How can a Muslim differentiate between calamities that are caused by envy and others that are unrelated to it? How can envy be treated without knowing who the envious person is?

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 is His slave and Messenger.

Knowledge of the symptoms of both envy and the evil eye would help to differentiate between the calamities that are caused by them and those that are not.

The symptoms of the evil eye are mostly in the form of organic diseases which do not respond to treatment, such as diseases of the joints, inactivity, insomnia, blisters and abscesses of the skin, repulsion toward family, home, society and studying, as well as some nervous and psychological disorders. Additionally, pallor of the face due to blockage of facial blood vessels, annoyance, groaning, sighing, forgetfulness, pains in the back of the head and shoulders, paresthesia (pricking sensation in hands and feet), fever and coldness of extremities are likely symptoms of the evil eye.

The symptoms of envy, according to ‘Abdul-Khaaliq Al-‘Attaar may be apparent in the property, body and offspring of the envied person. When envy afflicts the self, the envied person experiences some psychic disorders, such as losing the desire to go to college, school or work, having no desire to seek knowledge, study and understand, as well as a decrease in intelligence and capacity to memorize. Additionally, he may become withdrawn and introverted and may even feel that the closest and most beloved people to him no longer love him or are faithful and sincere to him.

In conclusion, both envy and the evil eye are two diseases that are known by their symptoms. Their treatment is done by the Sharee'ah-approved Ruqyah (Quranic treatment) , by reciting the following Chapters:

•        Al-Faatihah (chapter 1).

•        Al-Ikhlaas (chapter 112).

•        Al-Falaq(chapter 113). 

•        An-Naas (chapter 114).

 Additionally, one may recite the following verses:

•        [Quran 2: 255].

•        [Quran 2: 285-286].

•        [Quran 68:51].

Additionally, there are some Prophetic supplications that are related to seeking refuge in Allaah The Almighty and His protection such as the following:

•        "U‘eethuka bikalimaatillaah at-taammah min kuli  shaytaan wa haammah, wa min kuli ‘ayan laammah (I seek refuge for you with the perfect words of Allaah  from every devil,  every poisonous vermin, and every evil eye)"

•        "Bismillaah arqeek  min kuli  shay’in  u’theek, min shar kuli  nafsin wa ‘ayan haasid, Allaah yushfeek, bismillaah Urqeek (In the Name of Allaah I make Ruqyah for you from everything that may harm you, from envy and the evil eye. Allaah alone heals you; By the Name of Allaah I make Ruqyah for you.)”

These verses and supplications may be directly recited over the patient or they may be recited over water that is then used by the patient to perform Ghusl (ritual bathing) and drink. This is applicable when the envious person is unknown.

However, if he is known, he is commanded to perform Ghusl or ablution and the envied person should use the water to perform Ghusl. It was reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that the evil eye is a reality and that if anything were to precede fate, it would be the evil eye. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, added that when the envious person is asked to make Ghusl, he must comply. [Muslim]

Likewise, it was reported on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to order the envious person to perform ablution and then the envied one would use the water to perform Ghusl. [Abu Daawood]

Allaah Knows best.