What is the reality of the evil eye, and what is its Sunnah-prescribed cure and the method of protection against it?

1. The reality: The evil eye is real — "The evil eye is real" (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim); by a gaze of amazement or envy, harm can occur by Allah's command.

2. Protection: the morning and evening adhkar, Ayat al-Kursi, Surah al-Falaq, Surah an-Nas, Surah al-Ikhlas; for children, the Prophetic supplication: «أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ» (I seek protection for you both through the perfect words of Allah from every devil and every poisonous creature and from every harmful evil eye) (Sahih al-Bukhari).

3. The cure: have the one who cast the eye perform wudu and pour his water over the patient — the incident of Hazrat Sahl ibn Hunayf, may Allah be pleased with him (Sunan Abi Dawud).

4. If the one who cast it is not known: recite Surah al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi and the Mu'awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas) and blow over oneself.

5. Hanging amulets is not permissible: "Whoever hangs an amulet has committed shirk" (Musnad Ahmad) — ruqyah only with Qur'anic verses and the prescribed supplications.

6. Protection of children: the same Prophetic supplication morning and evening; blowing after Ayat al-Kursi and the Mu'awwidhatayn.

7. Can death occur from the evil eye? Yes: "The evil eye puts a man in the grave and puts a camel in the cooking pot" (Musnad Abu Ya'la).

8. Shariah ruqyah: the best cure for the evil eye; only words of clear meaning, free of shirk.

9. Black thread / black dot: not permissible — superstition and close to shirk; only the prescribed adhkar and supplications.

10. Misconceptions: the evil eye does not strike only from an envier — it can also strike from close relatives, friends, even from one's own children; on amazement, say at once "Ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah" (What Allah willed; there is no power except with Allah).

Summary: the Sunnah-prescribed method of protection and cure is the adhkar, the Mu'awwidhatayn, the wudu water of the one who cast the eye, and Shariah ruqyah; complete avoidance of amulets and the black thread.

Translated from the original Urdu fatwa.