Dear Muslims!

Human beings are the most honourable creations of Allah (swt), however in the moral sense, just as they have good habits, they may have bad habits as well. Indeed, one of these bad habits is Hasad (Envy). Envy is to hate that someone should possess a blessing or happiness and wish that it be taken away from that person for oneself. Our religion which aims for the happiness of the individual and social life of human beings, declares envy against others haram. Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran “Do not be envious of what We have given to some people as means of enjoyment and worldly delight. Such means are a trial for them, but the reward that you will receive from your Lord will be far better and everlasting”.[1]

Dear Jamaat!

Envy is an act of the Shaytan. It is the name of the jealousy that Iblis had against Prophet Adam (as). Kabil killing his brother Habil, and Prophet Yusuf (as) being thrown into the well by his brothers are both results of jealousy. These are some of the main examples given in the Quran for such dangerous behaviours that envy may cause. This is such a tragical act that it deprives its owner of Allah’s mercy. Our Prophet (saw) warns us by saying, “Avoid envy, for envy devours good deeds just as fire devours fuel”.[2]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is impossible for a Muslim to honestly believe in Allah and the Hereafter if they are envious towards others. A true believer who is moralized by Islamic moral values ​​is never envious and always wants what he desires for himself amongst his brothers as well. On the other hand, he hopes that nothing disappears from someone else, and admires to possess the same thing they have for themselves. Our beloved Prophet (saw) enlightens us about who we should admire with the following hadith “Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Qur’an) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others.”[3]

Dear Muslims!

Jealousy towards the possessions, success and beauties of others is a criticism of fate and an objection to the mercy of Allah (swt). At this point, our scholars say, “Whoever believes in destiny becomes sure of grief.” Following on, Allah (swt) says “Is it they who distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We who distributed their livelihood between them in the life of this world. We have raised some of them above others in degrees, so that some of them may employ others in their work. And the Mercy of your Lord is better than the wealth they collect”.[4]

Here, Allah commands us to submit to what is destined for us.

May Allah (swt) make us of those who submit to what He has destined for us, and may He protect us from envy. Ameen

[1] Tâhâ suresi, 20:131
[2] Ebû Dâvûd, Edep, 44
[3] Buhârî, İlim, 15; Müslim, Salâtü’l-Müsâfirîn, 268
[4] Zuhruf suresi, 43:32