The Student of Knowledge’s Love for His Fellow Student

Likewise, the effect of knowledge must be apparent in his love for his brother, wishing for him what he wishes for himself. You will find some students—and perhaps even great scholars—who, when their brother distinguishes himself in something, try to belittle him, demean him, and hunt for his faults so that he does not stand out above them. This character trait is one of the traits of the Jews; they are the ones who envy people for what Allah has granted them of His bounty. This is due to a person’s ignorance, because if a person reflects on who granted this bounty, it is Allah the Mighty and Majestic. So, ask Allah, who granted it to him,For this reason, Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Nisa: 32] ask the One who granted it to him to grant it to you. As for wishing for the removal of Allah’s blessing from him, or hating what Allah has bestowed upon him, that is from your foolishness and from adopting the character of the Jews, the brothers of the monkeys and the pigs. Do you accept this? No. So, if you see that Allah has blessed your brother with distinction in memorization, understanding, or diligence, say: O Allah, just as You have bestowed upon him, bestow upon me.Do we not say in the tashahhud: (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim) meaning: just as You bestowed upon Ibrahim and his family the blessing of Your prayers upon them, so bestow upon Muhammad and his family.
Thus, the character of the student of knowledge must be one that abandons envy, whether little or much.