Nafsiya Reflections: Envy, A Disease of the Heart

Assalamu Alaikum WRWB and Welcome to this week’s episode, where we’ll focus on Envy, A Disease of the Heart.

The word ‘hasad’ in arabic, has a shari and linguistic meaning, which most closely translates in english, to envy or even jealousy... it is when a person wishes for any particular blessing, advantage, merit or possession of his brother in Islam.. to be deprived from him... It goes beyond the dua’s or wishful thinking of acquiring the same possession or blessing... it specifically refers to the feeling that this blessing or possession or merit must be removed or denied from the other.

Capitalism has nurtured an atmosphere where the acquisition of material benefits and wealth of any kind, is the most worthy aspiration to have, and a sign of success and even happiness. It has reduced life to little more than a demand for sensual gratification. Acquiring wealth has become the highest perceivable value for man to uphold. The issue is that the capitalist system that we live under, constantly builds a desire in our hearts for worldly materialistic things, but then what comes as a result. The greed, the envy or jealousy, it doesn’t address that with concepts that curb that materialism and it doesn’t build contentment in individuals so they can cope with realities when they can’t possess all the luxuries or products. This ultimately leads to misery in this life.

Islam, on the other hand, addresses the needs and desires of mankind in a holistic manner. The Quran addresses materialism, or the acquisition of wealth, by constantly reminding us that the life of this world is temporary. As Muslims we know that Allah (swt) has fixed the rizq of every created thing on earth.

Rizq is the provision we are allocated, it includes our wealth, possessions, health and even our intelligence and the love and favours we receive in life. There is nothing that can reduce or increase what Allah (swt) has intended for us, so to wish for the blessings of others to be removed is to nurture envy in the heart... it is a disease of the heart truly.. and a crime against Allah swt, Ar Razzaaq the provider of rizq..and to question Allah swt’s decree is not something that is ever our concern, or subject to our own opinion. We should be concerned with, is treating each other in a manner which is ordained in our Deen.

As is mentioned in a hadith of RasulAllah s.a.w:

On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially raise prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn one’s back on each other; and do not undercut one another in business transactions. And [O] servants of Allah, be brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him. He does not fail him [when he needs him]. He does not lie to him. And he does not show contempt for him. Piety is here” – and he pointed to his chest three times. “It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honor.” (Recorded in Muslim)

To save ourselves from adopting this evil characteristic, we must have conviction in the fact that Allah is the controller of our affairs, our rizq and that His swt decision is the best and only decision for us... then we must sincerely become grateful for all that He has already given us, and realise with certainty that His decisions for us are best for our Dunya and Akhira.

We must call upon Him to further bless the people who have the things we too yearn for... that they are increased in barakah and goodness and that InshaAllah we too can acquire this good if it is best for us.

May allah swt guide and help us in everything we do, for His swt’s sake alone.. Jkhrn for joining us