Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

There is no comment about jealousy (Hasad) in your website.
Let me know please as to what practical steps can one take to prevent himself from being jealous. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

How to avoid jealousy

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 21 Surah Anbiyaa verse 35:

35 Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good (only) by way of trial: to Us must ye return.

Allah says in the Holy Quran in Chapter 67 Surah Al Mulk verse 2:

He (Allah) created death and life that He may test you, to see which of you is the best in deeds.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 13 Surah Raad verse 26:

26 Allah doth enlarge or grant by (strict) measure the sustenance (which He Gives) to whom so He Pleases. (The worldly) rejoice in the life of this world: but the life of this world is but little comfort in the Hereafter.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verses 18-21:

18 If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life) We readily grant them--such things as We Will to such persons as We Will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein disgraced and rejected.

19 Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter and strive therefore with all due striving and have Faith, they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to Allah).

20 Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all these as well as those: the bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).

21 See how We have bestowed more on some than on others; but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chatper 2 Surah Baqarah verses 200-202:

200 There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us (Thy bounties) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the hereafter.

201 And there are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and defend us from the torment of the fire!"

202 To these will be allotted what they have earned and Allah is quick in account.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 85:

85 Nor let their (the disbeliever’s) wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: Allah's Plan is to punish them with these things in this world and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah!

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, know and believe with absolute conviction that everything, absolutely everything….be it looks, lineage, position, status, off-springs, wealth, abundance, etc….absolutely everything with which one is blessed with is not because one deserves such abundance, but the Lord Most Wise has provided abundant favors and blessings on each amongst His creation only as a test and a trial, to see who amongst them are grateful and who amongst them are ungrateful unto Him.

Those who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day, and recognize the conditions of the trial of life should be content with the Decree and Distribution of their Lord Most High, and be grateful unto their Lord for the favors He has bestowed upon them.

‘Jealousy’ is a mental state or feeling that the good with which another has been bestowed be taken away from them and somehow reach unto you! This feeling of ‘jealousy’ in one’s hearts is no more than an instigation of the evil and accursed enemy of man, the Shaytaan, who inspires man to challenge and be discontent and dissatisfied with the Decree and Distribution of the Lord Most High.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4885 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Avoid jealousy, for jealousy devours good deeds just as fire devours fuel!’

Your Question: Let me know please as to what practical steps can one take to prevent himself from being jealous. 

One should know and believe with absolute conviction that whatever one possesses, is no more than a Decree and Distribution bestowed by the Lord Most High as a test and trial for a period of one life time, so that the Lord may see who amongst His slaves are grateful and who amongst them are ungrateful.

If one wishes to avoid ‘jealousy’ one should always look at the condition of those who have been bestowed with less abundance and favors than them, for that then would inspire them to be grateful unto their Lord for His innumerable favors. But if one constantly looks and admires and cherishes those who are bestowed with more favors than them as a trail from their Lord…..it opens the door for the Shaytaan to inspire them towards ‘jealousy’ and ungratefulness, and towards discontentment and dissatisfaction at the Decrees and the Distributions of their Lord Most Just.

For example, if one is blessed to have an honorable and lawful roof on one’s head, and he constantly looks at those few who live in magnificent houses or palaces….it is possible that one would become envious and jealous. But if one looks at the millions of people who are homeless, one would be inclined to be grateful for the favors with which one is blessed!

If ever the Shaytaan inspires one towards ‘jealousy’, one should immediately turn towards their Lord Most Gracious in sincere repentance, and seek refuge from the evil whispering of the accursed enemy of man, the Shaytaan, by declaring ‘Audobillahe minas Shaytaan ar-rajeem’ (I seek refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan, the accursed) and furthermore, strive to recite the Glorious Surahs 113 Al-Falaq and 114 An-Naas as often as they possibly can…..it is expected that Allah Subhanah will protect them from the evil whisperings of the accursed Shaytaan.

Beloved brother, because ‘jealousy’ arises from the instigation and the whispering of the accursed Shaytaan, and because the Shaytaan is bent on inspiring people to be ungrateful to their Lord….the feeling of ‘jealousy’ is not something with which one can do away with or which would disappear with time, but rather one has to constantly battle and restrain himself from playing into the hands of their avowed and accursed enemy, the Shaytaan by constantly remembering and seeking refuge in Allah Subhanah.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan