What is Islamic view of evil eye?

Sources

• ✓ 5:100 · Al-Maaida

  5:100 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  قُل لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْخَبِيثُ وَٱلطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ ٱلْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

  Say: The evil and the good are not alike even though the plenty of the evil attract thee. So be mindful of your duty to Allah, O men of understanding, that ye may succeed.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 5:100

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 5:100

  Allah commands His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ in this verse: Say, "The impure and the pure are not equal, even if the abundance of the impure impresses you." This means, O human being, that a small amount of lawful and beneficial matter is better than a large quantity of forbidden and harmful things. This is supported by the hadith: "What is little and sufficient is better than much and distracting." Abu al-Qasim al-Baghawi narrates from Abu Umamah, who reported that Tha'laba ibn Hatib asked the Prophet ﷺ to pray to Allah to grant him wealth. The Prophet ﷺ replied: "Little that you can be grateful for is better than much that you cannot manage." Then Allah says: "So fear Allah, O people of understanding," meaning, O those of sound and upright intellects, avoid the forbidden and leave it, be content with what is lawful, and suffice yourselves with it, "that you may succeed" in this world and the hereafter. Next, the verse addresses the believers, forbidding them from asking about things that, if made manifest, would distress them. This is a discipline and prohibition from Allah to the believers against probing into matters where such questioning is of no benefit. If such things are disclosed, they may cause them sorrow or hardship. This is exemplified in a hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not inform me of anything from anyone. I prefer to come to you with a tranquil heart." Al-Bukhari relates that during a remarkable sermon, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much." Hearing this, the companions covered their faces with their cloaks out of sorrow. A man asked about his father, and after the answer, this verse was revealed forbidding inquiries about troublesome matters. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari records from Qatada that when this verse was revealed, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ was overwhelmed by continuous questions to the point he stated: "Do not question me about anything today except what I explain to you." The companions feared pending matters and were greatly saddened. Another narration from Abu Huraira describes the Prophet ﷺ angry and exhausted from questions and refusing to answer certain inquiries, responding sharply to a man's question about his father being in Hell, leading to Umar ibn al-Khattab calming the situation by declaring their acceptance of Allah, Islam, the Prophet, and the Quran, after which the verse was revealed. Reported by many early scholars, including al-Suddi and Ibn Abbas, the verse served to prohibit questions akin to those the People of the Book asked that led to their loss of faith. For example, the Christians' demand regarding the table spread with food and the Jews asking for a revelation from heaven. Allah explains that such questions were barred to prevent tightening of the religion or hardship, and if the Quran mentions a matter in general, detailed explanation may be sought when the need arises. The verse also relates that Allah has pardoned former times and those questions not explicitly detailed in revelation should be left alone, following the Prophet's own guidance: "Leave that which I leave you; surely those destroyed before you ruined themselves by excessive questioning and disputing with their prophets." Therefore, the apparent meaning is a prohibition against inquiring into matters that would distress the questioner, encouraging avoidance and leaving such matters alone. The wisdom is that the excessive questioning of the past led to disbelief and hardship. Among interpretations, al-Khasif relates from Mujahid and Ibn Abbas that the forbidden questions include those concerning pre-Islamic specific religious rites such as al-Bahira, al-Wasilah, and al-Sa'ibah (types of pre-Islamic practices), and that in general, they were questioning about verses demanding signs or miracles, but such acts are discouraged as Allah's purpose is to warn and guide, not to indulge stubborn thoroughness in inquiries. These prohibitions remind one of Allah’s words: "What prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them..." and, "They swear by Allah with their strongest oaths that if a sign comes to them, they will surely believe; say, 'Signs are only with Allah...'" (Qur'an). Thus, this verse teaches restraint from excessive questioning that leads to harm, uprooting doubt and disputes, and promoting faith in the revealed guidance with patience and trust in Allah's wisdom.

• ✓ Sahih Muslim 39:56

  Sunni SAHIH

  Sahih Muslim · Book 39, Hadith 56 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas

  The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'The evil eye is true, and if anything were to precede destiny, it would be the evil eye. When you perform ablution, wash carefully.'"