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PROPHETS GUIDANCE ON EVIL-EYE, MAGIC/SIHR, RUQYA AND PROPHETIC MEDICINE

As a cure for such evils, Allah has told us to use the words of the Quran. Such a treatment, also referred to as Ruqyah, using Allah’s words from the Quran and prayers both from the Quran and the Ahadith to seek protection from and to treat a person. Allah says in the Quran, “And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…” [Quran 17:82]

"Say: it is for those who believe, a guidance and a cure". [Quan 41:44]

It is a sunnah, due to the saying of A'isha (R):  "When the Messenger of Allah was sick, Jibril performed ruqya on him.  (Muslim).

The prophet (SWS) said:  "Present to me your Ruqyas,  there is no harm in using Ruqya so long as there is no Shirk in it. (Muslim)

Proof For The Reality Of The Evil-Eye

روى مسلم فى "صحيحه" عن ابن عباس، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "العَيْنُ حَقٌ ولو كان شَىْءٌ سَابَقَ القَدَرِ، لَسَبَقتْهُ العَيْنُ".

Sahih Muslim narrated that Ibn Abaas Radi Allaho Anh reported that the Messenger of Allah Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

"The evil eye is true, and if there is anything that would precede pre-destination, it would be the evil eye".

وفى "الصحيحين" من حديث أبى هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "العَيْنُ حَقٌ".

The two sound books narrated that Abu Hurayrah Radi Allaho Anh said that the Messenger of Allah Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said, "The evil eye is true".

وذكر الترمذى، من حديث سفيان بن عُيَينةَ، عن عمرو بن دينار، عن عروة بن عامر، عن عُبيد بن رفاعة الزُّرَقىِّ، أنَّ أسماء بنت عُمَيْس قالت: يا رسولَ الله ؛ إنَّ بَنِى جعفر تُصيبُهم العَينُ، أفأسترْقِى لهم ؟ فقال: "نعم فَلَوْ كان شَىْءٌ يَسْبِقُ القضاءَ لسَبَقَتْهُ العَيْنُ" قال الترمذى: حديث حسن صحيح.

In addition, Tirmizi narrated that Asma Bint Umays Radi Allaho Anha said, "O Messenger of Allah, the children of Ja'far (Radi Allaho Anh) are usually touched by the evil eye. Should I perform an Islamic prayer formula for them"? He said: "Yes. If there is anything that precedes Predestination, it would be the evil eye.

وفى "سنن أبى داود" عن عائشة رضى الله عنها، قالت: كان يُؤمَرُ العائِنُ فيتوضَّأ، ثم يَغْتَسِلُ منه المَعِينُ.

Abu Dawood reported that Aishah Radi Allaho Anha said: "The person who touched others with the evil eye was commanded to perform ablution and the person whom he touched by the evil eye would wash himself with that water".

Imam Malik narrated;

وروى مالك رحمه الله أيضاً عن محمد بن أبى أُمامة بن سهل، عن أبيه هذا الحديث، وقال فيه: "إنَّ العيْنَ حقٌ، توضَّأْ لهُ"، فتوضَّأ له

"The evil eye is true, so perform ablution for it".

Prophet's Guidance On Treatment For The Evil-Eye 

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 1 (concealing your blessing's)

Fighting the evil eye is more likely to be successful if one conceals his blessings, adornment and other forms of beauty which one fears maybe be afflicted with the evil eye.  (see Al-Baghawi's Sharh us-Sunnah - 13/116, Zaad Al - Ma'ad  4/173.

For instance, Al-Baghawi narrated that once Usman Radi Allaho Anh saw a handsome boy and commanded, "Blacken his chin so that the evil eye does not touch him".

Al-Khattabi narrated in Gharib ul Hadith, "It was narrated that Usman Radi Allaho Anh once saw a handsome boy and that he said, "Hide his cleft chin with black color". Usman Radi Allaho Anh wanted to hide the cleft chin of the handsome boy using black color so that he was not touched by the evil eye.

If the person fears that he might touch other people by the evil eye, let him fend off its harm by saying

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عليه , ما شاء الله لا قُوَّة إلا بالله

Allahumma Baarik Alaihe (May Allah Bless him), Masha'Allah (what Allah Has Willed), La Quwwata illa Billah (There is no power except from Allah) also helps fend off the evil eye. Hisham bin Urwah narrated that his father used to say, "What Allah Wills will certainly come to pass, there is no power except from Allah" upon seeing something that he likes and upon entering one of his gardens.  

This supplication is in with accordance with the saying of the prophet (SWS), "If one of you observes something in your brother that pleases you, supplicate that he may be blessed. (Malik - Muwatta 2/938, Ibn Majah - 2/1160, Ahmed 4/447,  

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 2 (fortifying ones protections)

Fortiying ones protection through legal forms of remembrance, supplications and seeking refuge in Allah (SWT) as has already been mentioned in detail under the section Daily Protections.  Plz go to the section Daily Protections on this website, were you can see all of the short Quranic verses and duas's that are easy to memorise, but very important  for every Muslim. 

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 3 (performing ablution)

وروى مالك رحمه الله، عن ابن شهابٍ، عن أبى أُمامةَ بن سهل بن حنيفٍ، قال: رأى عامرُ بن ربيعة سَهْلَ بن حُنَيف يغتسلُ، فقال: واللهِ ما رأيتُ كاليوم ولا جِلْدَ مُخَبَّأة، قال: فلُبِطَ سَهْلٌ، فأتى رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عامراً، فتَغَيَّظَ عليه، وقال: "عَلامَ يَقْتُلُ أحدُكُم أخاهُ ؟ ألاَ بَرَّكْتَ ؟ اغْتَسِلْ له"، فغسل له عامرٌ وجهَه ويديه ومِرفَقَيْه ورُكبتيه، وأطرافَ رِجليه، وداخِلَة إزاره فى قدح، ثم صبَّ عليه، فراحَ مع الناس

In addition, Imam Malik narrated that Amir bin Rabee'ah Radi Allaho Anh once saw Sahl bin Hunaif take a bath and said, "By Allah! I have never observed the skin of a person that is softer than what I have just seen". Sahl fell to the ground. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam then came to Amir while angry and said to him: "Why would one of you kill his own brother? Why have you not said Tabarak Allah, (may Allah bless it) ? Take a bath for it". Amir then washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, feet and a part of his garment in a pot for what he had done and then poured the used water on Sahl. Soon after, Sahl started moving about with the people. [Ibn Majah, Ahmad].

قال الزُّهْرى: يُؤْمَر الرجل العائن بقدح، فيُدخِلُ كفَّه فيه، فيتمضمض، ثم يَمُجّه فى القدح، ويغسِلُ وجهه فى القدح، ثم يُدخِل يده اليُسرى، فيصُبُّ على رُكبته اليُمنى فى القَدَح، ثم يُدخِلُ يده اليُمنى، فيصُبُّ على رُكبته اليُسرى، ثم يَغْسِلُ داخِلَة إزارِهِ، ولا يُوضع القَدَحُ فى الأرض، ثم يُصَبُّ على رأس الرجل الذى تُصيبه العينُ من خلفه صبةً واحدةً.

Zuhri said: "The person who touched others with the evil eye should be commanded to submerge his hand in a pot of water and then wash his mouth, then spit the water back into the pot. He should then wash his face in the pot, then submerges his left hand in it and pour some water on the right knee above the pot, and then submerge his right hand and pour water on his left knee. He should then wash his garment inside the pot and the water should not be spilled on the ground. Rather, it should be poured on top of the person whom he touched by the evil eye from behind all at once".

In addition, the person who touches other people with the evil eye should be commanded to wash his limbs and the end of his garments, from the right side. He then pours the water on the head of the person whom he touched with the evil eye from behind him without notice. This is a type of cure that the doctors cannot produce with their medicine. Those who reject such type of Islamic prayer formulas would never benefit from it because they do not believe that the Islamic prayer formulas carry any benefit.

Since the doctors cannot explain many natural occurrences in this world, why would the hypocrites among them reject such powers and affects that the religion produces? Added to this is the fact that washing with water has a real benefit, experience testifies to its usefulness. Similarly, the anger will be washed away from the heart if one places his hand on the angry person’s chest. This is similar to confronting a man who is carrying a lit torch that he wants to throw at you, but you keep pouring water on it while it is still in his hand until you extinguish it. This is why Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam commanded the person who touches people by the evil eye to ask Allah, to bless whatever he has envied, so that the evil thoughts that he feels go away and are replaced by the supplication, which is a type of good charity. The cure should be compatible to the disease, so that it has an affect on it. It is possible that when one touches others by the evil eye, a certain power appears on the end of his garment, and that it is then transferred to the affected person or object. When it is washed by water, the evil power will be removed. Yet again, and as we have stated, this matter has a lot to do with evil spirits, which will be stopped from producing harm if washed by water. Washing with water serves to cool the heart and thus cures the person who was about to touch others with the evil eye. Sometimes, when a poisonous insect bites someone and then the insect is killed, the bitten person feels a little relief afterwards. In short, when the person who touches others with the evil eye is washed, the evil that he thought of or felt will be washed away with the water.

If someone asks, "if washing with water helps the aggressor, then what about the victim of the evil eye" ?

We say that pouring the water on victims of the evil eye helps cool the effect (of the evil eye) on the victim just as it extinguished the veiled thoughts from the aggressor's heart. Water, which is used to cool burning iron rods, is often used as a medicine with which the doctors would concur. It is natural that the same water used to extinguish the evil eye is used to rid the victim of the evil eye of its effect.

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 2 (performing islamic ruqya)

وفى "الصحيحين" عن عائشة قالت: أمرنى النبىُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أو أَمَرَ أن نَسْتَرْقِىَ من العَيْن.

Further, Aishah Radi Allaho Anha narrated, as the Sahihain reported: "Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam commanded me, or commanded that we should use Islamic prayer formulas for the evil eye.

وفى "صحيحه" أيضاً عن أنس: "أنَّ النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم رخَّصَ فى الرُّقية مِن الحُمَةِ، والعَيْنِ والنَّملةِ

In addition, Muslim narrated that Anas Radi Allaho Anh reported "Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam has allowed using Islamic prayer formulas (Ruqyah ~ The Divine Remedy) against fever, the evil eye and sores".

روى أبو داود فى "سننه" عن سهل بن حُنَيفٍ، قال: مررْنا بَسيْلٍ، فدخلتُ، فاغتسلتُ فيه، فخرجتُ محموماً، فنُمِىَ ذلك إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: "مُرُوا أبا ثابتٍ يَتَعَوَّذُ". قال: فقلتُ: يا سيدى ؛ والرُّقَى صالحة ؟ فقال: "لا رُقيةَ إلا فى نَفْسٍ، أو حُمَةٍ، أو لَدْغَةٍ".

Abu Dawood narrated that Sahl Ibn Hunaif said:

"We come by a water spot and I went in it and took a bath, but when I finished, I came down with a fever. When the Messenger of Allah was informed, he said, Command Abu Thabit to seek refuge (with Allah for Sahl) with an Islamic prayer formula. I said, "O my master! Does an Islamic prayer formula bring about benefit? He said, There is no Islamic prayer formula except to fend off an evil eye and against fever and a (snake or a scorpion) bite.’ [In addition, Al-Hakirn narrated this Hadith].

There are several types of Islamic prayer formulas, such as reciting FATIHAH ~ the first chapter in the Quran, the Mu’awwathatain ~ Surah Falaq & Surah Naas (last 2 chapters 113 and 114 of Quran) and Ayat Al-Kursi (2:255) and the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah as well as the below prescribed supplications by reciting them, lightly spitting and wiping over the affliction with the right hand or if reciting on someone then lightly spitting and blowing on them while reciting, repeating the verses 3 - 7 or more times.   You may also recite over a glass of water lightly spitting into it and thereafter the afflicted person should drink from it pouring the remainder over his head. (Sunan Abu Dawood 4/10, in which the prophet (SWS) did as mentioned to Thabit ibn Qais (R)).  Or one may recite over olive oil and anoint the afflicted person with it (Musnad Ahmed 3/497, see Silsilah al Hadith al Sahihah 11108 (379).  It is better if the water is rain water or from the well of zamzam, but of course only if such water is acquired without difficulty.

In addition, there are several types of Prophetic Islamic prayer formulas. For instance, one might recite:

"أعوذُ بكلماتِ اللهِ التامَّاتِ مِن شرِّ ما خَلق".

"I seek refuge with Allah’s Prefect Words from the evil of what He has created".

In addition, one could recite:

"أعوذُ بكلماتِ اللهِ التامَّةِ، مِن كُلِّ شيطانٍ وهامَّةٍ، ومِن كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لامَّةٍ".

I seek refuge with Allah’s Prefect Words from every devil and evil soul and from every evil Eye".

Also, one might recite,

"أَعُوذُ بكلماتِ اللهِ التامَّةِ مِن غضبه وعِقَابه، ومِن شرِّ عباده، ومِن هَمَزات الشياطينِ وأن يَحضُرونِ".

"I seek refuge with Allah’s Perfect Words from His Anger and torment, from the evil of His slaves and from the whispers of the devils or that they might attend me".

In addition, angel Jibreel once said an Islamic prayer formula for Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam, which Muslim narrated in his sound book:

"باسمِ اللهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ يُؤذيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نفسٍ أو عَيْنِ حَاسدٍ اللهُ يَشفِيكَ، باسمِ اللهِ أرْقِيكَ".

"In the Name of Allah, I say Islamic prayer formulas for your benefit, from every illness that might harm you and from the evil of every evil soul or envious person’s eye. Allah Will Cure you. In the Name of Allah, I say Islamic prayer formulas for your benefit. [Tirmizi and An-Nasa'ii]

Those who try these different types of supplications and Islamic prayer formulas will surely understand their great value and benefit, and consequently, will recognize the great need for them. These supplications will shield one from the effects of the evil eye and will fend off its harm if the evil eye touched them, but according to the degree of Faith, strength of soul, degree of reliance (on Allah) and strength of heart of whoever recites them. These supplications are types of weapons, and their effectiveness depends on the skill of whoever uses them.

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 5 ( writing verses and using to drink with)

Some of our rightly guided ancestors stated that there is no harm if some Ayah (Verse) from the Quran were written in ink and then washed with water and that the sick person drinks that water. Mujahid issued a statement to that fact, and so did Abu Qilabah. It was reported that Ibn Abbas Radi Allaho Anh once commanded that two verses from the Quran to be written for a woman who had hard pregnancies and that the Verses were then washed with water and she was to drink the water. In addition, Ayyub said, "I saw Abu Qilabah write some verses from the Quran, wash it with water and then give the water to a person who was suffering from some type of illness to drink it".  The written verses should consist of the above mentioned Quranic verses and supplications.

Treating The Evil Eye - Method 6

Another Islamic prayer formula that helps ward off the evil eye was related by Abu Abdullah, he was once traveling for Hajj or Jihad using a good animal. There was a man in the caravan who would never look at something but would bring it to its demise. Abu Abdullah was then told, "Preserve your camel from this man’s eye. He said, "My camel cannot be touched by harm". The person who touched with the evil eye was informed of Abu Abdullah's response and he waited for a chance when Abu Abdullah was not present and looked at the camel which soon fell on its feet. When Abu Abdullah came and was told that the person had touched it with the evil eye and that his camel was suffering, as was evident, he said, ‘Show me the man.’ When he came by him, he said,

بسمِ اللهِ، حَبْسٌ حابسٌ، وحَجَرٌ يابِسٌ، وشِهابٌ قابِسٌ، ردَّت عين العائن عليه، وعلى أحبِّ الناس إليه، فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنْقَلِبْ إلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئاً وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ

"In the Name of Allah, a restraint that restrains, a hard rock and a blazing star: I ask that the evil eye returns to the person who started it and on the dearest people to him (meaning the envious person himself. Then look again: Can you see any rifts? Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and wow out" (67:3, 4)

Then, the person known for the evil eye lost his sight and the camel was cured. 

                                                    Proof For The Reality Of Sorcery/Magic/Sihr

The Quran states:   "Moses said, What do you say this to the truth, when it has come to you?  Is this sorcery?  But sorcerers do not prosper. [ 11:77 ]

Then when they had cast, Moses said, 'What you have brought is sorcery; Allah will assuredly bring it to naught.  Allah sets not right the work of those who do corruption.  Allah verifies the truth by His words, though sinners be averse'. [11:81-82]

Say: 'I take refuge with the lord of the daybreak from the evil of what He has created, from the evil of darkness when it gathers, from the evil of the women who blow on knots, from the evil of an envier when he envies'. [chapter 113]

In the Sahihain, it is narrated that Aishah Radi Allaho Anha said:

"The Messenger of Allah Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was affected by SEHR ~ sorcery until he thought that he had slept with his wives, while in fact he did not".

This is the worst type of magical spell.

The second type, extracting harmful substances from the organ is most touched by magic works. Evil spells aggravate nature, produce harmful substances and adversely affect the mood. Disgorging the alien substance (that affected a certain organ as a result of evil spells) becomes necessary.

Abu Ubaid has mentioned in his book, on the authority of Abdul Rahman Bin Abi Layla that Prophet Muhammad Sallalllaho Alaihe Wasallam had HIJAMAH performed on his head by a thorn when he was affected by Tubb, & Abu Ubaid says that Tubb means magic.

Some people have erroneously denied that SEHR ~ sorcery (magic) could affect Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam; they believed that it was not befitting his grade and status. Actually, being effected by SEHR ~ sorcery illustrates the human side of the Prophet, just like he suffered from various other illnesses, and sorcery is an ailment just like poison.

Qazi Eyadh said, SEHR ~ sorcery is just like any other ailment that our beloved Prophet had suffered from, and this fact by no means affects his status as a Prophet. Furthermore, the fact that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam had imagined something which he did not perform, does not detract from his truthfulness regarding religion; there is a consensus that he is immune from error in this regard. SEHR ~ sorcery is just like any other matter of this life, which has nothing to do with the reason why he was sent and preferred above mankind. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was subject to come down with all types of ailments that would touch other people. Therefore, it is not surprising that he would imagine doing something which in fact he did not do, and that he was soon cured.

Further, the magic spell only affected our beloved Prophet’s senses; not his sanity or heart. This is why he did not believe what he imagined of sleeping with his wives because he knew that this sensation was not real.

                                                      Prophetic Guidance On Treating Sorcery

Treating Sorcery - Method 1 (fortifying ones protections)                                                 

Fortiying ones protection through legal forms of remembrance, supplications, Quranic verses and seeking refuge in Allah (SWT) as has already been mentioned in detail under the section Daily Protections. Plz go to the section Daily Protections on this website, were you can see all of the short Quranic verses and duas's that are easy to memorise, but are very important for every Muslim. 

Establishing all that is obligatory, abstaining from all that is prohibited and repenting from all sins.

The consumption of seven dates on awaking (before breakfast) as often as possible as the prophet (SWS) said "Whoever begins the morning with consumption of seven ajwa dates will not be afflicted with poisoning or sorcery (on that day).  (Al-Bukhari (with al-Fat'h) and Muslim).

Treating Sorcery - Method 2 (finding the source of sorcery)

Through the physical removel and nullification of the sorcery source if its whereabouts is known, albeit through permissible means prescribed by the shari'ah, this being the most effective method of treating the affected individual.  (see Zaad Al-Ma'ad 4/124, Al-Bukhari with Al-Fath, Muslim 4/1917.

Treating Sorcery - Method 3 (preforming islamic ruqya)

The recitation of FATIHAH ~ the first chapter in the Quran, the Mu’awwathatain ~ Surah Falaq & Surah Naas (last 2 chapters 113 and 114 of Quran) and Ayat Al-Kursi (2:255) and the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah as well as the above  prescribed supplications by reciting them all 3 / 7 (or more) times, lightly spitting and wiping over face with the right hand or if reciting on someone then lightly spitting and blowing on them while reciting.  The supplications and Quranic verses mentioned below in the section using sidr leaves can also be added. There are many other verses etc used in treating sorcery, for more details refer to books on ruqya. 

Treating Sorcery - Method 4 (hijama - cupping)

Seeking the extraction of the affliction through the process of cupping either the area or the bodily member (as much as possible) where the effect of sorcery has made itself manifest is very beneficial. 

Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (SWS) was cupped on his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if performed correctly. [Zaad al Ma'aad (4/125-126)].

Treating Sorcery - Method 5 (natural remedies)

Natural remedies, of which there are many that are beneficial and prescribed by the purifying Quran and Sunnah, on condition that the treatment is greeted with the certainty and truth by the patient, whereby he wholeheartedly believes the the remedy benefits with the permision of Allah (SWT) and that all benefit lies with him in the end.  Some of these include: Honey, Black seed, Zamzam Water, Rain Water, Olive Oil, Ajwa, Costus, Senna Leaves, Sidr Leaves, Misk and Lubaan.  Below in the treating with medicine section there are details on how some of theses remedies can be applied.  Reciting ruqya over them will InshaAllah increase the healing affect and  Allah (SWT) knows best.  

A Hadith [narrated by Ibn Majah and others] stated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

علَيْكُم بالشِّفَاءَيْنِ‏:‏ العَسَلِ والقُرآنِ

"Make use of the two cures: Honey and the Quran".

This Hadith joins the material and the divine cures, the medicine of the body and the soul, the earthly medicine and the heavenly cure.

        Treating Evil-Eye, Sorcery and Illnesses With Prophetic Medicine's

Using Sidr Leaves

Using the Sidr: A group of scholars claim that Sidr is an effective cure of magic, Allah Willing.

Al-Hafez bin Hajar said in Al-Fath that Ibn Abtal stated in the books of Wahab bin Menabah to take seven leaves of a green Sidr, grind them with two rocks, add water to it, read the verse of Al-Korsi and Al-Qawakil, take three sips, then wash up with the rest. This will remove all of his afflictions, and is a cure for men who have sexual disorders (Fath Al-Bari -10/233).

Al-Lalkaii said that Mohamed ibn Othman related that Said bin Mohamed Al-Hanat stated: ''Ishaq ibn Abi Israel said ' I heard Sufyan says that Sulayman ibn Omaya (Sheikhh of Thaqif) ibn Masoud heard Aisha advise a woman to use Sidr and water to wash the traces of magic (Sharh Usul Itiqad Ahl Al-Sunah wa Al-Jamaa -7/1288).

Sheikhh Abdullah bin Abdelrahman Al-Jibrin stated '' I used Ruqya on relatives and friends who were not able to have intercourse with their wives following what Ibn Kathir said. I used Sidr leaves and recited the verses he mentioned and they were cured, Allah Willing.''

It is worth mentioning that using the water of Sidr in the stated manner has a great effect, and lots of therapists are aware of this fact. However, its benefit is not only confined to men who cannot have intercourse with his wives, but also includes those afflicted with epilepsy, evil eye and magic in general (used for washing only).