The evidence from the Qur'an and authentic Hadith makes clear that the evil eye is real and that its effects do occur. The Sunnah contains numerous narrations establishing its reality and explaining its potentially serious effects, including harm to a person's health, body and possessions.
The scholars of this Ummah, including Imam Maalik, Al-Shaafa'i and Ahmad, affirmed the reality of the evil eye. It may affect a person or something they possess, and by the permission of Allah, its effects can be severe. In this guide, we examine the evidence from the Sunnah in detail and the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ regarding the evil eye.
For further research on this subject, the work Al-'Ayn Haqq by Ahmad ibn Abdul-Azeez Al-Shumayri provides a dedicated study of the evil eye and its effects.
The Evil Eye Is Real
It was narrated that Abu Huraira (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
The evil eye is real
In the same sentence of the narration, it is recorded that the Prophet ﷺ forbade tattooing (al-washm)
It was narrated from 'Aisha (RA) that the Prophet PBUH said:
Seek refuge with Allah from the evil eye, for the evil eye is real.
The Effects of the Evil Eye
It was narrated that Abu Dharr (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
The evil eye may follow a man by Allah's Leave, until he climbs up a high mountain then falls from it.
It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
The evil eye is real and can bring down a person from a high mountain.
What is meant here is that the evil eye follows a person by Allah's will, until it causes him to fall from a high mountain.
It was narrated that Jabir (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
The evil eye will put a man into his grave and a camel into the cooking pot.
From the evidence quoted above from the Sunnah, it is clear that the evil eye exists, and that its effects are proven and do take place. There is valuable research on the matter entitled Al-Ayn Haqq by Ahmad ibn Abdul-Azeez Al-Shumayri.
It can follow a man until it makes him fall from a high mountain, and if it is able to overpower a healthy man it can kill him and put him in his grave, and if it overpowers a camel, it will fall and be injured, and its owner will slaughter it and cook it in a pot.
Therefore the evil eye is real and its effects are real. It may kill, or it may affect the spot or the things that the envier likes in the body of the person affected, or in himself or his possessions. This is the view of the scholars of this Ummah, such as Imam Maalik, Al-Shaafa'i, Ahmad and others.
Examples of the Evil Eye
It was narrated that Asma bint Umays said:
O Messenger of Allah, the sons of Jafar are smitten with the evil eye; should I recite Ruqya for them?
He PBUH said:
Yes, for if anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye.
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn Abdullah (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
Most of those who die of my Ummah, after the will and decree of Allah, will die because of the evil eye.
Abu Sa'id (RA) said the Prophet PBUH said to seek refuge from the evil eye of jinn and mankind. Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2058
As for evil eye from jinn, it has been narrated by Umm Salamah (RA) that the Prophet PBUH saw a slave girl in her house and in her face was safa‘ah. Upon which the Prophet PBUH said:
Seek Ruqyah for her, for verily she is afflicted with a look (evil eye).
The scholars have said that “As-safa'ah” is the evil eye from the jinn.
The Evil Eye and Allah's Decree
It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
The evil eye is real and if anything were to overtake the divine decree, the evil eye would do so. If you are asked to wash (to treat someone for the effects of the evil eye) then do so.
Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This Hadith affirms that both the divine decree and the evil eye are real; the evil eye is powerful, but neither the evil eye nor anything else can cause harm or do any good or any bad except by the decree of Allah.