In the name of God (Allah) the compassionate, ever merciful
Since most human beings already know about, have been jealous or been subjected to jealousy, there is no need to define what it means within this blog. Those who do not know can consult a reliable dictionary to find out.
The purpose of this blog is to present an Islamic approach to this sickness of the soul experienced by human beings.
Those who become jealous towards others, do so based on the thought that either the others have something that they should possess instead or have a better one than others.
The reason for jealousy is based on two factors. One is that the jealous person has worked towards possessing something and feels resentful towards others who may affect that gain by possessing similar or better, or that the jealous individual already posses something which considers it as an ‘inherited right’ for reasons only acceptable to the jealous.
As Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) says:
“Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for the others’ faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!”) “
and
“Being too proud, greedy or jealous is the source of all sins”
Here is a quote from Imam Ali (AS):
“If a friend envies (jealous of) you, then he is not a true friend.”
Yours truly, this Anonym, will present you the following short tale that illuminates not only what most people perceive as jealousy but also illuminates false accusations.
Many years ago a friend visited this Anonym, whose opinion the friend trusted, and asked my thoughts before buying a specific used luxury car. Since I never had a luxury car, based on what I had heard from other respected people about that automobile I told him that it will be more hassle to him than benefit. He left agreeing with all the reasons I gave him. Days later he came back and told me that he actually had decided to buy that automobile! When asked why, he said that one of his other friends had told him that the individuals who say bad things about his decision to buy the car, were jealous to him! I felt sad because of his false thought and betrayed, but just repeated why I told him that it was a bad decision.
Six months or so later this same friend came back to me with his head down and said that the luxury automobile that he bought had already cost him much more in repairs than the price of the car itself! This was one of the reasons I had warned him earlier against his purchase.
This occasion not only made this Anonym realize how jealousy is perceived by people, it also showed another point; My friend’s other friend who had suggested to him that if someone disagrees with his decision to buy the luxury car is out of jealousy and not kind suggestion, did so on false assumption and committed a sin and so did my own friend!
As Imam Ali (AS) said:
“… you should not accuse him whom you trusted.”
and
“To keep silent when you can say something wise and useful is as bad as keeping on propagating foolish and unwise thoughts”
At the end of this blog consider the following verse from the holy Quran that illuminates the ultimate source of being too proud and jealous regarding Satan himself. This is the time that God introduces Adam (AS) to the Angels and Iblis and asks them to honor and respect the first human being. Iblis did not respect Adam (AS) due to being too proud and jealous.
Sureh Al-Araf (11, 12):
And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, “Prostrate yourselves to Adam”, and they prostrated themselves, except Iblis (who later becomes what we know as Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves.(Allah) said: “What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate yourself, when I commanded you?” Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.”
For those who believe, as forgiveness is a Godly attribute, jealousy is a satanic attribute. Stay away from the jealous.
Thank you for reading this.
