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Evil’ and the ‘Evil Eye’ in Islam and Islamic Faith-Healing Traditions

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Evil’ and the ‘Evil Eye’ in Islam and Islamic Faith-Healing Traditions Volume 3, Issue 2 Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization Fall 2013 The Concept of the ‘Evil’ and the ‘Evil Eye’ in Islam and Islamic Faith-Healing Traditions Azher Hameed Qamar Abstract Evil is a power that may possess a human to commit sins. Evil is all negative, conflicting and opposing to the all positive ‘good’. Religious descriptions of evil and good often relate it to the opposing forces led by the Devil and God respectively where human is weak and vulnerable. Arrogance and envy are two satanic traits that occupy human nature to deviate him from the ‘good’. Islam describes a variety of evil acts that cause destruction, disobedience, tyranny and hopelessness in human societies. According to Islamic tradi- tions, arrogance and envy are satanic obsessions. The evil eye is one of the evils triggered by envious self of the human under the influence of the Evil (Satan). Humans, under the obsession of this evil, may bring harm to their fellow men, intentionally or unintentionally. Since health and prosperity is valuable for sur- vival, the evil eye can destroy them. Humans can overcome these obsessions only with the blessing of God and invoking their innate righteousness. Humans can protect themselves from the harmful and destructive effects of the evil eye, if they trust in God and seek His refuge. Islam emphasizes the Quran having healing and protective powers, and recommends following the Islamic traditions set by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and advised in Quran to gain protection and cure. Keywords: Evil, Evil Eye, Religion, Islam Introduction deeds of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)2. To explain the Islamic perspective on the belief in the evil eye and The definition of ‘evil’ varies across cultures and reli- recommended preventive and healing measures, I se- gions but a general understanding of the concept ‘evil’ lected the most authentic collections of ahadith (Sahi is “something/someone that brings harm”. Synonyms Bukhari, Sahi Muslim, and Sunan Abu-Dawood) and of the word ‘evil’ in several dictionaries describe it as famous Quran translation (The Noble Quran) and in- “wicked, malevolent, sinful, malicious, criminal, im- terpretation (Ibn Kathir). Since I used Arabic/ Urdu moral, harmful, and damaging”. ‘Evil’ as all negative version of ahadith collection, for English translation, I gives meaning to the ‘good’ as all positive. Since used online source www.sunnah.com. To provide a bet- health and prosperity are two valuable aspects of a ter understanding of the content described in this sec- peaceful human society, any harm or damage to these tion, I interviewed (telephonic interviews) three reli- two aspects can bring disaster and despair. Religious gious scholars from India and Pakistan about the evil beliefs hold a special place in societies where faith- eye and Islamic protection and healing. Authentic Is- healing is popular. The belief in the power of evil lamic sources confirm the power of the evil eye that, working and affecting the objects it falls on is universal initiated by Satan, may overcome human beings if not and rooted in prehistoric times1. Religions that influ- encountered by seeking protection of Almighty God. ence majority of the world population define evil and The fertility of the evil eye lies in the exploitation of evil practices in their respective human-God, human- human weaknesses (like jealousy, evil suspicions and devil and God-devil relationships. Almost all religions greed) by Satan. Islamic traditions describe the harmful have a consensus on the power of the evil that occupies influences of the evil eye and recommended protection humans to influence other creations. The ‘evil eye’ is and cure. one of the distinct forms of evil related to the belief that a glance may have powers to inflict injury, harm Discussion and even death upon whom it falls. Religion, as an im- Belief is “a state of mind that embodies trust and con- portant part of culture, describes the working of the 3 fidence in something” . Human beings attain this state evil eye, its effects and recommends preventive and of mind from the belief systems to which they belong. curative measures. Islam is the second major religion The belief system guides them to understand the ab- of the world after Christianity. Islamic education and stract and mysterious concepts related to their life in all information is primarily based on the holy book Quran aspects. Islam, as a belief system, describes the vulne- and Sahi Ahadith, an authentic record of the words and 44 Volume 3, Issue 2 Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization Fall 2013 rability of the human in his/her mortal surroundings, Quran comments several evil doings that Satan in- the power that evil (satan) exercises on him/her to spired humans to do, for example; bring harm, and the methods to seek Divine (God) pro- [Shaitan (Satan)] commands you only what is evil tection. The evil targets health and prosperity to disturb and Fahsha (sinful), and that you should say peace and harmony and cultivate disbelief (in God). A against Allah what you know not.9 believer, who is firm in his/her faith, invokes blessing Why do not the rabbis and the religious learned of Almighty God to fight against the evil. The Quran men forbid them from uttering sinful words and describes the story of Prophet Ayyub (Job) (AS) who from eating illegal things? Evil indeed is that which invoked God’s blessing in these words; they have been performing.10 And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Give full measure and weight in justice and reduce Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship (by not the things that are due to the people, and do not 11 ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my commit mischief in the land, causing corruption. wealth)."4 And come not near to the unlawful sexual inter- course. Verily, it is a Fahishah [i.e. anything that Before discussing the evil eye belief in Islamic tradi- transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way tions, a description of evil’ as depicted in Islamic (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him).12 sources of knowledge will explain the evil eye belief in Shaitan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and ha- Islam. tred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic The ‘Evil’, as depicted in Islamic Sources of Knowledge drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the re- 13 According to Miller 5 , The Quran gives 43 different membrance of Allah. terms for evil and sin. He specifically mentions seven Another important aspect of the power of evil in Islam- words describing evil; ic sources of knowledge is its limitation when com- pared to the power of good. Satan may provoke evil in Evil – shame, vice and wickedness many ways, but he does not hold powers to control Darkness – ignorance, failure to acknowledge the natural phenomenon (usually named as natural evils); thus natural destructions (like floods, earthquakes, Almighty and turn to Him storms) are not natural evils controlled by an evil au- Wrong-doing – wrong action resulting from unbelief thority. The Quran describes these natural destructive powers controlled by God either as a test to mankind or and nonacceptance of God a punishment for their wrong doings; Error – intentional, deliberate sins No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. deci- Offence – wrong attitude to others and injustice sion and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Al- lah.14 Disobedience – breaking God’s command, being And certainly, We shall test you with something of unrighteous fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, Transgression – breaking social laws, crossing limits etc.).15 set by God And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allah's The Quran describes several acts as evildoing; polythe- 16 ism, unbelief, hypocrisy, and arrogance are the greatest Obedience). ones. The actions that result in disobedience to God, Verily, We sent against them a violent storm of cruelty, hatred, injustice, selfishness, greed, violence stones (which destroyed them all), except the fami- 17 and disharmony in the society are evil acts6. Evil is a ly of Lout (Prophet Lot). satanic plan that he uses to encourage human beings to And when they were seized with a violent earth- do what Allah Almighty has forbidden. God declares quake, he (Moses) said: “O my Lord, if it had been Satan an open enemy of human-beings7 and Prophet Your Will, You could have destroyed them and me before; would You destroy us for the deeds of the Muhammad (SAW) mentioned Satan too close to hold a foolish ones among us? It is only Your Trial by human-being that he said, “Satan runs in the body of 8 which You lead astray whom You will, and keep Adam's son (The Man) as his blood circulates in it” . It guided whom You will.18 means that Satan holds the power of the evil’ that hu- mans cannot overcome without seeking refuge from Islam considers Man weak and vulnerable against the God Almighty and following His commandments. The power of the evil that Satan holds and practices to ex- 45 Volume 3, Issue 2 Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization Fall 2013 ploit human weaknesses against God unless Man does them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will not recognize God, the most powerful and seek His fill Hell with you all.”26 19 protection and forgiveness. Man has divine know- Satan committed jealousy and arrogance. After being ledge of the good and evil, and a free will to choose disgraced and cursed, he showed his intention to use between the two paths.
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