I bought a car but all of a sudden it started malfunctioning. I feel that this is could be the effect of an evil eye. Is this possible? Some people advised me to offer a sheep as a sacrifice and distribute it among the poor or give the money in charity to drive away the effect of this evil eye. Is this a solution? How can we protect ourselves from envy?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, informed us that the evil eye is a reality; however, the Muslim must be confident that nothing can harm him except with the Will of Allaah The Almighty. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that if anything were to advance in front of Fate, it would have been the evil eye. However, nothing precedes Fate. [Muslim]

Moreover, the Muslim must rid his mind of delusions because many people may falsely believe that if an affliction befalls them, it is the effect of an evil eye. This does not mean that we are denying the existence of the evil eye; it is only an attempt to make people see things as they really are.

In fact, the effect of the evil eye can be driven away by reciting the Sharee‘ah-approved supplications that were narrated from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It was narrated that Jibreel (Gabriel) once came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, when he was sick and recited Ruqyah over him, saying: “Bismillaahi arqeek min kulli shay’in yu’theek, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘ayn Haasidin, Allaahu yashfeek, bismillaahi arqeek. (In the Name of Allaah I make Ruqyah for you from whatever harms you, from the evil of every person or eye. May Allaah grant you recovery. I make Ruqyah for you in the Name of Allaah) [Muslim] Also, the effect of the evil eye can be cured by reciting Al-Mu‘awwithataan, and by pouring water over the affected person. This water is that which is left after the envier has performed Ghusl (ritual bath).

However, slaughtering sheep is not a Sharee‘ah-approved treatment for the evil eye. Nevertheless, if one intends to give  this offering in charity so that Allaah The Almighty may relieve him from his affliction, it will be permissible because charity is one of the reasons for recovery. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, advised us to treat our patients by giving in charity. [Al-Albaani: Hasan]

At the same time, charity must not be restricted to sacrificial offerings, meaning, it can be this or any other form of charity.

Allaah Knows best.