Envy is an emotion which occurs when a person lacks another's quality, skill, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it. Envy can also refer to the wish for another person to lack something one already possesses so as to remove the equality of possession between both parties. (Wikipedia)
There is popular saying that the lawn of the neighbour is always greener. This feeling arises when when does not look at the blessings one has but always wanting to have better than others. Such feelings of discontentment and resentment often leaves with heartburns and may even lead to development of enmity with those doing better than us.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has strictly forbade this emotional state and has advised to be always contended for what one has been blessed with. However, he said that envy is justified only in two cases.
This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book 6 The Book of Prayer - Travellers / كتاب صلاة المسافرين وقصرها / Chapter 47: The virtue of one who acts in accordance with the Qur’an and teaches it. And the virtue of one who learns wisdom from Fiqh or other types of knowledge, then acts upon it and teaches it / باب فَضْلِ مَنْ يَقُومُ بِالْقُرْآنِ وَيُعَلِّمُهُ وَفَضْلِ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ حِكْمَةً مِنْ فِقْهٍ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ فَعَمِلَ بِهَا وَعَلَّمَهَا / as Hadith number # 815a as under:
Salim narrated on the authority of his father (Ibn 'Umar) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Envy is not justified but in case of two persons only: one who, having been given (knowledge of) the Qur'an by Allah, recites it during the night and day (and also acts upon it) and a man who, having been given wealth by God, spends it during the night and the day (for the welfare of others. seeking the pleasure of the Lord).
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ، - قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، - حَدَّثَنَا الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ حَسَدَ إِلاَّ فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَهُوَ يَقُومُ بِهِ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ وَرَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالاً فَهُوَ يُنْفِقُهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ " .
The hadith about envy refers to the concept of "Ghibtah"—a positive form of envy in Islam, which does not involve wishing harm or deprivation to others but rather aspiring to attain similar blessings.
Before we explain the Hadith, let us first understand two forms of envy:
- Ghibtah (Positive Envy): Wishing to attain similar blessings without desiring the loss of blessings from the other person.
- Hasad (Malicious Envy): Desiring the deprivation of someone else's blessings, which is prohibited.
As can be seen that it is Hasad (malicious envy) that is dangerous which germinates evil thoughts about others and is thus detested in Islam. On the contrary Ghibtah (Positive Envy) is the feeling of goodness for others and wishing them well without any heartburns, and a desire to be blessed with the same.
You may also like to read our previous post: Prophet Muhammad cautioned against Jealousy and Mutual Estrangement
Explanation in Light of the Quran
- Envy in General: The Quran warns against Hasad (malicious envy), where one desires the removal of blessings from others:
"And from the evil of the envier when he envies." (Surah Al-Falaq, 113:5)
Instead, believers are encouraged to appreciate Allah's blessings on others and strive for similar virtues in a righteous manner.
- Envy in Wealth Used for Good: The Quran emphasizes spending wealth for Allah's sake:
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears, each bearing a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:261)
In this context, envy for a wealthy person who uses their resources to support charity, build mosques, or help the needy is praiseworthy because it inspires similar acts of righteousness.
- Envy in Knowledge of the Qur'an: The Quran highly values wisdom and knowledge, especially when it is shared:
"Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." (Surah Al-Mujadilah, 58:11)
Envy for a scholar or someone who has mastered the Qur'an and shares it reflects admiration for their contribution to faith and society. This aligns with the Quranic encouragement to seek knowledge:
"Say, Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9)
Key Lessons from the Hadith
- Two Ideal Aspirations:
- Wealth spent for righteous causes: A reminder to value wealth as a means of serving humanity and worshiping Allah.
- Knowledge acted upon and shared: Emphasizes the importance of not just learning but also teaching and living by divine wisdom.
- Aspirations for Good Deeds: The hadith encourages believers to compete in virtuous deeds, which aligns with the Quranic injunction: "So race to [all that is] good." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:148)
The hadith, thus, teaches that envy is only permissible when it leads to aspiring for virtues like generosity and knowledge. This aligns with the Quranic emphasis on pursuing good deeds, seeking knowledge, and spending wealth for righteous causes. It encourages Muslims to admire and emulate these qualities, fostering personal growth and societal benefit. And strive to develop these two qualities within so as to act as aspiration for others.
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.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Etiquettes taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.
You may refer to our reference: page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic supplications
Please refer to our reference page: Oft asked Queries from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the subject
For Hadiths on the subject, please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sadaqah صدقة / Voluntary Charity
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat - Prayers
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan for more Hadiths on the subject
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject
Please refer to our reference page: Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ related to Muslim Women for more Hadiths on the status of women in Islam.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadith e Qudsi (حدیثِ قُدسی) attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadith e Qudsi.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Hajj – the Fifth Pillar of Islam to know more about Hadiths related to Hajj.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sabr / Patience to read more Hadiths on the subject.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to read more Sunnah attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Please refer to our reference page: Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Self-Reliance with Dignity and Value of Honest Labour to read more related Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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