to Allah; firm belief that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah], constantly attaching oneself to Allah-The One Who created all the means to accomplishing what one seeks, The All-Mighty, The All-Wise- whilst giving consideration to the means of attaining protection and to know that nothing can bring harm or benefit, except by the permission of Allah.
Allah (The Most High) said: And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will. (10:106)]
The Prophet ﷺ said to Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa], ‘’Know that even if the Nation [or the whole community] were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already decreed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already decreed against you”.
If a person fulfils Tawheed, then indeed fear of other than Allah will be removed from his heart. His enemy will be the weakest thing to him let alone something to be feared alongside his fear of Allah. He will fear Allah alone [and no one else]. He will find that his thoughts about the affair of his enemy, fear of his enemy and busying himself with the affair of his enemy is due to a deficiency in his [belief in] Tawheed. Had he been perfecting [his belief in] Tawheed, it would have been the uppermost thing in his mind and that Allah is the One Who will protect and defend him, for indeed Allah defends those who [truly] believe. If a person is a [true] believer, Allah will defend him based on the level [or strength of] his belief [in Allah]. Tawheed is the greatest shield and whoever embraces it will be amongst those who are safeguarded. Some of the pious predecessors [i.e. the Sahaabah and the two generations who followed them exactly in belief, practice, and piety] said, “Whoever truly fears Allah, everything will fear him; and whoever does not fear All
ah, Allah will make him fear everything”.
We ask Allah to protect us all, our children and every one from “the evil of the envier when he envies” and we also pray that Allah helps and guides them to clear their hearts of envy.
