The Sixth Type: Envy (al-Hasad)

It is one of the worst and most malicious manners. However, the hearts were created with it. It is identified as hate that a blessing reaches someone else or remains with him for no valid reason that requires this, like enmity or others. It is considered envy because of high ranking of the other and the well-praising, as it is considered the same. It is unanimously forbidden according to Islamic Law.

Envy can be by the heart, as we previously mentioned, and it can be by saying, by denying the high prestige of the envied and saying that he does not deserve such a prestige and to mention his defects and mistakes as well as to criticise him—not for his sake, but intending to lower his high rank that he envied him for.

From the behaviours that is related to it: stopping to let people know about the good morals and merits of him in a position that requires this. There is no blame if he asked Allah to do for him what he did for the envied; however, he must not wish that the bounty of the envied to be his. The evidence for the two matters is His saying, glorified and exalted be He; {and desire not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel over others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, and for women there is reward for what they have earned. Ask Allah of His Bounty} (Q. 4:33).

Know that from the whole of what is mentioned that envy is divided in four levels:

●     The first is to wish for the disappearance of the bounty, and that this bounty is to be granted to him. This is the greatest one.

●     The second is to wish for this specified bounty, but he does not wish for the bounty to disappear.

●     The third is that he wish for the same bounty, not any one similar to it; but if he was not granted, then he wishes for the bounty to disappear.

●     The fourth is to wish for a similar bounty, but it he was not granted it, then he does not wish for it to disappear.

And this request is from the bounty of Allah, but if it was not forbidden then it is hoped that it saves him from the lethal sins which leads to Hell. As envy is a disease and a disease for whoever has it. Whereas it is considered a flame of fire, which burns in the heart of the envier, and it is created inside the hearts. As the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, said: ((There is no body free of envy, but the generous (good) one hides it, and the malicious shows it)). So when its burning fire erupts—may Allah save us—then it has to be fought by either remembering the evidences which defames it or by remembering what was said by the sages:

“The envier is angry with one who does not have any guilt” and similar sayings.