Jealousy

[Beardo]

Jealousy/Envy (Hasad)
By eHafiz

Hasad (jealousy) is the desire for the elimination of another’s well being. The base of envy lies in pride (takabbur). One who is proud and arrogant will want to be viewed as the best of people, thus having ill feelings to those who are in a better condition than he. Allah’s Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallam) said that “Envy devours good deeds as fire devours wood.” (Abu Dawud) Envy affects all aspects of one life; his religion, worldly affairs, and sometimes even his health. Hasad is a disease of the heart. Like the diseases that attack the physical body, the spiritual diseases leave a negative impact on other spiritual organs causing pride, malice, hatred, love of the world, and the fear of death.
According to Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, a person has three stages/types of Hasad:
1. The Natural Human Quality- Here man is not at fault or sin. He is only acting to how he is expected to act as a creation of Allah and among the Insan.
2. The second degree is to act according to the desires of envy. This is usually caused by the whispers of Shaitan and the pokes from one’s inner self (nafs).
3. The last degree, is of the best among all of the three mentioned above. It is to act the opposite of the demands of envy. In this type, the creation is rewarded and Insha’allah will be given a high status in the eyes of Allah. According to some scholars, Allah grants high status in the eyes of people as well.

Allah’s messenger, in two different narrations, said, “A (true) Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand other believers remain safe.” (Bukhari/Muslim) And “a true believer is he whom people trust with their lives and possessions. (Tirmidhi) From the former Hadith, it is derived that a Muslim can trust his brother or sister with his secrets with the hope that he will not divulge it under any circumstances. In the latter Hadith, it is said that a Mu’min (believer) can trust another with even their lives. From the mentioned Ahadith, this would require a tremendous amount of humbleness. As is narrated, a bigger shaitan than Iblis himself is one’s own nafs. Every creation has a desire for some worldly possession, whether it be for the sake of Allah or not. If that desire grows even the slightest, it can lead to jealousy and pride. Diseases can grow without our being aware of that fact. Ever so often, it is recommended that we look into our hearts and ask ourselves what we truly desire for our Muslim brothers and sisters not only in one’s own community, but on the global scale.
“Say: “I seek refuge with the Rabb of the dawn from the evil of that He has created, and from the evil of darkness when it overspreads…” (Surah Falaq: Verses 1-3) From the above Qur’aanic Ayaat, we are warned of the evils of mankind. There will always be a person who envies another till the last day arrives. In this Surah, Allah also mentions that jealosy can lead to ‘Ayn, also known as Nazr (Evil Eye). Surah Falaq and Surah Nas, total of eleven ayaat, are prescribed for those touched by the evil eye. The Prophet Musa (Alayhe Salaam) was told to tell the Pharoah, “I have taken refuge with my Rabb and your Rabb against every arrogant person who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.” With these Ayaat and revalations, the Prophets from the past had firm conviction that it is the one Allah that can save us from the evils and harms of jealousy. All the world’s forces cannot even come close to matching Allah’s infinite power, as He is the King of Kings, Ruler of Rulers, and the most Powerful of the Powerful.
The strongest potion to ward off the harms and evils of jealousy is humbleness and calmness. As said by our Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallam), “Calmness is from Allah, and hastiness is from Shaitan.” We should approach the obstacles in our daily life with a calm and cool mind. Hasty decisions which are not with Mushwara (consultation) will never have Barakah (blessing). When seeing a fellow Muslim, we should always greet him with peace. And if one sees another whom he envies, he should especially stand up and greet him. Through this way, Insha’Allah, the jealousy will be removed from your heart.

May Allah Ta’ala make it easy for us to implement the advice mentioned and protect us from the evils and harms of jealousy. May Allah also make it easy for us to have firm conviction in His words and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhe Wallam). Ameen!