Sihr Reality (Golden Words of Allah Ep 90)

The influence of the evil eye is real. If anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye. (Sahih Muslim)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

From the earliest revelations, Allah warned humanity of forces that can cause harm unseen: whispers of envy, ill intentions, and the manipulation of creation through magic (sihr). The Qur’an confirms the reality of such harms, while placing them firmly under His control: “And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But they do not teach anyone until they say, ‘We are a trial, so do not disbelieve.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:102)

Islam neither denies nor sensationalizes these phenomena. It acknowledges that the evil eye (al-‘ayn) and witchcraft exist, yet always situates them within the framework of divine decree. They can influence human life, but never independently of Allah’s will. The Qur’an and Sunnah teach believers both to recognize these dangers and to seek protection through His guidance, remembrance, and ethical conduct.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also confirmed the reality of harm from the evil eye: “The influence of the evil eye is real. If anything were to overtake the divine decree, it would be the evil eye.” (Sahih Muslim)

But this acknowledgment is not a license for fear, superstition, or accusation. Islam provides practical and spiritual guidance: protection comes through remembrance of Allah, prayer, and avoidance of sin that makes one vulnerable. The Prophet (pbuh) taught supplications (du‘as) specifically for protection, such as seeking refuge from the evil of envy and the harm of the unseen:

“I seek refuge for you in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Witchcraft (sihr) is condemned in Islam both morally and legally. It involves invoking forces other than Allah to cause harm, which is an act of disbelief when it relies on shirk, as stated in the Qur’an: “Indeed, those who practice magic and disbelieve will not succeed.” (Surah Taha 20:69)

At the same time, Islam recognizes the psychological and social dimensions of harm. Envy, jealousy, and ill-wishing, the roots of the evil eye are often internal human realities that can manifest externally. The Prophet (pbuh) emphasized that the best protection is awareness, gratitude, and trust in Allah’s decree.

And Allah knows best.

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