The expression “the inner part of his waist-wrapper” in the hadith has been considered problematic. Some said that it means the edge of the waist-wrapper, while others said that it means the genitals. Mālik ibn Anas—may Allah have mercy on him—said, “The inner part of the waist-wrapper is the portion of it that lies against the body.” Iyād said, “In this hadith, ‘the inner part of the waist-wrapper’ means its edge”—referring to the hadith concerning remembrance before sleep—“whereas in the hadith about the person afflicted by the evil eye, it means the part of the body adjacent to it.” It was also said to be a euphemism for the male organ, or for the hip. Some related that it should be understood literally and that the edge of his garment is to be washed. The first view is correct. Judge Ibn al-Arabī said, “The apparent and stronger interpretation—indeed, the truth—is that it means what lies against the body.” (1)

Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned the disagreement without resolving it. He—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “The person who cast the evil eye is instructed to wash the folds of his body, his extremities, and the inner part of his waist-wrapper. There are two views concerning the latter. The first is that it means his genitals. The second is that it means the inner edge of his waist-wrapper that lies against the right side of his body. The water is then poured suddenly over the head of the afflicted person from behind.” End quote. (2)

The more likely interpretation is that it means the edge of the waist-wrapper, because the apparent meaning of the texts indicates that the washing took place before a gathering, as shown by the detailed description of the washing and, indeed, confirmation that it was performed. One narration states: “A man then pours that water over him from behind, onto his head and back…” It is therefore unlikely that “the inner part of the waist-wrapper” means the part of the body adjacent to it or the genitals. This is further supported by the report narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim from Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—who said that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When one of you retires to bed, let him shake out his bed with the inner edge of his waist-wrapper…” (3)

One version of the hadith concerning the washing, transmitted through a chain that is good when corroborated, states: “He instructed Āmir, who washed his face in the water, the extremities of his hands, his knees, and the extremities of his feet. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then took the two side-sections of Āmir’s waist-wrapper and its inner fold and submerged them in the water. He then emptied the vessel over Sahl’s head and overturned it behind him. Sahl was thereby freed of his affliction, with no