Envy is a resentful desire for another’s good to be removed. while one may outwardly look like admiring someone's success, inwardly it is completely tangent to admiration. This evil sentiment is found in every heart - even siblings envy others when gifted or blessed more. Except for the parents, who express real admiration to the success of their children, no other relations is ever happy over others' well being, achievements and accomplishments. Therefore, guarding one's secrets, more often than not, is essential for protecting one's emotional well-being and personal safety is of utmost importance, as sharing secrets can expose one to manipulation and harm rather than trusted admiration. Therefore one must always ensure privacy to maintain boundaries to allow building strength quietly, and preventing intimate information from being weaponized against you.
Islam considers envy, specially when it is evil and destructive a major spiritual disease of the heart. We share today a prophetic advice as mentioned in Surah Yusuf in its fifth ayah. In this verse, Prophet Yaʿqub (Jacob, peace be upon him) warns his son Yusuf (Joseph) not to share his dream with his brothers, fearing they might plot against him. He reminds him that Satan is a clear enemy to humanity. Let us unpack this verse with reference to the context and its implications for us today:
Context (Surah Yusuf)
Surah 12, Surah Yusuf, tells the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph). The young Yusuf was a darling of his father for his extraordinary intelligence, wisdom and intellect. For this he was never liked by his other brothers and who were always being envious of him and scheming to harm little Yusuf rather than loving their youngest sibling. It is mentioned in the fourth verse of the Surah that young Yusuf shares a dream with his father: he saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowing to him. Knowing what the dream held for his beloved Yusuf, Prophet Ya'qub advised him not to tell the dream to his brothers for he knew that his brothers were always envious and jealous of Yusuf due to their father’s special love for him.
In fact, the mention of his dream to his father develops into larger story about jealousy, patience, divine wisdom, and eventual success after hardship.
The Verse
قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقۡصُصۡ رُءۡيَاكَ عَلٰٓى اِخۡوَتِكَ فَيَكِيۡدُوۡا لَـكَ كَيۡدًا ؕ اِنَّ الشَّيۡطٰنَ لِلۡاِنۡسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيۡنٌ
(12:5) His father said: "My son! Do not relate your dream to your brothers lest they hatch a plot to harm you. Indeed Satan is man's open enemy.
As the meanings of the dream were quite obvious, Prophet Yaʿqub had a genuine fear that Yusuf’s step brothers would become all the more envious of him when they would hear this. So he warned his righteous son not to mention his dream to his brothers, for he knew that those sons of his did not bear the moral character worthy of the sons of a Prophet, and, therefore they were up to any evil design against him out of mere envy. As regards to the dream, the sun in it was Prophet Ya'qub, the moon his wife, Prophet Yusuf’s step mother, and the eleven stars were his eleven brothers.
Let us take a time out and dwell on The Concept of Hasad (Envy) in the Qur'an and Islam to understand the true meaning of the verse quoted above for it was the envy of Yusuf's brothers that always disturbed his father due to which Yusuf was to suffer for many years of his life, while his father lamented for his loss.
- What Is Hasad? Hasad (حسد) means envy, specifically wishing that someone else loses a blessing (wealth, success, beauty, knowledge, status, etc.), whether or not you gain it yourself.
- Qur’anic Foundation Other than the verse quoted above, it is mentioned in Al Qur'an (113:5): “And from the evil of an envier when he envies.” Muslims are taught to seek refuge in Allah from the harm caused by envy.
- Prophetic Teachings: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Beware of envy, for envy consumes good deeds like fire consumes wood.” (Hadith – Abu Dawud). This shows envy harms the envier first — spiritually and emotionally.
- How Islam Teaches Protection from Envy
- Increase Gratitude: Focus on what you have.
- Make Duʿa for the Person You Envy: This weakens resentment.
- Avoid Constant Comparison: Comparison fuels envy.
- Recite Surah Al-Falaq: Seeking protection from the evil of envy.
- Strengthen Tawakkul (Trust in God)
Now let us turn to the 5th verse of Surah Yusuf which advises the believers to guard their secrets, lest the are harmed due to envy of others.
Key Themes and Meanings
- Wisdom in Sharing Personal Blessings Prophet Yaʿqub understood that not everyone rejoices in one's success, even one's siblings. Therefore his advice underscores the need to guard one's secrets, dreams, goals, aspirations or even blessings. This does not mean to be overly secretive, but being mindful of sharing anything that embodies good which may make others jealous and envious.
- Awareness of Jealousy (Hasad) Jealousy can distort judgment and damage relationships. And jealousy of Yusuf's brothers led them to a great harm which they did to him,
- Parental Guidance The advice by Prophet Yaʿqub shows protective wisdom. He doesn’t dismiss the dream but guides his son carefully so that no harm comes to him due to an evil eye.
- Satan as an Instigator The verse mentions Satan as a clear enemy — meaning envy and conflict are often fueled by negative whispers and emotions.
Implications Today
- Be Careful Who You Share Your Goals With
- Remember! Not everyone supports your ambitions.
- Example today: (1) Posting every success or future plan on social media may invite envy or negativity. (2) Sharing business ideas prematurely can lead to sabotage or competition.
- Emotional Intelligence in Families
- Sibling rivalry still exists today. Parents must manage fairness carefully.
- Example: Showing obvious favoritism can create resentment among children.
- Managing Jealousy:
- Unchecked jealousy can destroy relationships — in families, workplaces, and friendships.
- Example: (1) A coworker undermining another due to envy of promotion, (2) Friends distancing themselves when one becomes more successful.
- Strategic Silence
- Sometimes wisdom is in silence, not exposure.
- Modern principle: “Move in silence until it’s time.”
Broader Spiritual Lesson
The verse teaches:
- Protect your blessings.
- Recognize human weakness.
- Trust divine wisdom.
- Understand that trials may come from those closest to you.
Although, envy often results in harm despite being secretive about one's aspirations, yet there are Divine plans that may save one, specially for those who trust in Allah.
Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for selected verses from Surah Yusuf.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
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