Is envy among the major sins?

Question : Is envy, O Shaykh, among the major sins?

Answer : Yes, the scholars have counted it among the major sins. They classified it as a major sin, either because the hadith is authentic: "Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood," which makes it clear because it contains a warning. Or, if the hadith is not authentic, it is because it is a trait of the Jews, and because Allah the Exalted condemned it in the Qur'an, mentioning it in a way that indicates condemnation, and because it entails being dissatisfied with the decree of Allah and hating the decree of Allah. Thus, there are indications that it is among the major sins.