30
Mar 2024
Allah Almighty said: ‘And do not crave what Allah has given some of you over others.’ In this ayah of Surat an-Nisa, Allah is addressing the very common disease of hasad, envy. For example, if someone is not happy with the division of inheritance that was laid out earlier in the surah, this stems from envy that someone else has more than you. But the real core of envy is a lack of trust in Allah, who alloted these shares. This also applies to other situations. If you are unhappy that......
Read More
01
Jan 2022
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. Envy is a fire that devours your account Envy is the fourth disease which effects the heart. The Prophet (peace be on him): Hasad eats your good deeds like fire eats wood. (Abu Dawood) This is an instantly striking image, as we can all visualise how rapaciously fire consumes wood. It is therefore instantly obvious to us envy burns up the good......
Read More
19
Aug 2021
Question: Generally one expects that one will grow up and have a certain life, one will get married and will have children. When those things don’t happen then you’re left with a sense of unfairness that ‘I don’t have something that other people have’. You can try to say to yourself that you are happy for them and you can make dua for them but it still leaves you feeling sad. How do you know that you do not envy them but that that you are feeling sad at the fact that......
Read More
04
Dec 2018
Envy – the Destroyer of Contentment Ill effects of envy on society Envy is said to be the roots of many diseases of the heart, originally displayed by the accursed Shai’tan. It shows up time and again in many of the social ills we have prevalent in our society like tale bearing, backbiting, slander, hatred, gossip, jealousy, stealing, harming and even murder. Envy is generally blameworthy though it is permissible in a few cases. The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) allowed envy in two things, he said: “There is no......
Read More
09
Oct 2018
Beware the Green-Eyed Monster Do not covet something in which Allah has made some of you superior to others. For men there is a share of what they earned, and for women there is a share of what they earned. Pray to Allah for his grace. Surely Allah is all aware of everything. (4:32) Hasad- The In-built Feature Hasad is a feature which is built in our system – ghaira (jealousy). Pre-progammed within us, as a factory setting. Some manage to minimise it while others super-boost it. It has a switch off button, as well......
Read More
15
Mar 2018
The Essence of the Entire Quran How the perfect beginning reflects the perfection of its Creator In the Name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds The All Merciful, the Very Merciful The Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help. Guide us in the straight path The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have......
Read More