First of all, it is to be stated that the effect of an evil eye is a fact. This is supported by many proofs from revealed texts and reasoning. Imam al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The effect of an evil eye is a fact.”
However, the evil eye can never harm unless Allah wills so. Hence, it shouldn’t be a cause of fear or terror to anyone, for supreme power and might are for Almighty Allah alone and He is the Only One we should fear. It is in Him that we should seek protection against Satan and the evil eye. Both al-Bukhari and Muslim reported in their authentic collections that `Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to tell me to recite ruqyah for protection against the evil eye.
Elaborating on the Islamic way of reciting Ruqya, we’d like to furnish you with what Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, stated in this regard: “It was narrated that `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was ill, he would recite al-Mu`awidhatayn (surahs of Al-Falaq and An-Nas) over himself and spit dryly. When his pain grew intense, I recited over him and wiped him with his own hand, seeking its blessing” (Al-Bukhari).
Ruqyah is one of the greatest remedies that the believer should use regularly. With regard to the du`aa’ that is prescribed for the Muslim to say if he wants to recite ruqyah for himself or for someone else, there are many such du`aa’s, the greatest of which are Al-Fatihah and Al-Mu`awidhatayn.
A group of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set out on a journey and traveled until they came near one of the Arab tribes. They asked them for hospitality but they were refused. Then the leader of that tribe was stung, and his people tried everything to cure him but nothing helped. Then some of them said, “Why don’t you go to those people who are staying (nearby)? Maybe one of them has something.” So they went to them and said, “O people, our leader has been stung and we have tried everything and nothing helped him. Do you have anything?” One of them said, “Yes, by Allah. I will perform ruqyah for him, but by Allah we asked you for hospitality and you did not give us anything, so we will not perform ruqyah for you unless you give us something in return.” So they agreed on a flock of sheep, then he started to blow on him and recite Al-hamdu Lillahi Rabb il- `Alameen. Then he recovered quickly from his complaint and started walking, and he was completely cured. After that they took the flock of sheep, and some of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Let us share it out.” The one who had performed ruqyah said, “Do not do anything until we come to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and tell him what happened, and we will wait and see what he tells us to do.” So they came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him what had happened. He said, “How did you know that it is a ruqyah?” Then he said, “You did the right thing. Share them out, and give me a share.” And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) smiled (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The du`aa’s that have been narrated in the Sunnah include the following:
Muslim narrated from `Uthman ibn Abil-`As that he complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about pain that he had felt in his body from the time he had become Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, “Put your hand on the part of your body where you feel pain and say ‘Bismillah (in the name of allah) three times, then say seven times, A`udhu bi `izzat-illah wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajid wa uhadhir (I seek refuge in the glory and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and worry about).”
At-Tirmidhi added: He said, “I did that, and Allah removed what I had been suffering, and I continued to enjoin my family and others to do that.”
It was narrated that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek refuge for al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and he would say, ‘Your father [ meaning Ibrahim peace be upon him] used to seek refuge with Allah for Isma`il and Ishaq with these words: A`udhu bi kalimat Allah al-tammah min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli `aynin lammah (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye)’” (Al-Bukhari).”
Having stated the above, parents can recite the above mentioned du`aas and ruqya on that baby while putting your full trust in Allah and asking Him protect your family against all evils. May Allah bless you and your family and grant you happiness in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, amen!