4وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفّاثاتِ فِي العُقَدِAli Unal“And from the evil of the witches who blow on knots (to cast a spell);1Particularly since ancient times, it has generally been women who were occupied with casting spells or sorcery; that is why this verse focuses on such women. Just as God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, declared that the evil eye is an undeniable fact, so, too, is sorcery an undeniable reality. Those who deny that there are such things as spells and sorcery do so either because they do not believe in anything metaphysical or what they suppose to be connected with religion, or because they are unaware of any realities beyond the physical realm. The Qur’ān speaks about (and severely condemns) the sorcery that is practiced to cause a rift between spouses (2: 102). According to Islam, sorcery and casting spells are as sinful as unbelief. And while breaking a spell is a good, meritorious deed, it must not be adopted or practiced as a profession. Although our Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, met with the jinn, preached Islam to them, and took their allegiance, he never explained how they were to be contacted or how to cast or break a spell. However, he taught us about how the jinn approach us and seek to control us; how to protect ourselves against their evil; and how to protect ourselves against the evil eye. The safest way to protect ourselves against evil spirits or things like sorcery is to sustain a strong loyalty to God and His Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings. This requires following the principles of Islam strictly. In addition, we should never give up praying, for prayer serves as a weapon against hostility, protects us from harm, and helps us to attain our ls. The Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, advises us to recite this and the following sūrah in order to be protected against such evils and to be saved from them. (For a detailed explanation for the matter, see The Essentials of the Islamic Faith, 69–87) This verse also implies seeking refuge with God from the evils planned and practiced secretly and by secret enemies, such as foreign agents or intelligence services.