Envy

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The man may hastily commit any evil deed and then (gradually) turn in disbelief, however, envy consumes belief (immediately) just as fire consumes firewood.”

“Envy consumes belief just as fire consumes firewood.”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Be pious before Allah and do not envy each other. It was in the Shari’a of Jesus to travel in the land. During one of his journeys one of his companions, who was of short height, accompanied him very often. When they reached the sea, Jesus with correct certainty said, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah,’ and began to walk over the water. The short man, looking at Jesus walking over the water, also with correct certainty said, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah’, walked over the water and reached Jesus. At such time he felt proud of himself and said, ‘This is Jesus, the Spirit of Allah who walks over the water, and I also walk over the water. Why then should he be more excellent than me?’ The Imam said, ‘He then sunk in the water and cried for help from Jesus, who took him out of water and asked, ‘What did you say, O short man?’ He replied, ‘This is Jesus, the Spirit of Allah who walks over the water and I also walk over the water, and I sensed pride inside.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You placed yourself in a place where Allah had not placed it. Allah resented what you said. Repent and return to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of what you have said.’ The man repented and returned to his position that Allah had given him. Be pious before Allah and no one of you must envy the others.’”

‘‘The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, ‘Poverty can almost be disbelief, and envy may almost overcome (disable) qadr/destiny.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Among the tragedies for religion is envy, feeling self- important and proud.’”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, said to Moses, “O son of ‘Imran, do not envy people for what I have given them of My favors, do not focus your eyes on it (what I have given to people), and do not allow your soul to follow it; an envious person is angry with My bounties, and blocks My distribution (favors) among My servants. Whoever is as such, I am not for him, and he is not from Me.’”

“A believer asks Allah for help but does not envy, and a hypocrite envies, but does not ask Allah for help.”