Evil eye in Islam: protection, duas and healing

العَيْن

The evil eye (al-‘ayn) is real according to the hadiths. Islam teaches how to protect yourself and heal from it through the Quran and supplications.

Evil eye in Islam: the hadiths, protection and the duas and surahs to recite every day, on Muslim Alim
Evil eye in Islam: an open Quran lit by a lantern in a dark room
The protective surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas.

The evil eye in the Quran

Commentators cite the verse: “And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes” (Surah Al-Qalam, 68:51). Surah Al-Falaq seeks protection “from the evil of an envier when he envies” (113:5).

Supplications for protection

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
A‘udhu bi kalimatillahi at-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah

“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, every harmful creature and every evil eye.”

Sahih al-Bukhari, 3371 (the Prophet ﷺ protected Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn with it)
  1. Ayat al-Kursi after every prayer and before sleeping.
  2. Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, three times morning and evening (Abu Dawud, 5082).
  3. The morning and evening supplications.
  4. Say Masha’Allah, la quwwata illa billah when admiring a blessing (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:39).
A bowl of clear water and a Quran on a prayer rug for ruqyah
Reciting the Quran over water is part of ruqyah.

What to do if you think you are affected

If the person who caused the evil eye is known, the Prophet ﷺ asked them to perform wudu and pour the water over the affected person (Muwatta Malik, 1679). Otherwise, practise ruqyah: recite Al-Fatiha, Ayat al-Kursi and the protective surahs, blowing over yourself or into water. See a doctor as well: seeking treatment does not contradict trust in Allah.

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Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

Is the evil eye real in Islam?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The evil eye is real” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5740; Sahih Muslim, 2187). It comes from the envious or admiring gaze of a person, by the permission of Allah.

How do you protect yourself from the evil eye?

By reciting every morning and evening Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas), saying the morning and evening supplications, and saying Masha’Allah, tabarak Allah when admiring something.

What are the symptoms of the evil eye?

The signs often mentioned (unexplained tiredness, loss of motivation, repeated misfortune) are not proof: they often have a medical or psychological cause. See a doctor and, at the same time, practise lawful ruqyah with the Quran.

Do amulets and the hand of Fatimah protect?

No. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk” (Ahmad, 17422). Protection comes from Allah alone, through the Quran and supplications. See shirk.

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