Jealousy refers to the state in which a person is not happy with the blessings of Allah that has been given to someone else or wishes that this blessing may be taken away from him or would not have this blessing, but if a person thinks that the blessing which is given to any other person, he wishes to get the same, it is called envy. Jealousy is not liked in Quran and Sunnah but to envy others is allowed. A person who commits jealousy is known as jealous. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Translation:
"And from the evil of an envier when he envies." (Surah Al-Falaq: 5)
In the very beginning, Iblees (Satan) was jealous of Hazrat Adam () and did not prostrate to Hazrat Adam despite the command of Allah Almighty. A person who is jealous of his Muslim brother's knowledge, art, wealth or position is one of the followers of Iblees (Satan).
The Holy Prophet said :
"Beware of jealousy, it eats good deeds like fire eats wood." (Sunan Abi-Daud: 4903)
To envy someone is not prohibited. It is permissible to look at the blessings of Allah and one's good habits and actions with envy. Regarding the permissibility of envy, the Holy Prophet (s) said:
"There are only two people worthy of envy: one to whom Allah gave the Quran and he continues to recite it day and night. And the second is the one whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it day and night in the way of Allah." (Sahih Bukhari: 7529)
The main reason for jealousy is that the jealous person does not work hard, if he had worked hard, he would have had the blessings of Allah and he would not have burnt in the fire of jealousy. Another reason is not praying for that blessing. Apart from this, the feelings of enmity, love for the worldly things, always busy thinking about wealth and designation are the basic symptoms of jealousy. Jealousy is connected to heart not with deeds. So, the person who wishes evil on any Muslim is jealous. A jealous person commits disobedience to Allah Almighty by not being thankful for the blessings which he has already been bestowed with and sometimes a person falls to such an extent that he even descends to murder. Just as Qabeel killed his brother Habeel out of jealousy. When a person commits such a bad act, he loses both in this world and the hereafter. It pushes the society towards negative feelings and factors instead of positive ones. In this way, he loses the purpose of his creation and sinks into the mire of ignorance, just as the Jews of Madina didn't embrace Islam out of jealousy with the Holy Prophet.
We should also account for ourselves, especially when we go to bed at night, we should analyze the whole day to see if we have not been jealous of a person. If you find yourself guilty, ask for forgiveness in the presence of Allah, and seek for the grace and mercy of Allah and ask for Barakah. The Holy Prophet , before going to bed every night, used to recite Muawzitin (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas) and Ayat al-Kursi and blow on his hand and apply it all over his body. (Sahih Bukhari: 5748)
We should avoid jealousy by following the teachings of Quran and Sunnah, so that we can succeed in this world and the hereafter. If we see anyone blessed by Allah, pray for barakah so that we may succeed in this world and the hereafter.
