The Difference Between Envy and Gladness

Question:
What is envy?

Answer:
Envy is wishing for the blessing to be removed from the one who has it. Wishing for the blessing to be removed from the one who has it. But if you wish that Allah gives you the same, that is gladness, not envy. This is called gladness.
There is no envy except in two cases, meaning there is no gladness except in two cases: a man to whom Allah has given knowledge, so he spreads his knowledge and acts upon it, and a man to whom Allah has given wealth, so he spends it in the path of Allah. So one person says, "I wish I were like so-and-so; we will do as he does. I wish I were a scholar; we will do as the scholar does. I wish I were a merchant; we will give charity and do good." This person is given reward by Allah for his intention. Allah records the reward for him for his good intention, and gives him what He gives the scholar and the one who gives charity for his good intention. This is not from envy; this is from gladness. And this indicates goodness and the desire for goodness. As for envy, which is wishing for the blessing to be removed, that is a rebellion against Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). And it is also a desire for the blessing to be removed from the one who has it.