Countering Evil Eye

It is indeed true,

I hear the stigma

Called Evil Eye.

So brute, I sigh.

The ailing trauma

No dots, only coma.

I (eye) spy your health

Your wealth

Lather it with envy,

And lo behold!

I am so told

you have taken to bed

And buried in debt.

Evil eye is “the look that supposedly causes harm”. The fear of the evil eye is present in all societies. And the props to protect oneself from the afflictions of  evil eye are numerous. The Indian subcontinent is deep in belief in nazr (evil eye). Lime , chili, salt and other condiments are” prayed upon” and then circled around the traumatized person’s body – head to toe. The mixture is then burnt and the soot buried. The performer of the ritual then claims money for the “cure” performed.

Novelty stores across the world sell beady eye bracelets and Hand of Fatima amulets amongst other crafty items. As a means of adornment they may be acceptable but consciously or subconsciously entrusting the protection of our lives and good fortune in flimsy elements is nothing but idolatry and in bad taste.

Evil eye is a fact mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Qalam verse 51, “And those who disbelieve would almost trip thee up with their eyes.”

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “The effect of an evil eye is a fact.”(Bukhari)

It is normal to harbor feelings of jealousy and envy at the good fortune of another. Evil eye is like a two way sword as it may cause harm to befall upon us or on the other person who possesses the thing of our desire. These are of course normal human feelings which are invoked in us intentionally or unintentionally. But we must curb them in an effective manner.

The Holy Prophet used to place his grandchildren Hasan and Hussain under Allah’s protection by saying, “I commend you two to the protection of Allah’s perfect words from every devil, every poisonous reptile and every evil eye.”

There is nothing more powerful than a verse from the Quran or a dua prescribed by the Holy Prophet to seek protection from evil eye. It is a good habit to recite Surah An–Naas regularly. It should  always be remembered that there is no greater force that Allah (swt) and that evil too is a part of his vast domain. All power rests in the hands of Allah (swt) and He alone has monopoly over all matters. If we like something that belongs to another it is best ask Allah (swt) to bless the person and say Maasha Allah, meaning it is Allah(swt) alone that has willed it to be so good. With so powerful an expression we project ourselves as a well wisher and most importantly protect ourselves as well as the other soul from the vicious effects of evil eye.