Evil eye

Protective tools within Shia Islam are manifold, offering spiritual and empirical remedies alike. A paramount practice is the recitation of specific verses from the Qur’an, including Ayat al-Kursi (2:255), believed to provide divine protection against malevolent forces. Additionally, the practice of invoking the names of Allah through specific prayers and supplications is commonplace. Shia tradition emphasizes the importance of these invocations as acts of faith, purported to create an impenetrable barrier against the effects of the Evil Eye.

A point of divergence from other interpretations of this phenomenon arises in familial and community contexts. In Shia culture, there is a communal understanding that one’s achievements—be it material wealth or personal milestones—should be celebrated with caution. This correlates to the notion of “ghibah,” or backbiting, which can exacerbate feelings of envy. Hence, discussions around accomplishments are often enveloped in humility and gratitude, thereby diminishing the potential for envy to take root. Are these communal practices effective deterrents against the predicaments posed by the Evil Eye? This challenge prompts observers to reflect on the transparent manifestations of achievement in a digitally interconnected world.

The significance of rituals surrounding newborns and significant life events manifests as a crucial response to the belief in the Evil Eye within Shia communities. The act of “Aqiqa,” for instance, wherein a lamb is sacrificed, serves dual purposes: celebrating a new life while simultaneously invoking blessings and protection. Accompanying such events are customary practices, such as the adornment of infants with amulets or “tabarrukat,” which contain verses from the Qur’an or other sacred inscriptions believed to act as talismans against envy and malevolence.