Falling ill due to ‘Nazr’ (an evil glance)
Question:-
I have a question with regards to Nazr. I know that Nazr involves pictures.
Recently, I have been getting evil thoughts from Shaytaan where he tells me that, if you make Nazr on a person then you must take their picture and recite ‘Aa’oothu Billah’ with the persons name and blow or spit on it. Can you please clarify this issue?
Also, how can I overcome the whispers and doubts of Shaytaan?
Answer:-
A person can be affected by the Nazr (evil gaze) of another person when one casts an evil glance at the other, irrespective of whether it was done intentionally or unintentionally. The keeping and storing of photographs is prohibited in Shariah, hence, if one destroys all photos that may have been taken in the past (due to ignorance), then the issue of the evil eye on photos will not exist.
The gaze of Hadrat Aamir Bin Rabi’a Radiallahu Anhu fell on Hadrat Sahl Bin Hunaif Radiallahu Anhu when he was taking a bath. Hadrat Aamir stated that by Allah, he didn’t see anyone like he has seen today, which resulted in Hadrat Sahl Radiallahu Anhu falling ill. He became so sick that he wasn’t even able to lift his head, thus he was brought to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam asked, “Do you suspect anyone (that caused this to happen?)” They said, “We suspect Aamir Bin Rabi’a.” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam called for him and reprimanded him by saying, “Why would anyone of you kill his brother? Why didn’t you make Dua of Barakah for him? Wash him!” Hadrat Aamir Bin Rabi’a Radiallahu Anhu then washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, the end of his feet and the inner portion of his Lungi (loin cloth) in a container. The water was then poured on him and Hadrat Sahl Radiallahu Anhu departed with the people totally cured. There is no harm in adopting this method when one is affected with Nazr! This narration is recorded in Sharhus Sunnah and is also narrated by Imaam Maalik Rahimahullah. In one narration, it is mentioned (in regards to the same incident) where it was stated, “The eye is a reality, hence, make Wudhu for him (the patient), then (the one that casted the evil glance) made Wudhu for him. [Re:- Mishkaat-ul-Masaabeeh Pg.39]
Similarly, the scholars have approved of reciting verses of the Quraan Sharif or Surah Fateha, and blowing on chillies or salt and thereby removing Nazr. [Re:- Kitabun Nawaazil Pg. 325 Vol.16]
وفيها لا بأس بوضع الجماجم في الزرع والمبطخة لدفع ضرر العين، لأن العين حق تصيب المال، والآدمي والحيوان ويظهر أثره في ذلك عرف بالآثار فإذا نظر الناظر إلى الزرع يقع نظره أولا على الجماجم، لارتفاعها فنظره بعد ذلك إلى الحرث لا يضره روي «أن امرأة جاءت إلى النبي – صلى الله تعالى عليه وسلم – وقالت نحن من أهل الحرث وإنا نخاف عليه العين فأمر النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – أن يجعل فيه الجماجم» اهـ.
[تتمة] في شرح البخاري للإمام العيني من باب: العين حق. روى أبو داود من حديث عائشة أنها قالت: «كان يؤمر العائن فيتوضأ ثم يغتسل منه المعين» قال عياض: قال بعض العلماء: ينبغي إذا عرف واحد بالإصابة بالعين أن يجتنب ويحترز منه، وينبغي للإمام منعه من مداخلة الناس، ويلزمه بيته وإن كان فقيرا رزقه ما يكفيه فضرره أكثر من ضرر آكل الثوم والبصل، ومن ضرر المجذوم الذي منعه عمر – رضي الله عنه – وفي النسائي أن النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قال «إذا رأى أحدكم من نفسه أو ماله أو أخيه شيئا يعجبه فليدع بالبركة فإن العين حق» ” والدعاء بالبركة أن يقول: تبارك الله أحسن الخالقين اللهم بارك فيه ويؤمر العائن بالاغتسال ويجبر إن أبى اهـ ملخصا وتمامه فيه والله سبحانه وتعالى أعلم. (رد المحتار ص364 ج6)
If one is attracted by the physical features of another human being, or the beauty of a child, or is attracted to the wealth or conveyance of another person, then he should make Dua for Barakah for him. He should recite,
تبارك الله أحسن الخالقين اللهم بارك فيه
Blessed is Allah Who is the best of creators. O Allah, Grant Barakah in it!
The person that cast the evil eye should also be instructed to wash the person upon whom he cast his gaze, and if he refuses to do so, then he should be forced to do so.
Similarly, recitation of verses 51 and 52 of Surah 68 (that is the last two verses of Surah Qalam) is very effective in protecting one from Nazr. These are the methods prescribed from reliable sources as protection against Nazr, hence, we should adopt any of these methods of protection.
Yes, the recitation of Ta’awwuz (Aa’oozoo Billah…..) is very effective in dispelling evil thoughts which are generally from Shaytaan. By reciting Ta’awwuz, one is seeking protection in Allah from Shaytaan. Similarly, recitation of ‘La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billah’ is also effective in repelling evil thoughts. Any of these may be recited when encountering Wasaawis from Shaytaan.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 06 Rajab 1443 / 08 February 2022