Dont Envy

Dont  envy (i.e, have destructive jealously).

Not just because it is an unworthy sentiment, but also because you have no clue what those you envy may be going through in their own lives!

Perhaps a blessing Allah gave them is actually proving to be a big test. Perhaps something you see as ease is in reality an agent of stress day in and day out, if not now, then maybe a stress for them in the hereafter, on the day of judgement or in the grave.

In order to discourage envy, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Do not look to those above you. Look to those below you, as it will more likely remind you of Allah's favors bestowed on you." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Maybe what Allah has blessed them with is a means for them to enter Jannah, or enter the Hellfire. Maybe if this blessing was yours, it would instill pride in your heart, or maybe it would increase you in sin, or maybe it would take you away from Allah. This could be the case for the blessing they have,
so say Alhamdulila for what you have... and what you don't!

Ease your heart by the knowledge that what is meant for you will come to you, and what passed you by was never yours in the first place, and what has not been decreed for you will never come to you, even if you got the whole world to help you. So make dua' for yourself and your brothers & sisters in faith. It is in contentment and not in envy that true wealth lies.

"Do not regard with envy the worldly benefits We have given some of them, for with these We seek only to test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting." (20:131)

- Islam permits Ghibtah What Islam permits in contrast to Hasad (destructive jealousy) is Ghibtah (envy that is free from malice), which means neither loving the loss of the blessing nor hating for it to remain with the person, but desiring the same for oneself without the removal of the blessing from others.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Envy is allowed in two cases, in case of a man whom Allah has given the Qur'aan and who recites it throughout night and day; and a man on whom Allah has bestowed wealth who gives it away throughout night and day." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

- Allah through His Absolute Wisdom has given some people more wealth, intelligence, beauty, strength, children, etc. than others. The believing Muslim should be content with what Allah has destined for him. Allah says: "Allah favored some of you over others with wealth and properties… Do they deny the favors of Allah?" [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 71] And: "Do they envy men for what Allah has given them of His Bounty?" [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 54]

The favors of Allah in the world are a test; the more the favors, the more the tests.
- Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "Umar Ibn Khattab wrote this letter to Abu Musa al-Ash'ari,
'Be content with your provision in this world, for the Most Merciful has honored some of His servants over others in terms of provision as a test of both. The one who has been given plenty is being tested to see if he will give thanks to Allah and fulfill the duties which are his by virtue of his wealth" [Ibn Hatim]

May Allah make us content with His blessings and content with His Qadr. Ameen.