Chapter Five (Spiritual Ailments )

Evidence of the Reality of the Evil Eye

Allah, the Almighty says in His Book:” Behold! They each presented a sacrifice (to God): it was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: ”Be sure I will slay thee.” “Surely,” said the former, “God doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous”.
Ibn Kathir states that Allah shows the result of aggression, envy, and injustice in the story of the sons of Adam, Cable and Kane. One of them attacked the other and killed him out of envy for the blessings which Allah granted him. The ——-of the sincere one was accepted and when killed he won by going to Paradise, while the murderer lost the bargain and the two worlds (Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim-2/39, 40).
Allah says in the Quran: ”Behold, Joseph said to his father: O my father! I did see eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrate themselves to me!” * Said (the father): ”My (dear) little son! Relate not thy vision to thy brothers, lest they concoct a plot against thee: for Satan is to man an avowed enemy!” (Surah Yusuf- verses 4, 5).
Ibn Kathir says that in this verse, Yusuf told his father his vision which denotes the submissiveness of his brothers and their glorifying of him to the extent that they prostrate themselves to him. Jacob (May Peace be Upon Him) was afraid that if Yusuf’s brothers heard this vision they would envy him so they may concoct plots against him out of sheer envy. Thus Jacob told him ”Relate not thy vision to thy brothers, lest they concoct a plot against thee” (Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim-2/450).
Allah says in His Book:”Further he said: ”O my sons! Enter not all by one gate: enter ye by different gates…”.Ibn Kathir states that Jacob, as mentioned in this verse, when sent his son Benjamin with his brothers to Egypt, he asked them not to enter through the same gate but rather different ones. Ibn Abbas, Mohamed ibn Kaab, Mijahed, Al-Dahak, Qotadah,Al-Sadi, and others denote that Jacob was afraid of evil eye as his sons were handsome and good looking, so he feared that the people’s evil eyes might affect them. The evil eye can make a rider fall off his horse (Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim -2/466).
Allah also says the Quran: ” Why didst thou not, as thou wentest into thy garden say:’ God’s Will (be done)! There is no power but with God!’ If thou dost see me less than thee, in wealth and sons [Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)-verse 39]. Ibn Kathir states that if you admire it as you enter, thank Allah for His blessings as he gave you wealth and son which He did not give others.
Allah says in His Book: ”And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes…”.
Ibn Kathir states that this verse means that unbelievers would envy you with their eyes out of hatred if it had not been for Allah’s protection. Thus, this verse clearly indicates that the affliction of evil eye is a reality, by Allah’s Decree.
Allah says in the Quran: ” Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn * From the mischief of created things * From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads * From the mischief of those who practice Secrets Arts * And from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy.
Al-Fakhr Al-Razi states that the envious person is the one who strongly desires the loss of the fortune of others, and he would resort to evil plotting if he can. Thus, Allah orders us to seek refuge with Him from evil affliction in this world. Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) was happy when this Surah -Al-Falaq- was revealed for, along with Surah Al-Nas (The People), both provide protection against all evils.
Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be Pleased with Him) related that Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) said:” Most people of my nation die of evil eye after that of Allah’s Decree”.
He also narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) said to the People of Hazm that it is legal to use incantation (Ruqya) in case of a sting. He said to Asmaa bint Omais ” Why do I see the bodies of my brother’s sons so thin?” The nursemaid said,” No, but the evil eye goes quickly to them”. Allah’s Messenger said:” Make incantations (Ruqya) for them”.
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be Pleased with Him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) said:” The eye is real, had anything been able to precede the decree, the evil eye would precede it, if you need to wash up then wash”.
Om Salamah (May Allah be Pleased with Her) said that Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) saw in her house a girl whose face had a black spot. He said: ”She is under the effect of an evil eye, so treat her with Ruqya”.
Aiash (May Allah be Pleased with Her) said that Allah’s Messenger (PGBUH) ordered her to use incantation (Ruqya) against the evil eye.