Generally people do not believe in the harmful influence of the evil eye. I did not for a long time. But the more I read about it, I came to realise that a sharp gaze due to envy has its ill effect and sometimes very damaging effect. Today I came across a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which reinforced my belief in this evil act and thought of sharing with my readers. Before I do that, let us see what evil eye actually is (as defined by Wikipedia):
"The evil eye is a supernatural belief in a curse brought about by a malevolent glare, usually inspired by envy." The belief in the evil eye among humans has existed for thousands of years, and amulets to protect against it have been found dating to around 5,000 years ago.
The concept of evil eye exists in almost all religions and couture of almost all countries around the world.
In Judaism, while others believe it to be a kind of supernatural force that casts or reflects a malevolent gaze back upon those who wish harm upon others (especially innocents). The idea also appears multiple times in Jewish rabbinic literature. In Chapter II, five disciples of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai give advice on how to follow the good path in life and avoid the bad. Rabbi Eliezer says an evil eye is worse than a bad friend, a bad neighbor, or an evil heart.
Christianity's beliefs of the evil eye can be located in some passages of the Bible. In Luke 11:34 Jesus referenced to the eye as the lamp of the body. If a person's eye is generous, then their whole body will be full of light. If their eye is evil, then their whole body will be full of darkness.
In Hinduism, although Śrauta traditions do not have a concept of evil, it has been incorporated as a mainstream practice within modern Hinduism. For example, when a mother observes that her child is being excessively complimented, it is common for the mother to attempt to neutralize the effects of the evil eye (nazar utarna, drshti teeta or drushti tegeyodu). A common example of a neutralizing ritual involves holding red chilies in one hand and circling the child's head a few times, then burning the chilies.
Now let us come to the Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book 39 The Book of Greetings / كتاب السلام / Chapter 16: Medicine, Sickness And Ruqyah / باب الطِّبِّ وَالْمَرَضِ وَالرُّقَى / as Hadith number # 338a as under:
Ibn 'Abbas reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
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.
Arabic Text:
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ، وَحَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ خِرَاشٍ، قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ، طَاوُسٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْعَيْنُ حَقٌّ وَلَوْ كَانَ شَىْءٌ سَابَقَ الْقَدَرَ سَبَقَتْهُ الْعَيْنُ وَإِذَا اسْتُغْسِلْتُمْ فَاغْسِلُوا " .
This hadith emphasizes the reality of the evil eye (“Al-‘Ayn”) and its potential harmful effects, while also highlighting the importance of taking preventive and remedial measures against it. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) acknowledges the impact of the evil eye, even suggesting that it can be powerful enough to affect someone’s health, success, or well-being.
Key Points of the Hadith:
- The Reality of the Evil Eye: The Prophet (ﷺ) affirms that the evil eye is real and can cause harm. It is not merely a superstition or myth but a recognized phenomenon in Islam that can lead to physical or emotional harm.
- Precedence Over Destiny: The hadith states, “if anything would precede the destiny, it would be the influence of an evil eye.” This does not mean that the evil eye overrides Allah’s decree (Qadar) but emphasizes its powerful impact. Destiny is ultimately in Allah’s control, but the evil eye can cause harm within the parameters of what Allah has destined.
- Remedy Through Bathing: The Prophet (ﷺ) instructs that if someone is affected by the evil eye, they may be asked to take a specific type of bath as a remedy. The recommended action involves washing oneself with water that has been used by the person who cast the evil eye. This practice is believed to help remove the negative effects.
Understanding the Evil Eye:
The evil eye refers to harm caused by someone’s envy, jealousy, or even admiration. When someone looks at another with intense feelings—whether positive or negative—it can have harmful spiritual effects, intentionally or unintentionally. It often results from a person’s strong emotions that affect the one being looked at.
- Harm of the Evil Eye: The evil eye can manifest as physical illness, loss of blessings, sudden misfortune, or unexplained difficulties. The harm is not due to the inherent power of the person casting the eye but rather is allowed by Allah as a test or trial.
- Protection and Prevention: The Qur’an and Sunnah offer guidance on protecting oneself from the evil eye, such as reciting specific supplications (duas), seeking Allah’s protection, and regularly reading Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas. It is also recommended to say "Masha’Allah" (what Allah has willed) when admiring something to acknowledge Allah’s blessing and reduce the potential harm of envy.
- Bathing as a Remedy: The hadith advises taking a bath with water used by the person who cast the evil eye, reflecting the idea that spiritual remedies can alleviate the effects of such harm. While this practice is less common today, it signifies the importance of taking proactive steps to seek healing and not dismiss the harm caused by the evil eye.
The verse of Evil Eye in Qur'an:
The Verse of Evil Eye (Arabic: آیه وَإِن يَكَادُ) is verses 51 and 52 of Al-Qalam (Q68:51-52) in the Quran. It is usually recited for protection from the evil eye. It states: "And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say: Indeed, he is mad. But it is not except a reminder to the worlds (68:51 and 52)."
The verse refers to an evil eye. This meant that they wanted to make Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sick and die with a special kind of look. It also suggests that the verse is a metonymy for 'very angry glances', as they looked very furiously as if they wanted to kill Muhammad ﷺ. In addition, the grudges of the disbelievers led them to a contradiction. On the one hand, they understood the importance of the Quran insofar as they desired the destruction of the Prophet ﷺ, but on the other hand, they accused him of madness.
Islamic Perspective on the Evil Eye and Destiny:
- Generally held concept of Evil Eye: In Islam, the evil eye, or al-ʽayn (Arabic: العين, also عين الحسودة), is a common belief that individuals have the power to cause harm to people, animals or objects, by looking at them in a way that indicates jealousy. Although envy activates the evil eye, this happens (or usually happens) unconsciously. In addition to being looked at, astrology may play a part. Someone may become a victim of the evil eye by virtue of an "unfavorable celestial configuration" at the time of victim's birth, "according to some scholars"
- Destiny (Qadar) is Supreme: In Islam, everything happens by Allah’s decree, and nothing can occur outside of His will. The evil eye, like all other trials, occurs within the framework of destiny and serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance, faith, and reliance on Allah’s protection.
- Seeking Remedies is Encouraged: Islam encourages seeking both spiritual and practical remedies when faced with harm. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) guidance on taking a bath highlights that while the evil eye is real, there are means to address its effects.
This hadith acknowledges the existence and influence of the evil eye, emphasizing that it is a genuine phenomenon that can cause real harm within the boundaries of Allah’s decree. It encourages believers to take protective measures, seek remedies, and maintain their faith in Allah’s ultimate control over all things. The instruction to bathe as a cure reflects Islam’s holistic approach to addressing spiritual and physical ailments through both faith and action.
Here it may be mentioned that use of amulets or hanging objects available in the market has no effect to ward of the effects of the evil eye. One has to supplicate to Allah to ward off effects of signs of any visible harm before it really takes over and harms us.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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