How to Avoid Envy: An Islamic Perspective

Envy (hasad) is a destructive emotion that can erode personal peace, relationships, and societal harmony. In Islam, envy is considered a grave spiritual disease that can lead to sinful behavior and distance one from Allah’s mercy.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Qur’an provide profound guidance on recognizing, preventing, and overcoming envy.

This blog explores the concept of envy in Islam, its dangers, and practical steps to avoid it, supported by Qur’anic verses and authentic hadiths in Arabic and English.

Understanding Envy in Islam

Envy is defined as the feeling of resentment towards someone’s blessings, coupled with the desire for them to be taken away. Islam differentiates between two forms of envy:

1. Blameworthy Envy (Hasad): Wishing harm upon someone by wanting their blessings to be removed.
2. Admirable Emulation (Ghibtah): Aspiring to achieve similar blessings without wishing harm to the other person.

Allah warns against envy in the Qur’an:

وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
“And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”
(Surah Al-Falaq, 113:5)

The verse highlights the harm envy can cause, not just to the individual feeling it, but also to the one envied.

The Dangers of Envy

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described envy as a destructive force:

إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْحَسَدَ، فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْحَسَنَاتِ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ النَّارُ الْحَطَبَ
“Beware of envy, for it consumes good deeds just as fire consumes wood.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood, 4903)

This hadith underscores the spiritual consequences of envy—it erases good deeds, diminishing one’s efforts to earn Allah’s pleasure.

Causes of Envy in Islam

Envy (hasad) arises from deep-seated emotions and negative attitudes that lead to resentment of others’ blessings. Recognizing these causes is essential for overcoming envy and purifying the heart.

• Discontent with Allah’s Decree
  Envy often stems from dissatisfaction with Allah’s wisdom and allocation of blessings. The Qur’an reminds us:

وَاللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الرِّزْقِ
“And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision.”
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:71)
Failing to trust Allah’s plan can lead to resentment and envy.

• Pride and Arrogance
  Believing oneself more deserving of blessings than others fosters envy. Iblis was envious of Adam (AS), leading to his downfall. He said:

أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ
“I am better than him.”
(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:12)

• Insecurity and Comparison
  Constantly comparing oneself to others creates feelings of inadequacy and envy. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised:

انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ
“Look at those below you, not those above you.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2963)

• Materialism
  An excessive attachment to worldly possessions intensifies envy, as people covet what others have instead of valuing their own blessings.

How to Avoid Envy

Strengthening Faith in Allah’s Decree

Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) is fundamental in Islam. Recognizing that Allah is the ultimate provider and His wisdom is perfect helps suppress envy. The Qur’an states:

وَاللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الرِّزْقِ
“And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision.”
(An-Nahl, 16:71)

Understanding that Allah distributes blessings as a test encourages gratitude instead of envy.

Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude (shukr) is a powerful antidote to envy. By focusing on one’s blessings, the heart becomes content. Allah promises:

لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].”
(Surah Ibrahim, 14:7)

The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:

انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ، وَلَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ
“Look at those below you, and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable for you to not belittle the blessings of Allah.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2963)

Supplicating for Others

One way to counter envy is by sincerely praying for the well-being of the person envied. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

مَنْ دَعَا لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ وَلَكَ بِمِثْلٍ
“Whoever prays for his brother in his absence, the angel says, ‘Ameen, and for you the same.’”
(Sahih Muslim, 2732)

This not only purifies the heart but also attracts blessings for the one praying.

Avoiding Comparisons

Comparing oneself to others fosters discontent and envy. The Qur’an advises against this:

لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا
“Do not extend your eyes toward what We have given to [some] classes of them to enjoy, [as being] the splendor of worldly life.”
(Taha, 20:131)

Focusing on one’s own blessings instead of others’ possessions cultivates inner peace.

Seeking Refuge in Allah

Reciting specific verses and supplications protects against envy. Surah Al-Falaq is particularly powerful:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ . مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ . وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ . وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ . وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of that which He created… and from the evil of an envier when he envies.’”
(Surah Al-Falaq, 113:1-5)

The Prophet (ﷺ) also recommended the following dua:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts, and the oppression of men.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6369)

Reflecting on the Harm of Envy

Recognizing that envy harms the envier more than the envied can help deter this emotion. Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:

“Envy is like lighting yourself on fire and expecting the other person to burn.”

The Prophet (ﷺ) warned against envy:

لَا تَحَاسَدُوا، وَلَا تَبَاغَضُوا، وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا
“Do not envy one another, do not hate one another, and be servants of Allah as brothers.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6065; Sahih Muslim, 2559)

The Virtue of Contentment

Contentment (qana’ah) is a shield against envy. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ
“Wealth is not having many possessions; rather, true wealth is the contentment of the soul.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6446; Sahih Muslim, 1051)

When one is satisfied with Allah’s provision, envy dissipates, leaving room for gratitude and peace.

The Role of Taqwa in Overcoming Envy

Taqwa, or God-consciousness, is a powerful shield against envy (hasad), helping believers align their hearts with the will of Allah and rise above negative emotions. When a person develops taqwa, they focus on earning Allah’s pleasure and trust His wisdom in distributing blessings, rather than comparing themselves to others.

The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of taqwa:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا . وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
(Surah At-Talaq, 65:2-3)

A person with taqwa understands that Allah’s provision is based on His infinite wisdom, removing the root of envy.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also highlighted that envy is incompatible with taqwa:
لَا يَحِلُّ لِمُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَحْسُدَ أَخَاهُ
“It is not permissible for a Muslim to envy his brother.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, 4903)

Taqwa nurtures contentment, gratitude, and reliance on Allah, which replace envy with inner peace. A God-conscious heart rejoices in others’ blessings, knowing that ultimate success lies in piety, as Allah says:
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ
“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)

Conclusion

Envy is a destructive emotion that stems from dissatisfaction and lack of gratitude. By turning to Allah, practicing gratitude, avoiding comparisons, and cultivating contentment, we can overcome this spiritual disease.

Islam offers comprehensive guidance on how to avoid envy, emphasizing the importance of faith, prayer, and self-purification. May Allah protect us from the harms of envy and grant us hearts that are content and grateful.

اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قُلُوبَنَا مِنَ الْحَسَدِ، وَارْزُقْنَا الْقَنَاعَةَ وَالشُّكْرَ عَلَى نِعَمِكَ، آمِينَ
“O Allah, purify our hearts from envy, and bless us with contentment and gratitude for Your blessings. Ameen.”

External Resources

• Overcoming envy requires inner purification and self-discipline. Learn about the process of Tazkiyah in Islamic teachings at Islamic Teachings on Tazkiyah (Purification of the Soul).
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned against envy and its harmful consequences. Explore these warnings in the Hadith on Envy and Jealousy.
• Contentment is key to overcoming envy and achieving peace of mind. Read more about contentment from an Islamic perspective at The Islamic Perspective on Contentment.
• Islam provides spiritual remedies to overcome envy and foster a positive mindset. Find detailed insights at Spiritual Remedies for Envy in Islam.
• Seeking Allah’s help through patience and prayer is essential to managing emotions like envy. Reflect on this message in Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 2:286.
• Envy disrupts social harmony and violates the principles of Islamic ethics. Learn more about Islamic ethics on social behavior at Islamic Ethics on Social Behavior.