Protection from the Evil Eye in Islam: Duas, Ruqyah and Taweez
Reviewed by [REVIEWER NAME], Chishti-Qadiri silsila | Last updated: [DATE]
What is the best protection against the evil eye in Islam? The best-supported protection is the Prophetic one: morning and evening adhkar (Ayatul Kursi, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas), ruqyah, and praying for blessing on what you admire. Some Muslims also wear a Quranic taweez. Scholars differ on wearing one, and no object protects without Allah’s permission.
Is the Evil Eye (Nazar) Real in Islam?
Yes. The evil eye (‘ayn, or nazar) is acknowledged in the Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The evil eye is real” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5740). It can arise from envy, or from admiring something without asking Allah to bless it. Muslims are taught to seek refuge in Allah from it.
Medical caution: sudden illness, persistent fatigue, anxiety or nightmares can have medical causes. Please see a doctor first. Treat spiritual practices as a complement to medical care, never a replacement.
Common Reported Signs of the Evil Eye
The hadith do not give a symptom checklist, so none of the following is a diagnosis. People commonly report:
- Sudden, unexplained setbacks soon after being admired or envied
- A healthy child suddenly becoming unwell or restless after praise without blessing
- Persistent heaviness, fatigue or loss of appetite with no medical finding
If you have physical or mental symptoms, see a doctor before assuming a spiritual cause.
Protection from the Sunnah
These practices have the strongest textual basis, cost nothing, and do not depend on owning anything.
| Practice | How | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ayatul Kursi (2:255) | Recite before sleep. Many also recite it morning and evening. | Sahih al-Bukhari 2311 (before sleep). The morning and evening practice is from other reports; verify the grading with your scholar. |
| Last two verses of Al-Baqarah (2:285-286) | Recite at night | Sahih al-Bukhari 5009 |
| Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas | Recite three times each, morning and evening | Abu Dawud 5082; Tirmidhi 3575 |
| Al-Fatiha as ruqyah | Recite over yourself or a sick person | Sahih al-Bukhari 5736 |
| Surah Al-Baqarah in the home | Recite or play it in the house | Sahih Muslim 780 |
| Pray for blessing on what you admire | Say “Masha’Allah, barakallahu fih” or “Allahumma barik ‘alayhi” | Musnad Ahmad; Ibn Majah |
| Bathing request | If a person known to have affected someone with the evil eye is asked to wash, they should comply | Sahih Muslim 2188 |
Dua to Protect Children from the Evil Eye
The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge for Hasan and Husayn with these words (Sahih al-Bukhari 3371):
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ | U’idhukuma bi kalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah | “I seek refuge for you both in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and harmful creature, and from every harmful eye.” |
Customary Practices (Optional)
Many people also practice the following. They are customary and not prescribed in the hadith, so treat them as optional.
- Ruqyah water: blowing on water after reciting the Quls and Ayatul Kursi, then drinking it.
- Salt water cleansing: washing the face and hands with salt water. This has no specific Prophetic source.
- Daily sadaqah: giving even a small amount. Charity is encouraged in general and is a way of asking Allah to repel hardship. See also Morning and Evening Adhkar.
Is Wearing a Taweez Permissible?
Scholars differ.
| View | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Permitted, if it contains only the Quran or authentic supplications | Held by some early and later scholars, including a narration from Imam Ahmad. They compare it to ruqyah and hold that the verses are a means, while benefit comes only from Allah. |
| Not permitted | Held by many scholars, including many contemporary ones. They cite the hadith that ruqyah (of the impermissible kind), tama’im (amulets) and tiwalah are shirk (Abu Dawud 3883), and the concern that wearing objects leads people to rely on them instead of Allah. |
All scholars agree that:
- Believing any object has power by itself is shirk.
- Amulets with non-Quranic symbols, unknown writing or invocation of anyone other than Allah are impermissible.
- The Prophetic adhkar and ruqyah above are valid for everyone.
If you are unsure, follow a scholar you trust. You can practice everything above without a taweez.
The Complete Quran Coded Taweez
For those who hold that wearing a taweez is permissible, the Complete Quran Coded Taweez encodes all 114 surahs through ilm al-huruf (the science of letters), a centuries-old tradition in Sufi scholarship.
- What it is: a handcrafted amulet carried as a reminder to rely on Allah and as a supplication for His protection.
- What it is not: a guarantee against harm, a replacement for the adhkar above, or a cure for illness.
- What is inside: [CONTENTS DESCRIPTION: state plainly what is written (Quranic text only? letter squares?), and how it is prepared. Buyers who follow the “Quran and authentic supplications only” view need this before ordering.]
Surahs Commonly Recited for Protection
| Surah | Theme |
|---|---|
| Al-Falaq (113) | Refuge from the evil of an envier when he envies (113:5) |
| An-Nas (114) | Refuge from the whispering of shaytan |
| Al-Ikhlas (112) | Pure monotheism |
| Al-Fatiha (1) | Used as ruqyah |
| Al-Baqarah (2) | Ayatul Kursi (2:255) and the closing verses (2:285-286) |
Three Approaches to Protection
| Prophetic adhkar and ruqyah | Single-verse or short-surah amulet | Complete Quran Coded Taweez | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis | Authentic hadith | Scholars differ | Scholars differ |
| Cost | Free | Varies | From $199 |
| Requires wearing an object | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Everyone | Those who permit amulets | Those who permit amulets and want all 114 surahs encoded |
Practical Care
- Those who permit a taweez advise treating it with respect: remove it before the washroom and during intimacy, as you would a copy of the Quran.
- Keep it as a means and remember that Allah alone protects.
- Keep up the daily adhkar. They are the core of Prophetic protection.
- For persistent symptoms, consult a doctor first. For concerns about sihr or jinn, see our page on black magic and jinn protection and consult a qualified practitioner who follows the Sunnah. See also anxiety and peace of mind and wealth and rizq.
Prepared with Transparency
Prepared by: Sufi scholars of the Chishti-Qadiri silsila
Method: Ilm al-huruf (science of letters)
Materials: Saffron ink on parchment; silver locket (Premium and Collector)
Verification: Scholar certification and a video of the preparation are available on request
Choose Your Edition
| Edition | Price | What is included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | $199 | Complete Quran encoded, standard locket, guidance card, certificate | Personal use |
| Premium | $499 | Silver locket, personalized intention, gift box, priority shipping | Those who want a personalized edition |
| Collector | $1,299 | Sheikh-signed numbered certificate, velvet box, video blessing | Collectors and gifting |
Order the Complete Quran Coded Taweez
Free worldwide shipping | 30-day craftsmanship guarantee | Scholar verification available on request
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best protection against the evil eye in Islam?
The best-supported protection is the Prophetic one: morning and evening adhkar (Ayatul Kursi, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas), ruqyah, and praying for blessing on what you admire. Some Muslims also wear a Quranic taweez as a supplication for protection. Scholars differ on this, and no object protects without Allah’s permission.
Is the evil eye real in Islam?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said that the evil eye is real (Sahih al-Bukhari 5740). It can arise from envy or from admiring something without asking Allah to bless it.
What are the signs of the evil eye in Islam?
The hadith give no symptom checklist. People commonly report sudden setbacks, a child falling ill after unblessed praise, or unexplained heaviness. These can have medical causes, so see a doctor first.
What dua protects children from the evil eye?
The Prophet ﷺ sought refuge for Hasan and Husayn with: “U’idhukuma bi kalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3371). It means: I seek refuge for you both in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and harmful creature, and from every harmful eye.
What should I say when I admire something so it does not cause the evil eye?
Say “Masha’Allah, barakallahu fih” or “Allahumma barik ‘alayhi” to ask Allah to bless what you admire (Musnad Ahmad; Ibn Majah).
Is taweez haram in Islam?
Scholars differ. Some permit wearing an amulet that contains only the Quran or authentic supplications, while others consider wearing any amulet impermissible, citing the hadith that tama’im are shirk. All agree that believing an object has power by itself is shirk, and that amulets with non-Quranic symbols or invocation of others than Allah are impermissible. Consult a scholar you trust.
Are blue evil eye amulets (nazar battu) permitted?
The blue eye bead is a cultural item with no basis in the Quran or Sunnah, and many scholars consider relying on it impermissible. A Quranic taweez is a different matter, though scholars differ on that as well.
Are ruqyah water and salt water cleansing from the Sunnah?
Ruqyah itself (reciting Quran and authentic supplications) is established. Blowing on water, drinking it and washing with salt water are customary practices with no specific Prophetic source, so treat them as optional.
Can a taweez cure illness, anxiety or nightmares?
No. These can have medical causes, so please see a doctor. Spiritual practices may bring comfort and are a complement to medical care, not a replacement.
Is there a guarantee?
We guarantee authentic materials and traditional craftsmanship, backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on craftsmanship. We do not guarantee spiritual outcomes, which are in the hands of Allah.