Jealousy

Jealousy can be defined as a state of anger, grief and misery upon witnessing the successes of another person, accompanied by hope and desire for the person’s failure. This is haram and condemned strongly in Islam. Jealousy implies displeasure at the decree and distribution of Allah Rabbul-Izzat and questioning His wisdom and authority of granting whom He desires and how He desires. If this feeling is experienced without desiring the failure of the other person but hoping that the blessing remains with the envied one and granted to the envier also, then such a feeling is termed as “Ghibtah” which is permissible.

The religious harm of jealousy is the destruction of righteous deeds; its worldly harm is the perpetual state of grief, sorrow and heartache experienced by the jealous one.
“Jealousy devours good deeds just as fire devours dry wood.” (Hadith)

A Wonderful Remedy

Hazrat Moulana Thanwi Rahimahullah prescribed the following remedy (to be acted upon for 3 weeks at least) to a person who complained of suffering this destructive spiritual malady:

1. Dua to be made on behalf of the object of jealousy at least once daily
2. Praising him verbally amongst one’s associates
3. To occasionally invite him home for a meal
4. Occasionally to bless him with a gift
5. Meeting him before departing on a journey and bringing him a gift upon the return.

After three weeks of applying this remedy, he wrote back stating that half of his illness had disappeared. He was asked to continue for another three weeks. This time his reply was that all feelings of hared and malice had changed to love and compassion. Undoubtedly, he remedy is bitter, but the peace of mind and happiness that is acquired through meticulous application of this bitter remedy is unsurpassable and incomparable to the continuous heartache and destruction that was experienced hitherto.