Is there a special supplication that definitely turns back the evil eye?

In the answer of one question submitted in March 3, 2010 the Sheikh mentioned a dua read by Abdullah as Saji when Abdullah's Camel became sick due to evil eye of a person. I want to know the Arabic version of the dua and its source. The question was: Does evil-eye kill a person? What kind of precautions can be taken against evil-eye? What are the reasons of evil-eye? Is it permissible to wear an evil-eye bead? The question was submitted in March 3, 2010.

Dear Brother / Sister,

First of all, let us state that this incident is not found in the books of hadith; rather, it is a supplication mentioned within a spiritual anecdote in works describing the lives of great Sufi figures. That is:

Is there a special supplication that definitely turns back the evil eye?

There is no established supplication that is definitively and guaranteed to “certainly turn back the evil eye.” Because Allah is the One who creates the evil eye, and Allah is also the One who grants healing. Supplication is only a means. Moreover, not every supplication is accepted immediately or in the same way.

We make supplication, but the One who grants healing and protection is Allah alone.

As for the incident mentioned in the question:

Yes, there is a narration in this sense. However, as far as we can see, this report belongs to a pious ascetic named Abū ʿAbdullāh al-Nabājī, whose supplications were considered accepted. (See: al-Dhahabī, Aʿlām, 9/586)

The supplication and story reportedly recited to heal his camel after it was struck by the evil eye is a spiritual healing prayer often transmitted for protection against the evil eye. This supplication was recited with the intention of seeking refuge in Allah and turning back the evil eye.

Its Arabic text, transliteration, and meaning are as follows:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ حَبْسِ الْحَابِسِ، وَحَجَرٍ يَابِسٍ، وَشِهَابٍ قَابِسٍ، مِنْ عَيْنِ الْعَائِنِ تَنْقَلِبُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى أَحَبِّ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنْقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ

“Bismillāhi aʿūdhu billāhi min ḥabsi’l-ḥābis, wa ḥajarin yābis, wa shihābin qābis, min ʿayni’l-ʿāʾini tanqalibu ʿalayhi wa ʿalā aḥabbi’n-nāsi ilayh. Thumma irjiʿi’l-baṣara karratayn yankalib ilayka’l-baṣaru khāsiʾan wa huwa ḥasīr.”

“In the name of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah from the confinement of the confiner, from dry stone, and from a burning spark. May the evil eye of the one who casts it return against himself and against the person most beloved to him. Then turn your sight back twice again, and the sight will return to you humbled, exhausted, and worn out.”

The narration mentioned in historical and Sufi works is as follows:

Abū ʿAbdullāh al-Nabājī was a man whose supplications were accepted; he possessed extraordinary states and karāmāt (miracles granted to saints).

One day, during a journey—either for pilgrimage or battle—he was riding a camel. In the caravan was a man whose evil eye affected and harmed almost everything he looked at. The camel of Abū ʿAbdullāh was extremely strong and valuable.

People said to him: “Protect your camel from this man who gives the evil eye.”

Abū ʿAbdullāh replied: “He can do no harm to my camel.”

This statement was conveyed to the man with the evil eye. He waited for a moment when Abū ʿAbdullāh was absent. When he found the opportunity, he cast his gaze upon the camel. Immediately, the camel began trembling, fell to the ground, and started writhing.

They came to Abū ʿAbdullāh and said: “The man with the evil eye looked at your camel, and now it is in the condition you see.”

Thereupon he said: “Take me to that man.”

So they brought him to the man with the evil eye. Abū ʿAbdullāh stood before him and said:

“In the name of Allah! With the confinement of the confiner, the dry stone, and the burning flame, I return the gaze of the one who casts the evil eye back upon himself and upon the one he loves most. May its harm strike his own body and affect his wealth.”

Then he recited the following verse:

“Then look again: Canst thou see any flaw? Again turn thy vision a second time: thy vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out.” (Yusuf Ali, al-Mulk 67:3–4)

Thereupon, the eyes of the man with the evil eye protruded from their sockets, while the camel stood up as though nothing had happened. (Ibn ʿAsākir, Tārīkh, 21/21; Abū Nuʿaym, Ḥilyah, 9/316–317)

Measures against the evil eye

For protection against the evil eye, the sūrahs al-Falaq and al-Nās should especially be recited.

Āyat al-Kursī is recommended before sleeping.

Verses 51–52 of Sūrah al-Qalam are known as verses related to the evil eye.

The supplication of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

“Aʿūdhu bi kalimātillāhi’t-tāmmati min kulli shayṭānin wa hāmmatin wa min kulli ʿaynin lāmmah.”

“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, harmful thing, and every evil eye.”

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