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The Absurdity of Envy
It is reported that Muhammad b. Sîrîn – Allâh have mercy on him – said, “I have never envied anyone over anything: if a person is going to be in the Fire, how could I envy him over some worldly matter when he is destined for the Fire?! And if he is going to Paradise, how could I be envious of a man of Paradise with whom Allâh tabâraka wa ta’âlâ is pleased?!” Muslim said, “We have never heard anything better than this from the words of Ibn Sîrîn.”
Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-‘Ilm article 2931.
Related posts:
- Accept the truth, whoever it comes from
- No poverty after Paradise and no wealth in the Fire
- The hard life now for the good life later
- Faith is not just in the heart [definition of Iman]
- Three Laughs and Three Tears
November 22, 2008 - السبت 24 ذو القعدة 1429
Topics: 'Aqîdah, Character, Paradise, The Fire
Names: Muhammad b. Sîrîn
ShareThis5 Responses to “The Absurdity of Envy”
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Subhanna'llah, i don't understand this saying (and may Allah grant us understanding of the deen).
i would certainly be envious of someone who was granted Jannah…. because i wish that was me.
I wouldn't be able to bear the fact that i am not amongst those who Allah Azza wa ja'l is pleased with-
isn't this a thing to be envious about?!
that someone else has gained Allah's pleasure, and you have attained His displeasure??!!
maybe this is my ignorance, someone please correct me, and may Allah make you and me of those He is pleased with. Ameen
It seems that Muhammad ibn Seereen rahimahullaah was implying the enviness occurring over worldly matters and thus causing hatred and enmity between each other. How can someone envy a person who is going to be in Paradise over worldly matters? This was the taqwa and zuhd of the Salaf.
The way I understood it was that how can Ibn Sirin be enviou of someone with whom Allah is pleased. That is if Allah is pleased with that person then as a respect for that pleasure you should not envy the other person, as enviness is not a good feeling towards someone else.
Insha Allâh both responses have correct meanings in accordance with the general known principles of Islamic character. It would be useful to keep in mind that the blameworthy kind of envy in Islam is when a person is critical of Allâh’s wisdom and justice in what he has given to others, or when a person wishes for the good to be removed from others. Wishing for good qualities and rewards that others might have without wanting them to lose what they have is not blameworthy, rather it is a virtue.
jaazakhallahu khiran, to all the replies, Allah (SWT) grants understanding of the deen to those He Loves, and May Allah bestow on us all Beneficial Knowledge.
to clarify, because i never made it clear, the envy is on basis of not being able to see the Glorious Face of Allah Azza Wa Jaal, not to wish it be removed from another person. (and may Allah remove diseases of such from our hearts)
barakhallahu feekum particularly to akhee Owais- i now have a clearer understanding.
so insha'Allah i will not be blamed, but insha'Allah, rather receive the Mercy from Ar Rahmaan to be amongst those He is Pleased with.
May Allah SWT make us all of those who remain and die upon the Haqq, and amongst His Prophets.