A Detailed Examination of the 51st and 52nd Verses of Surah Al-Qalam Known as Verses About the Evil Eye
The 51st and 52nd verses of Surah Al-Qalam are known in the Islamic world as “verses about the evil eye.” These verses address the negative effects on those who listen to the Quran and the looks filled with hatred. The verse states:
Verses 51-52 of Surah Al-Qalam
وَاِنْ يَكَادُ الَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِاَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ اِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُونٌۢ
وَمَا هُوَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَم۪ينَ
And if those who disbelieve had almost made you slip with their eyes when they heard the remembrance, and they say, “Indeed, he is a madman.”
And it is not but a reminder for the worlds.
They who disbelieve would almost throw you to and fro with their eyes when they hear the remembrance, and they say, “Indeed, he is an insane person.” (Surah Al-Qalam, 51)
But it is not but a reminder for all the worlds. (Surah Al-Qalam, 52)
Interpretation of Verses 51-52 of Surah Al-Qalam
- Those disbelievers would look at you as if they were trying to harm you with their eyes when they hear the Quran, and say, “Indeed, he is a madman.” This reflects their envy and hatred.
- However, the Quran is a reminder for all the worlds; it is intended to guide people to the right path. (Surah Al-Qalam, 51-52)
In hadiths narrated from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the looks of the disbelievers listening to the Quran are likened to effective jinn, which expresses their negative feelings such as hatred, envy and resentment towards Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Instead of being amazed by the literary beauty of the Quran, they tried to criticize it, and when they could not find faults in terms of language and content, they began to spread propaganda that Prophet Muhammad’s words were unreliable (mad). However, Allah Almighty has neutralized this negative propaganda by explaining the superior qualities of the Quran.
The envy and animosity that the disbelievers felt towards Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) caused them to look at him as if they were trying to kill him with their eyes is depicted in verse 51. While it is thought that this verse relates to the evil eye, this is not based on definitive information. Scholars such as Ibn Kuteybah have stated that the verse does not mention the disbelievers casting an evil eye on the Messenger of Allah, but rather expresses their looks filled with hatred and animosity.