Nazar Bad Ki Dua: Evil Eye in Islam, Protection Duas, and What to Avoid

Quick answer: The best-known nazar bad ki dua is “A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah”, which the Prophet ﷺ used to recite to protect Hasan and Husayn. When you see something you admire, say “Ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah” and “Allahumma barik alayh”. The evil eye is real in Islam, but protection comes from remembering Allah, not from charms.

Is the Evil Eye Real in Islam?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The evil eye is real” (Bukhari and Muslim). In Sahih Muslim he also said that if anything could overtake the decree of Allah, it would be the evil eye. In Arabic it is called al-‘ayn. It happens when someone looks at a person or thing with admiration or envy and does not say a blessing, and by Allah’s permission harm follows.

It is part of the unseen, and like everything else it only happens by Allah’s will. If you want the wider background on unseen creation, read our post on jinn in Islam.

Nazar Bad Ki Dua: The Main Protection Dua

Transliteration: A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah.

Meaning: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, from every harmful creature, and from every evil eye.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to seek protection for Hasan and Husayn with these words, saying that Ibrahim used the same words for Ismail and Ishaq. It is in Sahih al-Bukhari.

What to Say When You See Something You Like

Transliteration: Ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah.

Meaning: What Allah wills happens, and there is no power except with Allah. This is taken from Quran 18:39, where it is the advice of a believer to a man who admired his own garden.

Transliteration: Allahumma barik ‘alayh.

Meaning: O Allah, bless him (or it). In a report in Ahmad and Ibn Majah, the Prophet ﷺ corrected a companion who had praised another man’s body without asking for Allah’s blessing, saying he should have asked for barakah. Make this the habit when you admire a child, a house or a car, so the praise does not turn into harm.

Surahs and Verses for Protection

• Surah Al-Fatiha, which the companions used as ruqyah.
• Ayat-ul-Kursi in the morning, evening and before sleep.
• Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, three times each in the morning and evening. At-Tirmidhi reports that after Al-Falaq and An-Nas were revealed, the Prophet ﷺ took to them and left other formulas.
• The last two ayat of Surah Baqarah at night.

For a longer list, see our collection of hifazat ki dua.

If You Think Someone Has Given You the Evil Eye

1. Recite the protection duas and the surahs above over yourself.
2. Ask for ruqyah using Quran and the authentic duas, from a trusted person who follows the Sunnah.
3. Seek medical help for any physical symptoms. Do not assume every illness or setback is the evil eye.
4. Know that a narration in Sahih Muslim describes washing taken from the person who caused the harm, when the cause is known and he is asked to do so. This is a specific practice, not an everyday remedy, so ask a scholar before attempting it.
5. Turn back to Allah, as taught in tawakkul.

What Islam Does Not Teach About the Evil Eye

In many homes, people hang a blue eye bead, a black thread, a lemon and chili or a “nazar battu” on a baby or a shop. None of these comes from the Quran or the Sunnah. A narration in Ahmad warns about hanging amulets and charms, and scholars say that relying on them takes trust away from Allah. Replace them with the duas above, which actually come from the Prophet ﷺ. Also avoid making accusations. Not every misfortune is someone’s eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is nazar bad ki dua in English?

It is the dua for protection from the evil eye, “A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammatin wa min kulli ‘aynin lammah”.

Is the evil eye real in Islam?

Yes, it is confirmed in Bukhari and Muslim.

How do I protect my child from nazar?

Recite the dua of Hasan and Husayn over them in the morning and evening, say “Ma sha Allah” when people praise them, and keep up Ayat-ul-Kursi and the three Quls.

Is it wrong to praise someone’s child?

No. Just add “Ma sha Allah” and “Allahumma barik” with the praise.

Is hanging a nazar battu allowed?

It is not from the Sunnah, and scholars warn against amulets. Use the authentic duas instead.

Conclusion

The Sunnah answer to the evil eye is simple: say Ma sha Allah when you admire something, recite the protection duas each morning and evening, and leave the rest to Allah. Teach the dua of Hasan and Husayn to your children.

Related reading: Hifazat ki dua, Ayat-ul-Kursi, Tawakkul, How to make dua. You can also browse upcoming Islamic gatherings near you.