HARBOURING ENVY?

In an age where people’s lives are so transparent for many to view via social networking sites, often “stalking” can lead to envy as we compare our lives to the lives of others. So as we gaze at the photographs of our friends’ weddings, holidays, newborns, spouses or homes, envy maybe nurtured within us. If we hear news of someone doing well in their exams, or gaining a job promotion, envy may grow within us. Envy may perhaps initially be indiscernible within our hearts. But on closer inspection we realise we wish we had what they enjoy and we would feel pleasure at the thought of them losing that blessing. And because these are just feelings which we harbor, and not actions which we commit, we consider envy to be harmless and benign. Yet envy is the root to so many other evils. It is the root to backbiting, scorning, hurting others feelings and possibly even breaking friendships and relationships.

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: “ Indeed envy eats up good deeds just as fire consumes wood. ” [Ahmad]

On the one hand you may be a veritable factory of good deeds. You may be earning heavy rewards equitable to the mountains and with sincerity equivalent to the oceans in depth. You may be reading lots of Quran and praying Salaah. You may have fasted in the month of Ramadaan. You may be working for your local community voluntarily, keeping ties with your relations. Yet on the other hand, because you envy others for the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah (subhana wa ta’aalla), you may come to find on the day of judgment that your good deeds have been burnt to ashes. And as fire quickly consumes and burns wood, the envy you harbour will also quickly burn and consume your good deeds.

JEALOUSY AND ENVY – ARE YOU GUILTY?

Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “ Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood. ” (Abu Dawood)

Zubayr bin al Awwaam (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “ There has come to you the disease of the nations before you, jealousy and hatred. This is the ‘shaver’ (destroyer); I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (destroys) faith ”. This is a hadith hasan, (Jami ut Tirmidhi (2434))

Allah Ta’ala says: “ Allah favoured some of you over others with wealth and properties. Do they deny the favours of Allah? ” (Surah an-Nahl (16): 71)

And in another verse: “ Do they envy men for what Allah has given them of His Bounty? ” (Surah an-Nisaa (4): 54)

HARBOURING ENVY?

In an age where people’s lives are so transparent for many to view via social networking sites, often “stalking” can lead to envy as we compare our lives to the lives of others. So as we gaze at the photographs of our friends’ weddings, holidays, newborns, spouses or homes, envy maybe nurtured within us. If we hear news of someone doing well in their exams, or gaining a job promotion, envy may grow within us. Envy may perhaps initially be indiscernible within our hearts. But on closer inspection we realise we wish we had what they enjoy and we would feel pleasure at the thought of them losing that blessing. And because these are just feelings which we harbor, and not actions which we commit, we consider envy to be harmless and benign. Yet envy is the root to so many other evils. It is the root to backbiting, scorning, hurting others feelings and possibly even breaking friendships and relationships.

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed envy eats up good deeds just as fire consumes wood.” [Ahmad]

7 CAUSES OF ENVY (HASAD)

Hasad is a desire that a blessing or a cause of happiness departs from its possessor and becomes transferred to oneself. Hasad is cancerous in its effect and leads to hatred, animosity, ill-feelings and often further disobedience towards Allah Ta’ala. It is condemned in many ahaadeeth. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wassallam) said,

‘Envy eats away good deeds like fire eats away wood.’ (Abu Daud and al-Tirmidhi).

Some of the causes of hasad are as follows:

1.Enmity and hatred: This is the one of the severest cases of envy because when a person has hatred and enmity in his heart for someone animosity begins to settle in his heart. This animosity needs to be treated and causes the person to desire revenge. If he is unable to get some sort of revenge, this animosity turns into envy: the person yearns for his enemy to lose any blessings that he has.

NOT EVERYONE IS WHAT THEY POST TO BE

If you’re not careful, you’ll be fooled to think perfection exists.

From perfect flawless selfies to wow holiday destinations….social media has people selectively glorifying their lives.. Posting their best food, clothes and moments to create the perception of an ideal life…

Behind the scenes however, reality chronicles a very different picture.

From holiday destinations to food, fun and laughter, don’t be bamboozled to believe everything you see and read.

A depressed person will post the funniest jokes and quotes to block off their own woeful emotions.

PLEASED WITH ALLAH’S DECREE

‘WHEN there is just one son, parents have to make him live with them; when there are several, it’s easier, as some of them can go abroad. After all, parents should not be left all alone. That is why one should have many children,’ says a mother-of-five empathetically. I remain silent, not agreeing with her simply because not everyone is blessed with children

My mind shifts to some childless couples and unmarried people I know.

If Allah has kept them barren, what should their outlook be on life during old age?

Should they constantly be complaining to Allah for the fate decreed on them, or should they accept their fate and be content with it, achieving peace of mind?

Almost anyone and everyone can choose to be ungrateful. A short person may wistfully look at taller people and lament on his or her natural stature; a pauper sitting on the curb may stare enviously at the glamorous cars passing by; a blind person can very well gripe about not being able to see; and of course how slightly dark-skinned people wish they had fairer skin.

The Fire Within

 

It is a major cause of suspicions, malice, enmity and hatred. It often leads to gossip, slander, character assassination and even murder. It is the fire within…the fire called JEALOUSY. It was the first sin committed on earth when the son of Hazrath Aadam (AlaihisSalaam), Qabil, became jealous over his brother Habil. It eventually lead him to murder Habil. Therefore, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has severely warned against this malady of the heart which destroys the fabric of society.

Jealousy and Envy

Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood.” (Abu Dawood)

Zubayr bin al Awwaam (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “There has come to you the disease of the nations before you, jealousy and hatred. This is the ‘shaver’ (destroyer); I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (destroys) faith”. This is a hadith hasan, (Jami ut Tirmidhi (2434))

HOW TO CLEAN THE HEART

 

The sin of malice and discord is serious. Even on special occasions despite Allah’s abundant mercy, we always find one particular class of people that are Deprived which are those who harbour ill-feelings and jealousy in their hearts towards others. In addition to this, some ahadith say that such people’s salah is not accepted by Allah.(At-Targheeb, vol.3 pgs.455-462)

Hereunder are a few tips to clean the heart of Jealousy, envy and ill-feelings:

1) Recite the following ayah in abundance:

“Rabbanagh fir lana wa li ikhwaninal lazheena sabaquna bil iman, wala taj’al fee quloobina ghillal lillazheena amanu Rabbana innaka Raoofur Raheem”
(Surah: 59 Ayah: 10)