The term “evil eye” usually refers to harm that comes to a person because of someone else’s jealousy or envy towards them. Many Muslims believe it to be real, and some incorporate specific practices in order to protect themselves or their loved ones from its effects. Others reject it as superstition or an “old wives’ tale.” What does Islam teach about the powers of the evil eye?
DEFINITION OF EVIL EYE
The Arabic word al-‘ayn (translated as the evil eye) refers to when a person harms another with his eye. It is a term used to describe misfortune that is transmitted from one person to another out of jealousy or envy. It starts when the person likes a thing, then his evil feelings affect it, by means of his repeated looking at the object of his jealousy.
The misfortune of the victim may manifest as sickness, loss of wealth or family, or a streak of general bad luck. The person inflicting the evil eye may do so with or without intention.
Allah commanded His prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, to seek refuge with Him from the envier, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.” [113:5]
EVIL EYE IS REAL
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.” [113:5]
“And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes (through hatred)” [al-Qalam 68:51]
Ibn ‘Abbaas and others said, commenting on this verse (113:5) : this means, they put the evil eye on you with their glances. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The evil eye is real and if anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye. When you are asked to take a bath (to provide a cure) from the influence of the evil eye, you should take a bath.” (Narrated by Muslim. Al-Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah).
Also the Prophet ﷺ said,
“The evil eye is true”. (Bukhari, Book of Medicine, Chapter: The evil eye is true. Muslim-Book of Salaam, Chapter: Medicine)
“Seek refuge with Allaah from the Evil eye because certainly it is true.” (Ibn Maajah. Declared saheeh by shaykh al Albaani)
“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 a bath (as a cure) from the influence of an evil eye, you should take bath.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Imaam al-Nawawi رحمه الله said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim:
“In this Hadeeth (the last one quoted above) there is proof of the existence of al-Qadr and it also authenticates the fact that the harm from the evil-eye is powerful.”
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “It is an arrow, shot by the one who is jealous or (or is known) for giving evil-eye towards the one who is envied – hitting (the target) sometimes and missing it sometimes. So if it is encountered while uncovered and without protection, then the person is affected by it. But no doubt, if it is encountered while taking precaution, then it will not affect him; rather it may happen that this arrow (evil-eye) is returned back to the owner himself (i.e. the owner is affected by his own evil-eye)”. [Zaad al-Ma`aad (4/154)]
The Quran, Sunnah & reality confirms that and it (evil eye) cannot be denied.
THE EFFECTS OF EVIL EYE
The harm caused by the evil eye can manifest as sickness, loss of wealth or family, or can even result in death.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Majority of people who die from my ummah after the decree of Allaah and His Qadr is due to the evil eye”. (Declared Hasan by al Albaani)
“The evil eye enters the man in to the grave and enters the camel into the pot”. (Declared Hasan by Al Albaani in Saheeh al Jaami? 4144]
DETERMINING IF ONE IS AFFLICTED BY EVIL EYE
As for the symptoms of being affected by the evil eye, Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez al-Sadhan (may Allah preserve him) said:
If it is not a real sickness, then the symptoms may take the following forms:
Headaches that move from one part of the head to another; yellow pallor in the face; sweating and urinating a great deal; weak appetite; tingling, heat or cold in the limbs; palpitations in the heart; pain in the lower back and shoulders; sadness and anxiety; sleeplessness at night; strong reactions due to abnormal fears; a lot of burping, yawning and sighing; withdrawal and love of solitude; apathy and laziness; a tendency to sleep; health problems with no known medical cause.
These signs or some of them may be present according to the strength of the evil eye or the number of people who put the evil eye on others. End quote. Al-Ruqyah al-Shar’iyyah.
