Sudden weakness, sharp mood swings and unexplained anxiety may be linked to the evil eye, but none of these symptoms is definitive proof of it, Kazakhstan's Spiritual Administration of Muslims (DUMK) has said, according to infohub.kz.
The administration said the evil eye is regarded as a real phenomenon in Islam. By religious tradition, it can affect not only people but also animals, plants and various objects.
"The evil eye can affect not only people but also animals, crops and any other living or inanimate objects. In some cases a person can even 'cast the evil eye' on himself. This usually happens when someone feels strong admiration, deep affection or envy toward something. So it cannot be said that the evil eye is always the result of a deliberate wish for harm; it can occur even when a person looks at something with admiration without any ill intent. Therefore, when a person sees something that evokes admiration — whether himself, his child or his property — he should invoke a blessing upon it," the statement said.
DUMK also stressed that neither the Quran nor reliable hadiths contain a complete list of signs by which the evil eye can be identified with certainty.
"Neither the Quran nor reliable hadiths contain an exhaustive list of signs that would allow one to state unequivocally that a person has fallen victim to the evil eye. Nevertheless, a number of symptoms are identified that may be associated with it, in particular: sudden weakness or lethargy; sharp mood swings; unexplained anxiety or depression; headaches; loss of appetite; sleep disturbances; a feeling of heaviness or physical frailty; loss of interest in things that once brought joy; unexplained tears or irritability; cold in the extremities; a feeling of heaviness in the shoulders; frequent sighing; forgetfulness; tightness in the chest and, in some cases, physical discomfort such as nausea," the administration added.
At the same time, DUMK said none of the listed signs can be considered definitive proof of the evil eye. Similar conditions can arise from stress, lack of sleep, infections, fluctuations in blood pressure, vitamin deficiencies and other medical or psychological causes.
The administration therefore urged people not to attribute a deterioration in their well-being solely to the evil eye. If their health is a cause for concern, they should consult a doctor.
"To protect against the evil eye, Muslims are advised to turn to Allah and to read surahs," DUMK concluded.