Dua for Evil Eye
Dua 1: Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas
It is narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri I that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to seek protection from the harm of the jinn and from the evil eye of humans. This continued until the two chapters of seeking refuge (al-Muawwidhatan), Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas, were revealed. After their revelation, the Prophet ﷺ relied on them exclusively and didn’t use other forms of protection.
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ...﴾
﴾Qul aʿūdhu bi-Rabbi n-nās...﴿
“Say: I seek protection in the Lord of mankind...”
(Recite each surah in full)
| Reference | At-Tirmidhi (2058) |
Dua 2: Protection from the Evil Eye
It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ would seek Allah’s protection for al-Hasan and al-Husayn L with this supplication. He ﷺ said: “Your forefather Ibrahim used to seek Allah’s protection for Isma’il and Ishaq with these words.”
| Reference | Abu Dawud (4737) |
Dua 3: Seeking Protection from Causing Harm by the Evil Eye
Sa’id ibn Hakim I reported that when the Prophet ﷺ feared that he might affect something with his eye, he would say:
| Reference | Ibn as-Sunni (206) |
Dua 4: Protection from the Evil Eye by Acknowledging Allah's Will
Anas I related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever sees something that impresses him and says, ‘Whatever Allah wills. There is no power except through Allah,’ will not harm it.”
| Reference | Ibn as-Sunni (206) |
Dua 5: Safeguarding Against the Evil Eye by Invoking Allah’s Protection
Imam Abu Muhammad al-Qadi Husayn mentioned in his book at-Ta’liq fi al-madhhab that one of the prophets, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all, once looked upon his people and found their great number pleasing. At that moment, seventy thousand of them perished. Allah then revealed to him: “You afflicted them with the eye. Had you safeguarded them when you looked at them, they would not have perished.” He said: “With what should I safeguard them?” Allah revealed to him:
| Reference | Kitab al-Adhkar |
About the Evil Eye
The evil eye refers to harm that comes to a person by the gaze of another, when that look is accompanied by admiration, envy, or jealousy, whether intentional or unintentional.
Ibn Abbas I narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The evil eye is real. If anything were to precede the Divine decree, it would be the evil eye. If you are asked to wash [for someone afflicted by the evil eye], then wash.”
Muslim (2188)
The Reality of the Evil Eye
It is authentically reported that Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ once saw a young girl in her home who had a noticeable discolouration on her face. He said:
“Perform ruqyah for her, for she has been affected by the evil eye.”
Al-Bukhari (5739)
Practice of the Companions
It is reliably transmitted that A’ishah J said:
“The person who possessed the evil eye would be instructed to wash, and then the person afflicted would bathe with that water.”
Abu Dawud
The scholars explain that when a person is asked to bathe, it means that the one suspected of causing the evil eye is requested to wash parts of his body, such as the inside of his lower garment that touches the skin. That water is then poured over the person who has been afflicted.
Supplicating for Blessings as Protection from the Evil Eye
Sahl ibn Hunayf I narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed that when a person sees something admirable in himself, his family, or his wealth, he should pray for blessings upon it.
Ibn as-Sunni (204)
In another authentic report, Amir ibn Rabi’ah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If any of you sees something in himself or in his wealth that impresses him, let him supplicate for blessings upon it.”
Ibn as-Sunni (250)
