The Reality of the Evil Eye and its Rulings According to Imam Al-Shawkani: An a Comparative Study

Abstract

This research, entitled (The Reality of the Evil Eye and its Rulings According to Imam Al-Shawkani – An Objective Study), aims to introduce Imam Al-Shawkani, clarify the meaning of the evil eye and its synonyms, highlight the sayings of Islamic scholars, either affirmers or deniers related to the reality of the evil eye as well as the position of Imam Al-Shawkani on such a matter. The research also aims at clarifying the rulings related to the evil eye that Imam Al-Shawkani has talked about in his works. The research has been concluded with several findings, the most important of which are: - Imam Al-Shawkani supports the truth of the evil eye, and he has strongly rejected the statements of the deniers, invalidating their arguments using the sayings of the scholars from the forerunners. By this, Al-Shawkani's position in this matter comes in agreement with the doctrine of the masses of scholars. - Al-Shawkani's also sees that the evil-eying person is obliged to do Ghusl (washing of the hands) or Ablution if the evil-eyed person asks him/her to do so for getting rid of the evil eye, in accordance with the apparent provisions. Shawkani has also agreed with Malikis and Hanbalis on the issue of sentencing the evil-eying person to death if s/he killed, by his/her own evil eye, a person; that Shawkani has mentioned this capital punishment with controls which have never been mentioned by those who preceded him. For him, the eye-harming person has to be imprisoned once s/he has been recognized by the others, and that imprisonment is seen as a disciplinary measure and out of interest. - The research has been also concluded with some suggestions and recommendations, mentioned in the conclusion.