Hadiths and Reflections
In Islam, envy, or hasad, is considered a serious spiritual and moral issue. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provided guidance on understanding, managing, and avoiding envy, emphasizing how it can harm an individual’s spirituality and relationships. This article presents a selection of Hadiths related to envy, with each Hadith discussed individually to explore its essential teachings and insights. The Hadiths are organized with subheadings in English, Urdu, and Arabic for each, alongside a section that discusses key points from the Hadith. The goal is to give a comprehensive and easy-to-understand overview that brings out the teachings of Islam on managing envy.
What is Envy (Hasad)?
In Arabic, hasad means envy, which is the feeling of wishing for another person’s blessing to be removed. It is a desire to see someone else’s success, wealth, or happiness taken away. Islam teaches that allowing hasad to grow in one’s heart or acting on such feelings is sinful, as it contradicts the spirit of brotherhood and harmony encouraged by the faith. This article explores Hasad from an Islamic perspective, using the wisdom of various Hadiths to understand its impact and how believers are encouraged to purify their hearts from envy.
Introduction to the Teachings of Hadiths on Envy
The Prophet ﷺ spoke against envy, providing specific examples to explain when envy is unacceptable and when, under certain circumstances, it may have a positive dimension. Some key teachings about envy include:
Avoid Envy in Most Situations
Envy leads to bitterness and resentment, harming an individual’s spiritual well-being.
When Envy is Positive
In certain cases, desiring the blessings of others to perform good deeds, without wishing harm upon them, is permissible.
Guard Against Envy as a Destructive Emotion
Envy can destroy good deeds, just as fire consumes wood.
Each Hadith presented below will explore these key points further, providing valuable guidance on managing the emotion of envy in one’s life.
The Permissibility of Positive Envy
Hadith in English
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
“The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘There shall be no envy except in two cases: a person whom Allah has given the Quran and recites it day and night, and a person to whom Allah has given wealth which he spends in charity throughout the day and night.'”
(Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Hadith in Urdu
ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: ’’حسد صرف دو صورتوں میں جائز ہے: ایک شخص جس کو اللہ نے قرآن دیا اور وہ دن رات اس کی تلاوت کرتا ہے، اور دوسرا وہ شخص جسے اللہ نے مال دیا اور وہ اسے دن رات صدقے میں خرچ کرتا ہے۔”
(صحیح بخاری)
Hadith in Arabic
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: “لَا حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ: رَجُلٍ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَهُوَ يَتْلُوهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ، وَرَجُلٍ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالًا فَهُوَ يُنْفِقُهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَآنَاءَ النَّهَارِ.”
(صحيح البخاري)
Reference of Hadith
This Hadith is narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari, one of the most authentic collections of Hadith.
Key Points Discussed in Hadith
In this Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ allows envy in two situations: when someone has the Quran and recites it consistently and when someone has wealth and spends it generously. In these cases, envy is seen as admiration, not a desire to see others lose their blessings. This form of envy is termed Shibata in Arabic and signifies a desire to attain similar blessings to do good deeds.
Avoidance of Destructive Envy
Hadith in English
Narrated by Abu Huraira
“The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass.'”
(Source: Sunan Abi Dawud)
Hadith in Urdu
ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: ’’حسد سے بچو، کیونکہ حسد نیکیوں کو ایسے کھا جاتا ہے جیسے آگ لکڑی یا گھاس کو کھا جاتی ہے۔”
(سنن ابی داؤد)
Hadith in Arabic
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: “إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْحَسَدَ فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْحَسَنَاتِ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ النَّارُ الْحَطَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْعُشْبَ.”
(سنن أبي داود)
Reference of Hadith
This Hadith is found in Sunan Abi Dawud and has been graded as Sahih by various scholars.
Key Points Discussed in Hadith
This Hadith highlights the dangers of envy. The Prophet ﷺ warns that envy is spiritually destructive and compares it to fire consuming wood. Just as fire quickly destroys fuel, envy can destroy a person’s good deeds, eroding their reward and blessing. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of purifying one’s heart from envy and being content with Allah’s distribution of blessings.
The Limits of Competition in Goodness
Hadith in English
Narrated by Abu Huraira
“The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Do not envy each other, nor inflate prices to harm others, nor hate each other. Be servants of Allah, as brothers.'”
(Source: Sahih Muslim)
Hadith in Urdu
ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: ’’آپس میں حسد نہ کرو، نہ ایک دوسرے کو نقصان پہنچانے کے لیے قیمتیں بڑھاؤ، نہ ایک دوسرے سے بغض رکھو۔ اللہ کے بندے بنو، بھائی بھائی بن کر رہو۔”
(صحیح مسلم)
Hadith in Arabic
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: “لَا تَحَاسَدُوا، وَلَا تَنَاجَشُوا، وَلَا تَبَاغَضُوا. كُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا.”
(صحيح مسلم)
Reference of Hadith
This Hadith is found in Sahih Muslim, considered one of the most reliable Hadith collections.
Key Points Discussed in Hadith
In this Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ advises Muslims to avoid actions that lead to envy, such as manipulating prices to harm others or harboring hatred. He encourages a sense of brotherhood among Muslims, reminding them to live in harmony and treat each other with respect. This message underscores that envy often results in negative behaviour, disrupting social and economic harmony.
Practical Lessons on Avoiding Envy
These Hadiths offer several practical lessons:
Focus on Self-Improvement
Admiring others’ success should motivate us to strive for similar achievements, without wishing any harm upon them.
Avoid Competitive Resentment
Competing in good deeds is encouraged, but it should never turn into resentment.
Be Grateful for Allah’s Blessings
Contentment with Allah’s provision is a powerful antidote to envy, fostering peace in one’s heart.
Conclusion
Envy is a complex emotion that can harm both the envious person and those around them. Islam encourages believers to avoid envy by focusing on self-improvement, seeking blessings in positive ways, and being content with Allah’s wisdom. By following the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Muslims can learn to purify their hearts from envy and foster a community of mutual respect, brotherhood, and compassion.