Daily Practices to Protect Yourself from the Evil Eye

The evil eye, or being "struck by the eye," is widely discussed in our society, but there are many misconceptions about it too. Some deny it completely, while others see every illness and hardship as the result of the eye. Islam teaches a balanced position between these two extremes.

Does the evil eye really exist?

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in clear words:

الْعَيْنُ حَقٌّ

The evil eye is real. (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)Copy

This means it is not a superstition, but a reality that can have an effect only by the permission of Allah Ta'ala. At the same time, we must remember — both harm and shifa (healing) are in Allah's hands. No person, amulet or practice can bring anything about on its own.

Not every illness is the evil eye. Fever, anxiety, fatigue or sleep problems may have ordinary physical and psychological causes. First take the advice of a qualified doctor, and let ruqyah go alongside it.

Daily Protection Practices

1. Morning and evening adhkar

Recite regularly in the morning after Fajr and in the evening after Asr:

• Ayat al-Kursi — once
• Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas — three times each

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had the habit every night of reciting these three surahs, blowing lightly into both hands, and wiping them over his whole body.

2. The dua for seeking refuge

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created. (Sahih Muslim)Copy

The hadith brings the good news that whoever recites it three times in the evening, no harm from anything will touch them that night.

3. Before leaving the house

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing in the earth or in the heavens can cause harm; and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Sunan Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)Copy

It is Sunnah to recite it three times in the morning and in the evening.

So that You Do Not Cast the Eye on Others

This aspect is often left out when discussing protection from the evil eye. When you like someone's child, wealth, appearance or success, it is Sunnah to make a dua for barakah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to someone like that — "Why did you not make a dua for barakah?"

• When you are impressed, say: "Masha'Allah, Tabarak Allah"
• Make dua for the other person: "Barak Allahu lak"

In this way your own heart stays clean from hasad, and good comes to the other person as well.

What to Do If the Evil Eye Has Struck

1. Do not panic — fear and restlessness increase the suffering, and relying on Allah is the first treatment.
2. Perform self-ruqyah — recite Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs, blow lightly into water, and then drink that water and bathe with it.
3. Continue regularly and with patience — do not lose hope if you do not see results in a single day.
4. If needed, take the advice of an experienced and devout raqi.

Allah Ta'ala says:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And We send down of the Qur’ān that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss. (Surah Al-Israa 17:82 — Saheeh International; meaning of the complete verse)Copy

Shifa comes from Allah alone. Our duty is only to keep doing the amal and to be patient. May Allah grant all of us health and safety. Ameen.