Envy is Similar to Jealousy, Know the Prohibition and Its Negative Effects

Kapanlagi.com - Islam is a religion that prioritizes the character of its people. There are various teachings and recommendations to make Muslims have noble character. Muslims are commanded by Allah SWT to avoid various reprehensible and harmful actions. Hasad (envy) is one of them. For some people, the behavior of hasad may still sound quite unfamiliar. In fact, hasad is one of the traits that must be avoided.

According to scholars, hasad is an act similar to envy. It means that the person with this trait feels displeased when others receive blessings. In fact, they dislike it so much that people with hasad have a desire for the blessings received by others to be destroyed. Certainly, such a characteristic will distance a person from the pleasure of Allah SWT.

READ ALSO: Verses of the Quran About Heaven and Hell

Hasad is an act that is hated by Allah SWT. Therefore, it is important to understand it so that we do not fall into it. As reported from liputan6.com, here is an explanation about the act of hasad.

1. Understanding What Envy Is

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As mentioned earlier, envy is a despicable act similar to jealousy, which makes someone feel displeased when others receive blessings from Allah SWT. Envy can start from the act of being ungrateful and feeling happy when others receive blessings. Furthermore, envy can bring about a desire for the blessings received by others to disappear.

Meanwhile, according to the majority of scholars in Syarh Al-Arba'in An-Nawawiyyah, envy is the condition of a person's heart when they want the blessings of others to disappear. In this case, blessings can mean many things, such as status, knowledge, wealth, and so on. Another view on envy is expressed by Ibn Taymiyyah. According to him, envy is an act of hating and disliking others who are in a good state.

Although it is a quality that is hated by Allah SWT, some believe that envy may be allowed as long as it is related to religious and afterlife matters. This means that in this case, envy will guide someone to be more diligent in worship and to draw closer to Allah SWT.

2. Evidence about Envy

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Envy is an act that is hated by Allah SWT. The prohibition for Muslims to have this trait comes directly from Allah SWT. This is evident from several pieces of evidence. One of them is in Surah An-Nisa, verse 32, which means as follows:

And do not envy what Allah has given some of you over others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing (QS. An-Nisa, verse 32).

In addition to the above excerpt, evidence or discussion about the trait of envy in the holy book of the Quran is also found in Surah An-Nisa, verse 54. The evidence regarding envy is as follows:

Or do they envy people (Muhammad) for what Allah has given them of his bounty? But we had already given the family of Ibrahim the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom (QS. An-Nisa, verse 54).

3. Humans with Envious Nature

In practice, it is actually very difficult for humans to avoid the envious nature. Because, in practice, envy includes several actions, including the following.

1. The desire to eliminate the blessings of others. This can be done through various efforts, words, and actions.

2. Envy is only in the heart and mind, not expressed through words and actions that go beyond limits.

3. Having an envious nature, but not wanting to eliminate the blessings of others. People like this are usually motivated to strive to obtain similar blessings.

4. Feeling that one has an envious or jealous nature in the heart and mind, but always trying to eliminate it.

4. Negative Impacts of Envious Nature

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Certainly, there are reasons why envy is a trait that should be avoided. Not only because it is hated by Allah SWT, but envy also brings several negative impacts. The negative impacts of envy are as follows.

1. Making someone ungrateful for blessings, denying all the blessings that Allah SWT has given them.

2. It can devour all the previous good deeds. In this case, envy can make others hate and belittle them.

3. Making someone forget the correct way to pray for blessings or grace from Allah SWT.

4. Envy contradicts perfect faith. As stated by the Prophet, a person is not considered to have faith when they desire something from their brother that they want for themselves.

5. Envy can make someone underestimate the blessings they have received. This is because envious people have a habit of constantly comparing.

6. Envy only brings suffering, not satisfaction. The heart of an envious person will feel tight and restless.

Those are some explanations about envy, a detestable act similar to jealousy. May it be beneficial, and may we always be kept away from such detestable traits. Amen!

(kpl/psp)