Evil Eye
To ward off the evil eye, it is advised to follow certain practices
Please take note and make necessary corrections:
In our society, there are various methods to protect against the evil eye. One method is called “Sar Warnaa” (placing something on the head). The procedure is as follows:
1. First, the meat of a black goat or black chicken, weighing a specific amount, is placed in a bag. Then, the bag is placed on the head of the person who is affected by the evil eye (i.e., the one who is believed to be affected by negativity). The bag is rotated seven times clockwise around the head (this act is called “Sar Warnaa”). Afterward, the bag is either discarded in a desolate place or given to animals. By doing so, the person’s illness is cured, and they are relieved from the effects of the evil eye, leading to improved health.
2. Another method involves placing the eggs of a native black hen in a bag and striking them against a wall above the affected person’s head, breaking the eggs. This practice helps remove the effects of the evil eye.
3. By waving red chili peppers over the head and then burning them, the evil eye can be eliminated.
4. Striking a matchstick on the head and lighting it, and during the burning process, the matchstick takes on a specific shape. Once the matchstick takes on a shape, extinguish it immediately. The shape formed represents the person who cast the evil eye.
This is a misconception
Original Statement
Believing in the evil eye and learning ways to protect oneself from it is mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In our society, there are practices that have been adopted from Hindu beliefs, which are prevalent only in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. These practices are deeply rooted in Hindu religion, and we as Muslims are following them with great commitment due to our ignorance about their origin and whether they belong to Islam or another religion.
Hindu Beliefs
Research clearly shows that such superstitious practices have actually been borrowed from Hindus by Muslims. Furthermore, these practices are not only derived from Hindus but are also connected to Hindu religious beliefs. The mention of some of these varied beliefs is presented below for reference:
1. First, take a firecracker and rotate it seven times counterclockwise above the head. Then, place the firecracker on hot coals. After a while, the firecracker will turn into a liquid state and later solidify into a specific shape. Take the firecracker with you and throw it to the left side on the street. After discarding it, return straight home without looking back. This practice is more effective if performed on Tuesdays or Saturdays.
2. Gather some red chilies and rock salt. Rotate them seven times clockwise above the head of the affected person and then burn them in fire. If there is no strong smell of burnt chilies during the burning process, it indicates that the person is severely affected by the evil eye.
Concluding Remarks
Based on the aforementioned research, it is evident that the belief in warding off the evil eye by performing actions on the head has purely Hindu origins. Therefore, Muslims should refrain from engaging in such practices and instead adhere to the teachings derived from the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Furthermore, Islam has already provided guidance on protection from the evil eye, so there is no need to experiment with Hindu superstitious practices. Muslims have been taught all the necessary precautions and remedies to safeguard against the evil eye within the framework of Islamic Sharia.
Protection from the evil eye and eliminating its effects can be achieved through various methods mentioned in the blessed Hadiths:
1. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat Al-Kursi, the three Quls (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas), and the following supplication:
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لامة
2. The one affected by the evil eye can be treated by blowing onto them with the blessed words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
بسمِ اللهِ اللَّهُمَّ أَذْهِبْ حَرَّهَا وَبَرَدَهَا وَوَصْبَهَا
Translation: In the name of Allah, O Allah, remove the heat, coldness, pain, and suffering caused by this (evil eye). After this, recite the following words. (قم باذن الله)
Translation: “Stand by the command of Allah. (Hasn Husain)
3. Another method to ward off the evil eye is to perform ablution (wudu) for the person who is known to be affected by the evil eye, collect the used water in a container, and then have the affected person perform a ritual bath (ghusl) with that water. This method is mentioned in the following narration from Mishkat Sharif:
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: ‘The evil eye is a reality, meaning that it is true that the evil eye affects. If it could have been due to predestination, it would have been the evil eye. When someone is asked to perform ablution (wudu) and you are asked to pour the used water on the affected person, then do so. (Muslim)
And when you are asked to pour the used water.” This means that at that time, it was a practice in Arabia to wash the hands, feet, and lower abdomen of the person affected by the evil eye, and they considered it a means of healing. The least benefit of this practice was that it dispelled the illusion from the patient. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted it and said, ‘If your sight affects someone and you are asked to wash your limbs and pour the water on the patient, then accept it.
Another narration states:
Hazrat Abu Imamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from Sahal bin Haneef that one day Aamir bin Rabiah (the father of Sahal) saw him while he was taking a bath (meaning, he was in a concealed state). So, he said, ‘By Allah, I have never seen such a beautiful body and complexion as yours on any day.’ And he had not seen the thin, delicate skin of the private parts (of Sahal) either. Abu Imamah says, ‘Aamir said, ‘It felt as if he had been struck by an arrow and he fell unconscious.’ So, they lifted him and brought him to the service of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What prescription do you give for the treatment of Sahal?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked at Sahal’s condition and said, ‘Do you suspect anyone of causing harm to him with the evil eye?’ They replied, ‘Yes, it is our assumption that Aamir bin Rabiah has cast an evil eye on him.’ The narrator says that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard this, he called Aamir and rebuked him, ‘Why do you kill your brother? Why didn’t you supplicate for blessings?’ (Meaning, if Sahal’s body and complexion had changed in your sight, why didn’t you pray for blessings upon him?) (بارك اللهُ عَلَيْكَ) So that your gaze does not affect them, you, peace be upon him, instructed Aamir to wash his limbs and pour the water over him. It is mentioned in Sharh al-Sunnah by Imam Malik:
Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, states that according to scholars, the method of ablution (wudu) for the person affected by the evil eye is as follows: If it is known about a person that they have been affected by the evil eye, water should be brought in a utensil like a cup or a bowl, and the utensil should not be placed on the ground. Then, the person affected by the evil eye should take some water from that utensil and rinse their mouth with it, and then return the rinsed water back into the same utensil. After that, they should take water in their right hand, wash the right elbow, and then take water in their left hand and wash the left elbow. The space between the palm and the wrist should not be washed. Then, they should wash the right foot and then the left foot. After that, they should wash the navel area. All these body parts should be washed in the same utensil. After washing all these parts, the water should be poured from the back of the affected person’s head, from the direction of their back, and let it flow.
It should be noted that this method is based on the secrets and commands that are beyond the reach of intellect and understanding. Therefore, engaging in intellectual debate about it is futile. We should protect ourselves and future generations from such Hindu practices and make ourselves and our coming generations followers of Islamic teachings in all aspects of life. Ameen!
