Question

Is this a Hadith?

“The evil-eye is true. It puts a camel in a cooking pot and a man in the grave.”

 

Answer

‘Allamah Sakhawi has referenced these words to Imam Abu Nu’aym in Hilyatul Awliya, recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu). ‘Allamah ‘Ajluni (rahimahullah) has also referenced this narration to Imam Abu Nu’aym and has stated that the first part of this narration (The evil eye is true) is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but this narration with the additional words is weak.

(Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 726, Kashful Khafa, vol. 2 pg. 89, Hadith: 1797)

 

I have come across the following words in Hilyatul Awliya (without the words ‘The evil eye is true’):

Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The evil eye can put a man into the grave [i.e. cause him to pass away] and put a camel into the pot [i.e. cause a camel to be slaughtered].”

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 7 pg. 90. Also see: Musnadush Shihab, vol. 2 pg. 140, Hadith: 1057-1059 and Al Mudawi, Hadith: 2362)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar