My wife and I have bad dreams even though we perform ablution before going to bed and we read the bedtime Athkaar (mentionings of Allaah). We have performed Ghusl (ritual bathing) with the water of Sidr (lote-tree leaves) over which Quranic verses were recited, and a trustworthy Shaykh recited Ruqyah over us with verses from the Quran and supplications from the Sunnah and then told us that envy is the reason for our suffering. What should we do?

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 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

We supplicate to Allaah The Almighty to grant you and your family well-being and protection from every evil. We advise you to seek the help of Allaah and to truly rely upon him. He is the best Guardian and the Most Merciful. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

We draw your attention to some instructions given by scholars to ward off the evil eye, magic and possession by Jinn:

Firstly, beware of indulging in obsessive doubts and illusions, for they are symptoms of serious diseases of the heart, such as instability of Tawheed (monotheism), weakness in reliance upon Allaah and a deficiency in having beneficial knowledge. Ibn Al-Qayyim mentioned that a bewitched person has a role in making a magic spell have effect, because he preoccupies himself with doubts, and therefore his heart clings strongly to them, which raises unfounded illusions in his mind.

Secondly, use Ta‘awwuthaat (prophetic supplications that focus on seeking refuge with Allaah) and Sharee‘ah-approved Ruqyah (Quranic treatment). Ibn Al-Qayyim mentioned that Ta‘awwuthaat and Ruqyah include frequent recitation of Chapter Al-Falaq, Chapter An-Naas, Chapter Al-Faatihah and the verse of Al-Kursi (the chair). The prophetic Ta‘awwuthaat include: “A‘oothu bikalimaat illaahi at-taammaat min sharri ma khalaq (I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allaah from the evil of what He created.)” [Muslim] and: “A‘oothu bikalimaat illaahi at-taammah min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah (I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allaah from every devil, poisonous pest and the evil eye).” [Al-Bukhari] Anyone who has tried these supplications and Ta‘awwuthaat knows the extent of their benefit and the dire need for them. However, a person should note that these Ta‘awwuthaat and Ruqyah are a weapon whose effect depends on the person using them. Therefore, a person must have a conscious heart and must sincerely turn to Allaah The Almighty while saying these supplications.

Thirdly, treat magic spells and the effect of the evil eye, and know the signs of affliction with the evil eye and magic.

Fourthly, beware of falling into the trap of soothsayers and diviners who  devour the wealth of people unjustly. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, warned us that anyone who goes to a soothsayer or a diviner and believes his words disbelieves in what was revealed to Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. [Ahmad]

Fifthly, be firm in adhering to the religion of Allaah openly and inwardly. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, pointed out that anyone who observes the orders of Allaah and avoids His prohibitions, Allaah The Almighty guards him from the evils of this worldly life and the adversities of the Hereafter. [At-Tirmithi]. Ibn Al-Qayyim stated that most of the cases where Jinn dominate humans are due to the humans’ aversion to religion and their corrupt hearts. He also quoted predecessors who stated that if a person’s heart adheres to remembering Allaah, he overcomes the devil if the latter approaches him, until it becomes as if it is he who is the one who controls his devil. A believer can also conquer the devil with the power of his faith. It is narrated in a Hadeeth that the believer weakens his devil and makes him lose weight, just like a man weakens his camel and makes it lose weight from excessive loading and riding. [Ahmad]

Allaah Knows best.