The Concept of the ‘Evil’ and the ‘Evil Eye’ in Islam and Islamic Faith-Healing Traditions
Abstract
Abstract Views: 326Evil 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 traditions, 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 survival, 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.
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