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In a world where the Evil Eye is often dismissed as mere superstition, young, university-educated Jordanian Muslim women reveal a different story: “The Evil Eye is real, and we were raised with it.” Fear of the Evil Eye: A Missional Approach Toward the Envious Gaze Among Young Jordanian Muslim Women explores the deep roots of folk Islam in Jordan, with implications stretching across the Middle East and beyond.

These young Muslim women affirm that the most dangerous Evil Eye comes not from strangers, but from family and friends, those closest to them. While anyone can cast the Evil Eye, the greatest harm arises within intimate circles where envy eats away at the soul. It springs from a sense of deficit and worldview of limited good, which fosters competition. The notion of limited good and concern for honor and shame produces a preoccupation with envy. Such thinking is rooted in ancient thought, where all things in life, including friends, love, and honor, were limited, and any good fortune was viewed as a threat to one’s rival groups. The Evil Eye is so deeply embedded in the culture that the word for “eye” (ayn) and the word for “envy” (hasad) are used interchangeably. Among friends and family, this envy is not just an emotion; it is a force believed to cause actual harm, leading to deep-seated fear, suspicion, and broken relationships.��

The Evil Eye and Young Women

What makes this study unique is its focus on young, highly educated Jordanian women — a group rarely included in research on the Evil Eye. Some may assume that only the older generation clings to such beliefs, but the women interviewed (average age 25) reveal otherwise. They, too, navigate the tension between tradition and modernity, between fear and faith.

Unlike their mothers, who relied on amulets for protection, these women turn to the sacred texts of the Qur’an and Hadith as a remedy. By doing so, they can claim orthodoxy in a conservative society like Jordan. Yet, in practice, the Qur’an is often used as a powerful tool of incantation, blended with folk practices to ward off harm and cure wrongs.��

Through captivating narratives and original field research, this book delves into the intricate dynamics of envy and the pervasive belief in the Evil Eye. It offers a profound exploration of how these young Muslim women confront their fears and challenges; it invites readers into a conversation about divine generosity and protection.

Equipping Cross-Cultural Workers

When I moved to Jordan, I quickly recognized the prevalence of envy and the Evil Eye among women. This realization led me to deeper research, not just to understand, but to equip other cross-cultural workers who are unfamiliar with folk beliefs and practices of Muslims. I sensed the danger of dismissing these fears as mere superstition.

If Christian workers overlook the Evil Eye reality, they will miss an opportunity to bring the freedom of Christ to those bound by fear of the Evil Eye. To minister effectively, we must understand the depth of the problem, and how beliefs shape lives and relationships. As long as Western cross-cultural workers regard the Evil Eye as an old superstition among ignorant or backward Muslims, these educated young Muslim women will have little chance of hearing the freedom that Christ alone can bring. Being equipped with a deeper understanding of this folk belief among Muslim women, cross-cultural workers can lead these women into a journey of discovering the truth of who God is, and the peace that only Christ can provide. ��

The Urgency��

One half of the women interviewed said they experienced harm from a relative or a friend. The need for truth and light in this spiritual struggle is urgent. The young women admit that the Evil Eye springs from an unclean heart, so this is a good place to start in Christian witness. Ministry is not just engaging Islam but about meeting Muslims where they are. Cross-cultural workers must bring Jesus into every setting and boldly pray in His powerful name. They must also proclaim the true nature of God: He is a generous and gracious giver who blesses without limitation. While Muslims often say Allah Kareem (God is generous), few grasp its depth of meaning. Christian workers must demonstrate God’s kindness and abundance; they must model a life free from the fear of envy.��

I am deeply grateful for the mentorship of ��ο��Ƶ Adjunct Professor Dr. Warren Larson and his profound knowledge of folk Islam, which encouraged me to conduct this research. I hope the study will equip others to understand, engage, and respond to the spiritual realities that shape the lives of these young Muslim women.

The way out of fear comes through biblical truth that offers freedom. It is about a God who blesses abundantly and shields against the harm of envy. Let us embrace this truth and, through generosity and prayer, light the way for Muslim women to find freedom in Christ’s name.

Safia J. Yun earned a Ph.D. from the Columbia International University College of Intercultural Studies in 2023. She is a passionate cross-cultural worker with over 16 years of experience serving the unreached in South Asia. For the past seven years, she has focused her efforts in the Middle East, equipping cross-cultural workers with the essential tools and insights to effectively connect with underserved communities and share the message of Christ. Her book��“Fear of the Evil Eye: A Missional Approach Toward the Envious Gaze Among Young Jordanian Muslim Women” is published by Wipf & Stock.����