The Evil eye from the perspective of Islamic philosophy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Transcendent Theosophy, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theosophy, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theosophy, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran .

3 Master's student in Islamic philosophy and wisdom, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theosophy, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

“The Evil eye” as an ancient and universal belief has long been present in the beliefs of a wide range of religions and cultures. Investigating this phenomenon with a rational approach is an area that has received little attention. The present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and a philosophical approach, seeks to move beyond a superficial view of the Evil eye phenomenon and provide a rational reading of this phenomenon in light of the foundations of Islamic philosophy. The findings of the study indicate that, according to the consensus of Muslim philosophers, the Evil eye has a metaphysical mechanism and arises from the effect of the human soul in a state of intense admiration or jealousy. This rational explanation makes it clear that the Evil eye phenomenon is not a mythical or superstitious belief, but a metaphysical reality that originates from the human soul and its power of influence on matter. This philosophical reading, in addition to being compatible with the teachings of revelation, and all-round superiority over material explanations, also leads to the need to control emotional states and correct vices in order to block the impact of eye injury in social interactions and human relations. Finally, the present article emphasizes more than ever the rich capacities of Islamic philosophy in the systematic and rational explanation of public beliefs, and provides valuable theoretical foundations for future research and intercultural dialogues and interdisciplinary research.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

The Holy Quran.
Dehkhoda, A. A. (1998). Dictionary of Dehkhoda. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. [In Persian]
Dundes, A. (1981). The Evil eye: a folklore casebook. New York: Garland Pub.
Feiz Kashani, F. M. M. (1996). Usul al-Ma’arif. (Correct: S. J. D. Ashtiyani). Qom: Howzeh Elmieh. [In Persian]
Hassanzadeh Amoli, H. (1987). Ittihad Aqil bi Ma'qul. Tehran: Hekmat. [In Persian]
Hassanzadeh Amoli, H. (1996). Nusus al-Hikam bar Fusus al-Hikam. Tehran: Raja. [In Persian]
Hassanzadeh Amoli, H. (2002). A Thousand and One Words. Qom: Bustan Kitab. [In Persian]
Ibn Manzur, J. D. M. (1993). Lisan al-Arab. Beirut: Dar Sadir. [In Arabic]
Ibn Sina, H. A. (Avicenna) (1996). Al-Nafs al-Shifa. Qom: Maktab al-A'lam al-Islami. [In Persian]
Ibn Sina, H. A. (Avicenna) (2002). Al-Isharat al-Tanbihat. Qom: Bustan Kitab. [In Persian]
Kaf'ami, I. A. A. (1985). Al-Misbah. Qom: Dar al-Radi. [In Arabic]
Majlisi, M. B. (1983). Bihar al-Anwar. Beirut: al-Wafa. [In Arabic]
Payandeh, A. (2003). Nahj al-Fasahah. Tehran: Donyaye Danesh. [In Persian]
Razi, F. D. M. (1990). Al-Mabahith al-Mashriqiyyah fi Ilm al-Ilahiyyat wa al-Tabi'iyyat. Qom: Bidar. [In Arabic]
Razi, F. D. M. (1999). Al-Tafsir al-Kabir (Mafatih al-Ghayb). Beirut: Dar ehya al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Rumi, J. D. M. (2011). Masnavi Ma'navi. Tehran: Hermes. [In Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (Mulla Ṣadra) (1981). Al-Shawahid al-Rububiyyah. Tehran: Nashr Daneshgahi. [In Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (Mulla Ṣadra) (1987). Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim. Qom: Bidar. [In Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (Mulla Ṣadra) (1988). Al-Hikmah al-Muta'aliyah fi al-Asfar al-'Aqliyyah al-Arba'ah. Qom: Mustafavi. [In Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (Mulla Sadra) (2004). Sharh Usul al-Kafi. Qom: Bidar. [In Persian]
Sadr al-Din Shirazi, M. I. (Mulla Ṣadra) (2013). Ta'liqah bar Hikmat al-Ishraq. Tehran: Sadra Islamic Wisdom Foundation. [In Persian]
Sha'arani, A. H. (1993). Translation of Tajrid al-I'tiqad. Tehran: Eslamiyeh. [In Persian]
Tabatabai, S. M. H. (1973). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Qom: Ismailiyan. [In Persian]
Tabatabai, S. M. H. (1995). Nihayat al-Hikmah. Qom: al-Nashr al-Islami. [In Arabic]
 

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics