In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters! Jealousy/Envy, or Hasad means wishing that a blessing that Allah has bestowed on the envied person be taken away from him, whether it is a blessing in religion, knowledge, wealth or in any worldly affairs. And Jealousy/Envy or Hasad is an abhorrent manner.
Jealousy/Envy, or Hasad, is a destructive spiritual disease in Islam that harms the envier more than the envied, as it represents resentment towards Allah’s divine distribution of blessings. To overcome it, one must protect their heart with sincerity, content with Allah’s will, and pray for others’ well-being. Motivational Islamic content often emphasises seeking refuge in Allah, being mindful of sharing successes, and reciting specific Qur’anic chapters for protection.
I’ve heard many people ask, “Is the evil eye a real thing? If so, how do you avoid it? Do you hide everything good from others? Can you go on social media or do public speaking?” The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Beware of envy, for it consumes good deeds just as fire consumes wood or grass.” [Abu Dawud]
In Islam, the evil eye is a reality, and it can be powerful. The Islamic scholars explain that it is Allah’s will. Sometimes, Allah Almighty creates harmful effects from the evil or jealous looks of others.
However, as humans, we have the power to ward off the Hasad if we learn to protect ourselves using the medicine from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
For example, we can recite Qul Huwallahu Ahad, Falaq, and Nas every morning and every night, ideally three times. It is also recommended to say them once after every prayer and, at their best, before going to sleep at night. This should be done intentionally, with your heart and mind.
We can also recite Ayatul-Kursiy every morning and every night. It is also ideal to recite it after every prayer and before going to sleep at night. You should reflect on the powerful meanings of these Qur’anic verses as well.
Also we can frequently supplicate to Allah to protect us from Hasad and the evil eye. One of the best Prophetic supplication’s we have been given to people for the protection from Hasad and evil eye is:
“أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ.”
Meaning:
“I seek refuge in the most perfect words of Allah from every devil, harmful thing, and accusing eye.” [Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ahmad]
We also should try to make Du’a before all major and important acts we want to accomplish. We should ask Allah the Most High to give us success (Tawfiq), sincerity (Ikhlas), and make the action a means of attaining the love and good pleasure of Allah the Most Merciful.
Please, try to make these recitations and Du’as a part of your daily life, and don’t forget to say them for your spouse and children too. Then remind your family to say it for themselves daily as well. In my entire life, I live by the beautiful words of our Sheikh, Abdul-Ghaniy al-Nabulsi, who said:
“Be with Allah. You will always find Allah with you.”
We can be with Allah by turning to Him in all our affairs. By obeying His commands out of love, gratitude, true worship, and servitude. We can find Allah with us because He is “closer to you than your jugular vein.” Moreover, Allah Almighty NEVER EVER lets the efforts of those who seek Him go unanswered.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Resort to secrecy for the fulfillment and success of your needs, for verily, everyone who has a blessing is envied.” [reported by At-Tabarani]
Jealousy/envy, or Hasad is the vice that never makes us feel happy in our lives.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Envy consumes good deeds just as fire burns wood. Charity extinguishes sinful deeds just as water extinguishes fire. Prayer is the light of the believer and fasting is his shield from the Hell-fire.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Respected brothers and sisters! As mentioned above, Jealously/Envy, or 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆.
𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘀 beloved 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 the Most High 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀:
“Say: ‘I seek refuge with Allah, the Lord of the daybreak. From the evil of what He has created. And from the evil of the darkening night as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as it sets or goes away). And from the evil of those who practise witchcraft when they blow in the knots. And from the evil of the envier when he envies.’” [Surah al-Falaq]
What is meant by “when he envies” is when he manifests what he feels of envy in his heart and acts on it, and his envy makes him do something bad to the one whom he envies.
Fellow brothers and sisters! Jealousy/Envy, or Hasad, is one of the most destructive diseases of the heart. It goes beyond a mere wish to have what others possess, it is the bitter resentment of their blessings and, at times, the hidden desire to see them stripped away. This inner fire not only poisons relationships but corrodes the soul of the one who harbours it. Islam warns us that Envy/Hasad consumes good deeds just as fire consumes dry wood, leaving behind nothing but ashes of wasted effort.
Jelousy/Envy, or Hasad, is a silent fire that destroys from within, eating away Iman (faith), happiness, and good deeds. Yet, when we replace envy with gratitude, Du’a, and trust in Allah’s decree, the fire is extinguished, and the heart becomes fertile ground for contentment.
Jelousy/Envy, or Hasad, shrinks the soul, but gratitude expands it. Hasad destroys, while contentment builds. Every believer must decide: will we let the fire of envy consume us, or will we rise above with Iman (faith), contentment, and trust in Allah’s wisdom?
Our Imam, Ash-Shaikh al-Uthaimin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“Verily, Hasad/Envy, or Jealousy is an awful trait which is unfortunately found mostly between the Islamic scholars and between the students of knowledge. It is also found between the businessmen, politicians and civil servants, with regards to each other. Everyone who possesses an occupation is envied by his colleague in it. But sadly, the Envy/Hasad between the Islamic Scholars and between the students of knowledge is more SEVERE while they should have been the first of the people and the most worthy that they, the people of knowledge, be furthest of the people from Envy/Hasad and to be the closest of the people towards having the best of characters.” [The Book of Knowledge, page 54, Darul Minhaj printing]
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“Do not envy each other, do not outbid each other, do not hate each other, do not turn away from each other, and do not outsell each other. Rather, be servants of Allah as brothers. The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him, nor humiliate him, nor look down upon him. Righteousness is here,” and he pointed to his chest three times. The Prophet said, “It is enough evil for a man to look down upon his brother. The entirety of the Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his life, his wealth, and his reputation.” [Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself.” [Bukhari]
My beloved brothers and sisters! Jelousy/Envy, or Hasad, is a desire that a blessing or a cause of happiness departs from its possessor and becomes transferred to oneself. Hasad is cancerous in its effect and leads to hatred, animosity, ill-feelings and often further disobedience towards Allah Almighty. It is condemned in many Qur’anic verses and Prophetic Hadiths.
And in reality when a person is envious of another, he is actually doubting the wisdom of Allah Almighty and questioning His decision. This is because, ultimately, it is Allah who decided what favours’ to bestow on which people.
Jelousy/Envy, or hasad, among Prophet Yusuf’s brothers was a destructive force that stemmed from their father’s favoritism and led to their plotting against him. This envy grew to such an extent that they first planned to kill him, ultimately deciding to throw him into a well instead, which they then hid from their father with a fabricated story. This event serves as a cautionary story of how unchecked jealousy/envy can lead to drastic and sinful actions.
Also, Jelousy/Envy, or hasad, is a major theme in the story of Prophet Adam’s children, Qabil and Habil, most notably leading to the first murder on Earth when one brother killed the other due to envy after their sacrifices were judged differently by Allah Almighty. This initial act of envy is linked to the envy of Iblis (Satan) towards Prophet Adam, which led to his disobedience. It serves as the foundational example of how envy can lead to extreme sin and violence, with the concept that while the initial impulse may be natural, acting on it through injustice is sinful.
Sahl Ibn Hunaif reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“If one of you sees something from his brother, or in himself, or in his wealth which impresses him, then supplicate for him to be blessed in it. Verily, the evil eye of envy is real.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmad, graded Sahih (authentic) according to Shaikh Al-Albani]
Finally, there’s an arab proverb that says:
“ُإرضاء الناس غاية لا تدرك… وإرضاء الله غاية لا تترك.”
“Pleasing people is a goal no one can achieve, and pleasing Allah is a goal that one must not leave.”
O Allah, protect us from the mischief of the envious one as they practises envy. May Allah Almighty protect us from this evil and severe disease. Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa bara ka tuh
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.
