By Unknown

The eye of envy, sometimes known as the evil eye, or just simply “the Eye” is a widely distributed element of belief in many different religions, cultures and societies. Although many now would cast it as folklore, with no reason to believe in it in the modern world, Islam strongly confirms the existence of the eye of Envy in it’s two sources of revelation; the Quran and the hadith.

As for the Quran Allah states:

“And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message” [68:51]

Ibn Abbas, commentating on the verse said “They cast the Eye”. And in the hadith Prophet Muhammad (S) 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

The evil eye comes from people who feel jealous (hasad), it may also come from a person who is not jealous but merely likes something, because of the hadeeth:

“Whoever among you sees something in himself or in his possessions or in his brother that he likes, let him pray for blessing for it, because the evil eye is real.”

Narrated by Ibn al-Sunni in `Aml al-Yawm wa’l-Laylah, p. 168; and by al-Haakim, 4/216. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Kalim al-Tayyib, 243.

Dr. As-Sayed Nuh, professor of Hadith Sciences at Al-Azhar University, states a number of precautionary measures against the Eye of envy, some of which are:

1- Seeking Allah’s protection against the evil eye and envy
This can be done by remembering Allah at all times and this is an impenetrable shield against Satan and his devils. Allah says: ?Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Daybreak. From the evil of that which He created. From the evil of the darkness when it is intense. And from the evil of malignant witchcraft. And from the evil of the envier when he envieth.? (Al-Falaq 113)

Also Prophet Muhammad (S)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to seek refuge for al-Hasan and al-Husayn and say: U’eedhukuma bi kalimaat Allaah al-taammati min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah (I seek refuge for you both in the perfect words of Allaah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye).’” [Al-Tirmidhi, 2060; Abu Dawood, 4737.]

And he would say,

“Thus Ibraaheem used to seek refuge with Allaah for Ishaaq and Ismaa’eel, peace be upon them both.”

[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3371.]

2- Observing piety, showing obedience to Allah and forsaking sinful acts

Allah says, ?But if ye persevere and keep from evil their guile will never harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding what they do.? (Aal `Imraan 3:120)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to his cousin, `Abdullah bin `Abbas:

“Observe Allah’s duties and He will protect you; be pious to Allah and He will always support you…”

(This Hadith is classed as authentic by At-Tirmidhi in his book As-Sunan under the chapter “Concerning the Day of Judgment)

3- Demonstrating patience and perseverance

This means that one should never show any sign of being affected by envy, nor should one get overwhelmed with thoughts on it. Rather, one should show patience, for that will definitely drive the envious or evil ones to doom.

In his commentary on the previous issue, Ibn Al-Qayyim states that the third precautionary measure against envy is to show patience rather than waging war against the envious or showing signs of being harmed by them. Nothing grieves or inflicts pain or even doom on the envious or evil one than seeing that his evil act or scheme has not affected the target. This is the effect of patience, reliance on Allah and putting one’s trust in Him. Allah says: ?That (is so). And whoso hath retaliated with the like of that which he was made to suffer and then hath (again) been wronged, Allah will succour him. Lo! Allah verily is, Mild, Forgiving.?? (AL-Hajj 22: 60)

In this Qur’anic verse, we can see that Allah has guaranteed victory for a victim of contempt or hatred, even if he has tried his best to avenge himself of the assailant. This means that a person who shows patience, despite being a victim of hatred and contempt, deserves strong support.

4- Putting one’s trust in Allah

This is one of the strong precautionary measures against envy and oppression. Allah says, ?And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him…?? (At-Talaq 65: 3)

5- Doing ruqya

This is based on the fact that the Angel Gabriel used to make du`a’ upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) whenever he became affected with anything.

`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says:

“Angel Gabriel used to pronounce some words upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to relieve his pain. He used to say: “May you get relief from the pain, cured from the disease, and be protected from envy and evil eye by the virtue of Allah’s Name.”

(Reported by Muslim)

Abu Sa`eed also mentions that the Angel Gabriel once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him:

“Are you affected with something?” The Prophet answered, “Yes”. Gabriel said: “May you get relief and be protected from evil by the virtue of Allah’s Name.” (Reported by Muslim)

8- Washing off the effects of envy

This is done by pouring the water on a person affected with envy and the evil eye.

This is based on the Hadith reported by Abu Umamah, Sahl bin Hunayf on the authority of his father who told him that as they went out one day with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) upon reaching the valley called Al-Harar at Jahfah, Sahl washed himself and appeared as having a very fine figure. This attracted `Amir ibn Rabi`ah to the extent that he actually said: “Wow! What a nice and delicate figure! You look like a charming lady!” Upon uttering this remark, Sahl fell unconscious, and when the people took him to the Prophet, he said: “Do you suspect someone?” “Yes”, they replied, “We suspect `Amir ibn Rabi`ah”. The Prophet called him and reprimanded him, saying: “Why try to kill your brother in faith? Why not say upon seeing something fascinating: ‘Allah is Blessed or may Allah bless you…etc?’” To wash off the traces of envy, `Amir was told to wash his face, hands, elbows and thighs, and then to wash his feet and his private parts, over a bowl. Then the contents of this bowl were to be poured over Sahl bin Hunayf, and the bowl turned upside down. Upon doing this Sahl recovered.

(Classed as authentic by Imam Ahmad in Al-Musnad, and by Ibn Majah)

Ibn Al-Qayim commented on this process saying:

Anyone who denies, mocks or has doubt about the effect of this Prophetic way of healing will never benefit from it. The same applies to anyone who does it in way of trial without full conviction. Why not regard this as part of the privileges in the Islamic perspective instead of condemning it. Medical practitioners acknowledge that in the field of medicine there are some areas that are untouchable and are somehow deemed as very unique.

Ibn Hajar says that the aforementioned process of washing away the effects of envy is meant to be done after being affected with envy.

Islam has also drawn attention to a precaution against that effect. This is what the Prophet means by ordering us to utter Allah’s Glorification when we have something good: ‘Allah is Blessed!’ Also we can supplicate for the person by saying: ‘May Allah bless you!’”