Two Forms of Praiseworthy Envy
Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
❖ Question:
Is there any form of envy that is praiseworthy?
❖ Answer:
Yes.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«لا حسد إلا فى اثنتين: رجل آتاه الله القرآن، فهو يتلوه آناء الليل وآناء النهار، ورجل آتاه الله مالا، فهو ينفقه آناء الليل وآناء النهار»
“Envy is not (permissible) except in two cases: A man whom Allah has granted the Qur’an, so he recites it throughout the night and day; and a man whom Allah has granted wealth, so he spends it throughout the night and day.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tawhid, Hadith no. 97]
This type of envy is referred to as “Rashk”, which means that a person wishes to possess a blessing similar to what another person has.
The blameworthy form of envy is when a person desires the removal of a blessing from another.
«ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم»
