Another person’s success, abundant wealth, striking beauty or any exceptional blessing can sometimes cause a kind of unease in the mind. It is a subtle weakness of the human heart. But when the feeling grows into a wish that the other person’s blessing be spoiled or destroyed, it becomes envy, hasad. Islam strictly commands that one keep free of this deadly disease of the heart, because envy alone can reduce the good deeds of a lifetime to ashes in a moment.
Enmity or envy in the heart behind a smiling face cannot be the mark of a believer. Just as we take great pains to keep the body free of disease, it is essential to keep the soul clean of this poison. Islam has not only warned against it; it has also shown a humane way to put out the fire of envy within.
1. A clear command to live free of envy
To be unable to bear another’s good and to wish him harm in one’s heart is a grave disease. Envy sets people apart, brother from brother. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) warned: “Do not hate one another, do not envy one another and do not turn your backs on one another. Be servants of God, as brothers.” (Bukhari 6065)
2. Look at your own blessings and give thanks
Discontent and envy are born when another’s gain is felt as one’s own loss. If you always look at the wealth of those above you, your own countless blessings will seem small. So look below. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: “Look at those who are below you and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to keep you from belittling God’s favour upon you.” (Muslim 2963)
3. Pray wholeheartedly for the one you envy
When envy rises in the heart at someone’s progress, do not wish him harm; pray for his good. In the Quran God teaches believers this supplication: “Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and put no rancour in our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord, You are Kind, Merciful.” (Surah al-Hashr, verse 10)
4. Want for your brother what you want for yourself
The chief remedy for envy is to wish others well. Ask yourself: can I want for my brother the success and happiness I want for myself? Describing the measure of a believer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Bukhari 13)
5. Envy is a fire that burns up good deeds
As fire turns dry wood to ash in an instant, envy destroys the hard-earned good deeds of a lifetime. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned: “Beware of envy, for envy consumes good deeds as fire consumes wood.” (Abu Dawud 4903)
6. Seeking God’s protection from the envious
Envy is so dangerous that God Himself tells us to seek refuge in Him from the envious eye and scheming of others. The Quran says: “And from the evil of an envier when he envies.” (Surah al-Falaq, verse 5)
What to do the moment envy stirs
Do not let the feeling settle. As soon as an envious thought comes, do not indulge it; repent and seek forgiveness in your heart: “Astaghfirullah” (I seek God’s forgiveness).
Be grateful to God. Without looking at others, say from the heart for whatever God has given you: “Alhamdulillah” (all praise is for God).
Pray for the person in private. Raise your hands to God for the blessing and good of the one you envy; the angels will make the same prayer for you. Use the supplication God Himself taught, from Surah al-Hashr, verse 10.
Taking away another’s light never lights one’s own house. To burn at the sight of another’s blessings is no act of the wise; it is to destroy one’s own soul little by little. When the fumes of envy gather in the mind they must be put out at once with repentance and prayer. Let us learn to rejoice in others’ achievements, be content with what we have, and try to come before our Lord with a clean heart free of envy. Amen.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report