Thus, envy is distinct from the evil eye. The distinction that matters to us is that envy arises from a rancorous soul, whereas the evil eye may proceed from a righteous man. Casting the evil eye does not involve wishing that another person’s blessing be removed. Allah knows best.

You will find that when Allah Most High mentioned the envier in His Book, He associated him with evil, saying: “And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”

When the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—mentioned the evil eye, however, he described its effect and occurrence. He also drew attention to the heedlessness that may overtake the person casting it when he sees something that impresses him, and therefore instructed him to invoke Allah’s blessing, even though the evil eye entails harm.

In summary, the differences between the evil eye and envy are as follows:

• The category of the envier is broader than that of the person who casts the evil eye. The latter is a particular kind of envier—if the expression may be used. Thus, every envier casts the evil eye, but not everyone who casts the evil eye is an envier. This is why Sūrat al-Falaq instructs one to seek refuge from the envier: when a Muslim seeks refuge from the evil of an envier, this includes the person who casts the evil eye. This reflects the comprehensive scope, inimitability, and eloquence of the Noble Quran. (1)
• Envy arises from rancor, hatred, and the wish that a blessing be removed, whereas the evil eye is caused by admiration, amazement, and approval.
• Envy and the evil eye have the same effect, since both harm the person envied or afflicted by the evil eye, but they differ in their source. Envy originates in the heart’s burning resentment, in deeming the blessing bestowed upon the envied person excessive, and in wishing that it be removed from him. The evil eye, by contrast, originates in the sudden projection of the gaze. It may therefore afflict something the person does not envy—an inanimate object, an animal, crops, or wealth—and his eye may even afflict himself. When he looks at something with admiration and stares intently, while his soul takes on that particular state, this affects the object of the evil eye.
• An envier may envy something anticipated before it comes to pass, whereas one who casts the evil eye can affect only what already exists.