Discussion of envy, its definition, and an explanation of its danger.
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The Shaykh : For example, envy. What is envy? Do you know?
The student: Envy is wishing for the removal of the blessings of others.
The Shaykh : Fine. Rest.
He said: Envy is wishing for the removal of the blessings of others.
But this definition is not correct.
Envy: Disliking the blessing of Allah upon others, even if one does not wish for its removal.
So if a person dislikes that Allah blesses someone with a blessing, that is envy, even if he does not wish for its removal.
It is true that what the brother said, that envy is wishing for the removal of another's blessing, is well-known among the scholars. But the precise meaning of envy is disliking the blessing of Allah upon others, whether one wishes for its removal or not.
This envy, O brothers, is present in many people. It is a characteristic of whom? It is a characteristic of the Jews, and a characteristic of Iblis as well.
[Al-Baqarah 2:109].
So if you find in your heart envy toward the Muslims, whether groups or individuals, know that in your heart is a characteristic of the Jews, may Allah protect us from that. So purify your heart from this envy, and know that this envy is from the favor of Allah. Do you object to the favor of Allah? Do you dislike the decree of Allah?[An-Nisa 4:54]. Yes, so we say that it may be in the heart of a person who outwardly performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, in his heart is something of vile morals and hidden secrets that lead him to destruction.
The student: Envy is wishing for the removal of the blessings of others.
The Shaykh : Fine. Rest.
He said: Envy is wishing for the removal of the blessings of others.
But this definition is not correct.
Envy: Disliking the blessing of Allah upon others, even if one does not wish for its removal.
So if a person dislikes that Allah blesses someone with a blessing, that is envy, even if he does not wish for its removal.
It is true that what the brother said, that envy is wishing for the removal of another's blessing, is well-known among the scholars. But the precise meaning of envy is disliking the blessing of Allah upon others, whether one wishes for its removal or not.
This envy, O brothers, is present in many people. It is a characteristic of whom? It is a characteristic of the Jews, and a characteristic of Iblis as well.
Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves
ود كثير من أهل الكتاب لو يردونكم من بعد إيمانكم كفارا حسدا من عند أنفسهمSo if you find in your heart envy toward the Muslims, whether groups or individuals, know that in your heart is a characteristic of the Jews, may Allah protect us from that. So purify your heart from this envy, and know that this envy is from the favor of Allah. Do you object to the favor of Allah? Do you dislike the decree of Allah?