وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْعَيْنُ حَقٌّ» وَنَهَى عَن الوَشْمِ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The influence of the evil eye is true.” [Bukhari]

🔹The “evil eye” refers to the harmful effect caused when a person experiences jealousy or negative emotions. This negative energy creates a burning fire within the heart that manifests as poison through the eyes. We should not become envious of what others have gained of this world, Allah tala gives to whomever He wills. Displeasure over others’ success is a form of ingratitude towards Allah Tala.

🔹Prophet Ya’qub a.s advised his eleven sons to enter their location from different gates, rather than all entering through the same gate. This was said to protect them from the evil eye, as others may become fascinated with a person who is blessed with eleven sons, all of whom were handsome.

🔹One of the best ways to protect oneself from the evil eye is by keeping one’s blessings private. In today’s world, many people share details of their luxurious vacations and visits to expensive restaurants, which may trigger envy in those who can not afford such things. Social media has become a major platform for spreading the evil eye. It is important to avoid putting your life on display for the world to see, as we may unknowingly invite harm upon ourselves.

Incidents of the Evil Eye

🔹Some of the disbelievers in Madinah once attempted to harm Rasulullah ﷺ. They hired a person known for casting the evil eye, and to test his ability, they instructed him to first cast an evil eye on an animal. The effect was so strong that the animal died. As a result, the last two ayahs of Surah Qalam were revealed:

“And indeed, the disbelievers seem to trip you up with their glances when they hear the Reminder, and say, ‘He is a madman indeed.’ And it is nothing else but a Reminder for all the worlds.” [68:51-52]

🔹Some Sahabah were known to be exceptionally handsome, such as Dihyah Al-Kalbi, Jarir ibn Abdullah Al-Bajali, and Sahl ibn Hunaif R.A. On one occasion, Sahl ibn Hunaif r.a was bathing behind a covering, with only part of his upper body exposed. As Amir ibn Rabi’ah passed by and saw him, he commented on his admiration without saying the recommended words. This led to Sahl r.a fainting. When Rasulullah ﷺ was informed, he said that Amir should have said, “Barak Allah”, to protect Sahl from the evil eye.

🔹Abu Darda r.a used to say: “One who remembers death often, his happiness will lessen, and his envy will decrease.”

Symptoms of the Evil Eye

  • Sudden, unexplained illnesses
  • Weakness or feelings of laziness
  • Arguments with spouse
  • Breakage of items in the home
  • Unexplained financial losses

Protection from the Evil Eye

  • Recite Surah Naas and Surah Falaq before going to bed and in the morning, as was the practice of Rasulullah ﷺ. 
  • Recite the last two ayahs of Surah Qalam after Fajr and Maghrib.
  • Say مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ when witnessing the fortune of another.
  • Recite the dua that Prophet Ibrahim a.s and then Rasulullah ﷺ used to recite:
    أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
    “I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, harmful thing, and accusing eye.”

Do not envy others or cast the evil eye on them. Similarly, protect yourself from the evil eye of others.

Summary from Ramadhan bayans of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Nawab Sahib on 05-03-25. For audio https://saleemnawab.com/ramadhan-2025/