Question: I know a person who is sick – not physically, rather emotionally. He says that he has been the victim of an evil eye (Nazr i Badd). What should he do to undo it ?
    Answer: It is a matter of common experience that passing a comment on someone psychologically affects him. Particularly if he is praised. Often such a person starts blushing. Sometimes, he even gets ill. At times, the response can be pretty severe as is as narrated in the following Hadith.

Abu Uthamah narrates: My father, Sahal Ibn Hanif, had a bath in Kharrar. He was wearing a gown. When he was taking it off, ‘Amir Ibn Rabi‘ah was looking at him. Sahal was a very fair and handsome person. ‘Amir remarked that I have not even seen the body of a virgin more beautiful than yours. At once, fever overcame Sahal and its severity increased. A person came to the Prophet and told him that Sahal has been infected with fever and he would not be able to go with him (ie. the Prophet). The Prophet came over and Sahal told him what had happened. At this, the Prophet said: Why do any of you kill your brother without any reason. To become ill because of a gaze is an established phenomenon. For this, do Wudu for him. ‘Amir did Wudu for Sahal and Sahal recovered from the illness and went along with the Prophet quite hale and hearty. (Mu’tta; Kitabu’l-Jami‘)

    As is suggested in the Hadith, if the person who has praised and caused this reaction is known, he can be asked to do Wudu for the sick person. And if the person if not known, then instead of getting superstitious about such things, the affected person should pray to the Almighty to grant him health. In this regard, reciting the last two Surahs of the Qur’an may prove useful. Saying the following prayer may also help: Audhu bi ‘izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajid (‘I seek refuge in the Power and Strength of the Almighty from the evil that has touched me.’)