Jealousy

Posted Aug 27, 2009 by Aboo Thaabit with 2 Comments

This is hoping for the removal of the  blessing of the other, and it is [based upon] hatred and contempt towards other people’s blessings. Jealousy is an evil disease, a killing poison, no one is saved from it except the one that is saved by the All-Mighty Most High.

Because of this, it is said:

No body is free from jealousy, but the lowly person shows his jealousy and the noble person witholds it [i.e does not show it] [Ibn Taymiyyah's Amraad al-quluub wa shifaa-uhaa p.134]

Then how common is jealousy amongst people! This person is envied for his wealth and this [person] for his knowledge and this [person] for his status amongst people.

And it [jealousy] is most common amongst intellectuals, people who work with eachother and above all amongst the ranks of women.

Jealousy is considered [by all] as from bad character and a very lowly path to pursue because it causes harm to the body as well as to one’s religion. Also it is the main cause of splits and disagreements.

Some of the Salaf said:

Jealousy was the first sin that Allah was disobeyed by in the heavens[Adab al-Dunya wa al-Deen p. 269]

Refering to Iblis envying Adam – may Allah send His peace and blessings upon him -

And jealousy; in truth is displeasure with the decree of Allah and His wisedom, because of this it is said:

Whoever is pleased with the decree of Allah then no one can upset him, and whoever is content with what Allah gives, jealousy will never enter [his heart] [Adab al-Dunya wa al-Deen p.144]

Moreover, the first person who will be hurt by jealousy is the jealous person himself because it will effect him without a doubt. This is why some [Salaf] say:

I have never seen a Dhaalim [oppressor] resembling the madhluum [the one oppressed] more then the jealous person.[Adab al-Dunya wa al-Deen]

[Translation from Suu-u al-Khuluq, Mathaahiruhu, Asbaabuhu, 'ilaajuhu]