Evidence That the Evil Eye Affects the Person Envied:

First: Evidence from the Quran

Allah Most High said regarding the Jews:

“When there came to them a Book from Allah confirming what they already possessed—although before this they used to seek victory over the disbelievers—then, when there came to them what they recognized, they disbelieved in it. May Allah’s curse be upon the disbelievers! How wretched is that for which they sold themselves: disbelieving in what Allah has revealed, resentful that Allah should send down His bounty upon whomever He wills of His servants. Thus, they incurred wrath upon wrath, and the disbelievers shall suffer a humiliating punishment.” Al-Baqara (89–90)

Allah Most High thus explained that envy and transgression drove the Jews to reject the message of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They believed that prophethood would arise among them and that they would fight alongside the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and thereby defeat the disbelievers. Yet when prophethood came just as they had recognized it, but was bestowed upon the Arabs, they envied them and refused to believe. The verse therefore establishes the reality of envy and demonstrates its evil consequences. Abū Ubayd al-Qāsim ibn Sallām said: “Baghyan means ‘out of envy’ in the dialect of Tamīm.” (1)

Al-Qurtubī said: “The words of Allah Most High, ‘baghyan,’ mean ‘out of envy,’ according to Qatāda and al-Suddī. It functions as an accusative of cause and is, strictly speaking, a verbal noun. Al-Asmaī said: ‘It is derived from their expression baghā al-jarh, meaning that the wound became infected.’ It is also said that its root meaning is seeking, and for this reason a prostitute is called baghiyy. The clause ‘that Allah should send down’ occupies the accusative position, meaning ‘because He sends down’—that is, because Allah sent down bounty upon His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Ibn Kathīr, Abū Amr, Yaqūb, and Ibn Muhaysin read it in the ungeminated form, an yunzila. They similarly read every other such occurrence in the Quran, except wa mā nunazziluhu (‘and We do not send it down’) in al-Hijr, and alā an yunazzila āyatan (‘that He should send down a sign’) in al-Anām.” End quote. (2)