Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (ḥafiẓahullāh)
What is Hasad (envy) according to Islam?
Hasad (envy) is defined as:
When Allah ﷻ bestows a blessing upon someone, another person desires that this blessing be taken away from the one who has it and transferred to himself.
✿ The first instance of Hasad was committed by Iblis against our father Adam (عليه السلام).
✿ Among humans, the first sinful act stemming from Hasad was when Qabil (Cain) killed his brother Habil (Abel).
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ..
“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth: when they both offered a sacrifice, and it was accepted from one of them but not from the other. He said: ‘I will surely kill you.’ The other said: ‘Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous.’”
(Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:27)
Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“After the decree and destiny of Allah, most deaths in my Ummah will occur due to the evil eye (envy).”
Reported by Imam al-Bukhari in al-Tarikh al-Kabir 4/360,
and Imam al-Haythami in Kashf al-Astar 3/403, Hadith 3052.
✿ Hasad is a spiritual illness that will continue until the Day of Judgment.
✿ Hasad and true faith cannot coexist in the same heart.
Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not cut ties, do not bear grudges, and do not envy one another. Be servants of Allah and brothers.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2559)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The best of people is the one who has a clean heart (qalb makhmum) and a truthful tongue.”
They asked: “What is a clean heart?”
He ﷺ replied:
“It is a pious and pure heart that has no sin, no oppression, no hatred, and no envy.”
They asked: “Who comes after that?”
He said:
“One who despises the worldly life and loves the Hereafter.”
They asked: “And after that?”
He said:
“A believer with good character.”
(See: Sahih al-Jami‘, Hadith 3291)
Abu ‘Ubaydah commented:
“The word ‘naqiyy’ (pure) refers to one whose heart is free from envy and malice.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4306)
✿ Shaykh al-Albani (رحمه الله) graded the narration authentic.
✔ Hasad is a serious spiritual disease that can lead to major sins and harm to others.
✔ Islam not only recognizes the reality and danger of envy but also prescribes spiritual purification and good character as cures.
✔ A true believer is expected to keep his heart free from envy, malice, and ill will toward others.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
❖ Question:
What is Hasad (envy) according to Islam?
❖ Answer:
Hasad (envy) is defined as:
When Allah ﷻ bestows a blessing upon someone, another person desires that this blessing be taken away from the one who has it and transferred to himself.
❖ Historical Background:
✿ The first instance of Hasad was committed by Iblis against our father Adam (عليه السلام).
✿ Among humans, the first sinful act stemming from Hasad was when Qabil (Cain) killed his brother Habil (Abel).
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ..
“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth: when they both offered a sacrifice, and it was accepted from one of them but not from the other. He said: ‘I will surely kill you.’ The other said: ‘Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous.’”
(Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:27)
❖ The Danger of Hasad:
Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“After the decree and destiny of Allah, most deaths in my Ummah will occur due to the evil eye (envy).”
Reported by Imam al-Bukhari in al-Tarikh al-Kabir 4/360,
and Imam al-Haythami in Kashf al-Astar 3/403, Hadith 3052.
✿ Hasad is a spiritual illness that will continue until the Day of Judgment.
✿ Hasad and true faith cannot coexist in the same heart.
❖ Prohibitions and Warnings:
Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not cut ties, do not bear grudges, and do not envy one another. Be servants of Allah and brothers.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2559)
❖ The Best of People – The Pure Hearted:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The best of people is the one who has a clean heart (qalb makhmum) and a truthful tongue.”
They asked: “What is a clean heart?”
He ﷺ replied:
“It is a pious and pure heart that has no sin, no oppression, no hatred, and no envy.”
They asked: “Who comes after that?”
He said:
“One who despises the worldly life and loves the Hereafter.”
They asked: “And after that?”
He said:
“A believer with good character.”
(See: Sahih al-Jami‘, Hadith 3291)
Abu ‘Ubaydah commented:
“The word ‘naqiyy’ (pure) refers to one whose heart is free from envy and malice.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4306)
✿ Shaykh al-Albani (رحمه الله) graded the narration authentic.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Hasad is a serious spiritual disease that can lead to major sins and harm to others.
✔ Islam not only recognizes the reality and danger of envy but also prescribes spiritual purification and good character as cures.
✔ A true believer is expected to keep his heart free from envy, malice, and ill will toward others.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
