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Introduction: When the Eye Wounds the Soul
The concept of the evil eye—al-‘Ayn (العَيْنُ)—is one of the unseen realities Islam warns us about. It is not a myth, nor mere superstition. It is a truth, deeply embedded in the Qur'an, the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, and the understanding of righteous scholars. The evil eye is a spiritual affliction, capable of harming one's health, wealth, family, beauty, even faith. It arises when a soul, whether knowingly or unknowingly, strikes another with envy or admiration, unleashing a destructive gaze that carries harm. But with every danger, Islam equips the believer with divine safeguards. This article is your comprehensive guide to understanding, identifying, and guarding against the evil eye, using only the light of revelation.
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1. What Is the Evil Eye (‘Ayn)?
In Arabic, 'Ayn means “eye,” but in Islamic terms, it refers to a spiritual affliction caused by a gaze, typically laden with envy, jealousy, or unchecked admiration. The harm comes not from the eye itself, but from the soul behind it. It can strike people, animals, objects, and even blessings.
Two Main Forms:
- ‘Ayn al-Hasad (عين الحسد): Rooted in destructive envy or jealousy.
- ‘Ayn al-I’jab (عين الإعجاب): Born from excessive admiration, even without evil intent.
Islam teaches that the soul can emit unseen harm through the eye, and thus the evil eye affects both victims and perpetrators spiritually.
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2. Evidence from the Qur’an
The Qur’an directly and indirectly refers to the evil eye in several places, warning believers to seek protection.
- Surah Al-Falaq (113:1–5)
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿١﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٢﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٥﴾
“…and from the evil of the envier when he envies.”
- Surah Yusuf (12:5)
يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“Do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they may plot against you…”
- Surah Al-Qalam (68:51–52)
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ ﴿٥١﴾ وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌۭ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴿٥٢﴾
“Indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the reminder…”
- Surah Al-An‘am (6:17)
وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّۢ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍۢ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ
“If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He.”
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3. The Evil Eye in the Prophetic Sunnah
- Sahih Muslim (2188)
العَيْنُ حَقٌّ، وَلَوْ كَانَ شَيْءٌ سَابَقَ الْقَدَرِ لَسَبَقَتْهُ العَيْنُ، وَإِذَا اسْتُغْسِلْتُمْ فَاغْسِلُوا
“The evil eye is real. If anything could precede the Divine Decree, it would be the evil eye. And if you are asked to perform ghusl (washing), then do so.”
- Musnad Ahmad & Muwatta Malik
إِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُم مَا يُعْجِبُهُ، فَلْيُبَارِكْ، فَإِنَّ العَيْنَ حَقٌّ
“If one of you sees something admirable in his brother, let him say: Allahumma barik, for the evil eye is real.”
- Sahih Bukhari (Book of Medicine)
العَيْنُ تُدْخِلُ الرَّجُلَ القَبْرَ، وَتُدْخِلُ الجَمَلَ القِدْرَ
“The evil eye can send a man to his grave and a camel to the pot.”
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4. The Ijmāʿ (Scholarly Consensus)
The reality of the evil eye is agreed upon by the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah:
- Imam Nawawi: “The evil eye is real and known through experience. Denying it is a sign of ignorance.”
- Ibn Taymiyyah: Affirmed its truth from both texts and reality.
- Ibn al-Qayyim: Wrote extensively in Zad al-Ma‘ad on its symptoms and treatment.
- Al-Qurtubi: Explained its danger in his tafsir works.
And others, with a shared emphasis on prophetic supplications (du‘a), trust in Allah, and daily remembrance (adhkar), etc.
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5. Signs and Symptoms of the Evil Eye
- Unexplained illness or fatigue
- Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
- Difficulty focusing or memorizing
- Sudden failure in work, studies, or relationships
- Distancing from acts of worship
- Headaches, yawning, or bodily heaviness
📌 Note: Always consult medical advice alongside spiritual reflection.
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6. Protection and Cure: Healing Through Revelation
- Daily Adhkar (Morning & Evening)
These include specific du‘a and Qur’anic verses taught by the Prophet ﷺ as protection from the evil eye, jinn, and general harm:
- Ayat al-Kursi – Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255
- Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Naas— recite 3 times each in the morning and evening
- Sayyidul Istighfar – the master of seeking forgiveness
- أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ – read 3 times in the evening
- لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له... — read 100 times daily
- Say: "اللهم بارك له/لها" (Allahumma barik lahu/laha) when admiring someone or something
Additional du‘a as found in Hisnul Muslim or Al-Adhkar of Imam Nawawi
These adhkar are a daily spiritual armor, and should be recited during the optimal times—after Fajr and before Maghrib.
- Ruqyah Shar‘iyyah (Qur’anic Healing)
- Recite Al-Fatiha, 3 Quls, Ayat al-Kursi over water, Drink/bathe in it
- Request wudu water from the person (if known) and pour it over the afflicted (as in Sahih Muslim)
- Prevention by Lifestyle
- Conceal your blessings from public display
- Practice modesty online and offline
- Say “MashaAllah” and “Allahumma barik” often
- Avoid boasting or oversharing what you own or achieve
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7. Trust in Allah Above All
وَمَا هُم بِضَارِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ
“They cannot harm anyone except by Allah’s permission.” (Al-Baqarah 2:102)
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا
“Say: Nothing will ever touch us except what Allah has written for us.” (At-Tawbah 9:51)
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Conclusion: Healing Begins With Tawakkul
The evil eye is real, but Allah’s protection is more real. Guard yourself with Qur’an, dhikr, humility, and trust in the Most Merciful. Seek healing from the One who created both harm and remedy.
وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
“…from the evil of the envier when he envies.” (Al-Falaq 113:5)
Ameen.
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