The evil eye is a reality against which we can
protect ourselves. Thus, it is our duty to be aware of this fact in order to be
able to fight it, Insha-Allah. So we will explain what the evil eye is
before addressing the ways in which we can protect ourselves, Insha-Allah.
What is the evil eye?
The evil eye is defined as the consequence when the soul arouses a persistent
or malicious desire to meet or to see (stare at) a person. So the evil eye
takes place when one looks with envy and insistence on a person. The evil eye
can even reach a good, even a being or an entity belonging to the mineral,
animal or agricultural world. Moreover, the look that one carries with insistence and wonder on a person or a thing has an effect on them. Allah says: “The disbelievers would almost cut you down with their eyes when they hear (you recite) the Reminder (i.e. the Quran).” (Al-Qalam, 68: 52).
A Quranic verse can have many connotations and
for our present subject, it also affirms that it can mean the evil eye. The
disbelievers wished to touch the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) with the evil eye,
and besides our beloved prophet (pbuh) has left us an enriching inheritance by
warning us against the evil eye and the evil of the evil one (i.e., Satan the
accursed one).
According to a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas
(ra), the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The evil eye is a truth, if there
is one thing that precedes predestination, it would be the evil eye ...”
(Muslim, Ahmad & Tirmidhi).
It is very important to emphasize the
importance of protection against the evil eye. We know that this reality is
dangerous for us because the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to seek divine
protection from the evil eye. Indeed, Abu Said (ra) reported, “The Prophet (pbuh) used to ask for protection from the
evil eye of the human being.” (Tirmidhi). This proves to us that
the evil eye is a reality that represents an evil for us and from which we must
preserve ourselves.
The 10 ways to protect yourselves from such
harm are:
1. The first way is
to take refuge with Allah and ask for His protection against the evil of the
envious. In Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113), we find the request
for protection against the evil of the envious. Indeed, Allah says: “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn, from the
evil of that which He created; from the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads;
and from the evil of those who spit on the knots, (i.e., perform malignant
witchcraft). And from the evil of the
envious when he envies.” The
last evil against which we can seek the protection of Allah is evil linked to
the evil eye. It is up to us to implore divine protection against such evil!
2. The second means of protecting
oneself from the evil eye is: The piety towards
Allah, whose orders he enforces, and who avoids forbidden things. Thus
our Lord has revealed: “But if you are steadfast
and pious (i.e. righteous and having the fear of Allah in you), their scheme
will not harm you at all.” (Al-Imran 3: 121) It is up to us to be
pious in order to be protected by our Creator, Insha-Allah.
3. The
third way to benefit from His protection is to have patience and endurance when
faced with the one who wants to touch us by the evil eye. We must not fight the
enemy so that Allah protects us. Indeed, Allah says, “And whoever has retaliated with the like of that which he was made to
suffer, and then has again been wronged, Allah will surely help him.”
(Al-Hajj 22:61). Do not respond to evil with evil, so that we can be protected
by our Protector.
4. The fourth way to gain divine
protection is to rely totally on Allah. Trust in our Creator will preserve us
from this evil. As Allah says, “And whoever puts
his trust in Allah, He [Allah] is sufficient for him.” (At-Talaq 65:4). Our trust in Allah protects us from the harm that can reach us, including
the evil eye.
5. The fifth way to protect
oneself from the evil eye is: the act of stripping the heart of thoughts and
concern related to the envious person. So we can chase the evil of the envious
by not paying attention to him. Our soul will be soothed and we will not be
touched by the envious and his envy.
6. The sixth means that can be
put to work against the evil eye is to pave our way to our Lord. Our soul must
be filled with the love of Allah and be repentant to Him. The evil eye being
one of the works of Satan to reach/ harm the believer, therefore we must return
to Allah so that His (Allah's) enemy and his (Satan's) allies do not harm us.
Allah reports the words of Satan as thus: “Says [Satan]: “By Your Might! I will surely mislead them all, except, among
them, Your chosen servants.” (Sad 38: 83-84). Allah says, “Surely, upon My servants you shall have no authority.”
(Al-Hijr 15: 43). If we want to be protected by the Creator and be counted
among His servants, we must absolutely abandon ourselves (or surrender
ourselves) to Him.
7. The seventh way to avoid the
evil eye is to repent of the sins we have committed. Allah says: “All misfortune that befalls you is due to what your
hands have wrought.” (At-Tur 52: 22). Thus, if the evil eye reaches
us, this evil is due to our sins. Let us repent of our sins to receive divine
protection from the evil eye, Insha-Allah!
8. The eighth way is to be beneficent
and to give (donations/ charity etc.) as much as possible. These good works
will ward off the evil eye from us, Insha-Allah. The doer of good is
protected through the goodness of his gifts/ donations. It is up to us to show
kindness and beneficence to protect ourselves.
9. The ninth means is the most
difficult to accomplish, namely, to respond to evil with good. This requires
great piety and absolute trust in Allah. Only the one who enjoys an important
place with Allah will be able to implement this means. Allah says: “Goodness and evil cannot be equal. Repel (evil) by what
is better; and now the one with whom you had an animosity becomes such a warm
(intimate/ close) friend. But (this privilege) is given only to those who
endure and it is given only to the possessor of an infinite grace. And if ever
the Devil incites you (to do otherwise), then seek refuge with Allah; it is He,
truly the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Fussilat 41: 35-37). Thus,
repelling evil with good is a privilege of our creator to ward off the evil
eye. This capacity is not granted to all and it is very difficult to acquire it.
May Allah give us the capacity to acquire it!
10. Finally,
the last means encompasses all the preceded means: it is Tawhid (or pure
monotheism). It is Allah who destines everything and every element/ event
exist/ happen by His sole permission. Only He can remove the evil eye or other
evil from His servants. Indeed, He says: “And if
Allah should afflict you with harm, then there is none to remove it but He; and
if He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace.” (Yunus,
10: 108). Monotheism (Tawhid) is the greatest fortress of Allah. Whoever
enters it is safe. Surely one who fears Allah will be feared by all. Whoever
does not fear Allah will be afraid of everything.
May Allah forgive us our sins and allow us to pave
our way to Him. May He grant us patience and endurance in the trials that touch
us, and protect us from the evil of the envious when he envies. He alone is our
salvation, He alone is our hope, and He alone is our true friend during the
trials of life. In Him we place our trust and it is to Him our return. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
PRAY FOR
MAURITIUS & MANKIND
Everywhere in the world there are being changes
in the seasons and the atmosphere itself is changing. May Allah save humanity
from all kinds of calamities, and may Allah protect the Ummah
(Community) of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) against the attacks of the non-believers,
and may Allah have mercy on all those who help the cause of the Muslims and
humanity, be him a Muslim or a non-Muslim. We are all humans, and on the basis
of humanity, it is for us to help our fellow human beings (like ourselves) in
all possible ways, Insha-Allah.
May Allah bless us all, and that together, hand
in hand we all work to bring about peace in the world and establish truth and
justice as our Creator (Allah) wishes. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---- Friday Sermon of 19 January 2018 (01 Jamad'ul Awwal 1439 AH) delivered by Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.