The Sunnah provides clear evidence that envy is a real and harmful affliction. The Prophet PBUH warned of jealousy and hatred and explained how these qualities can lead to the destruction of faith, division and even wrongdoing and killing. The following narrations demonstrate the serious nature of envy and its harmful effects.
Envy and Its Harmful Effects
Al-Tirmidhi narrated that the freed slave of Al-Zubayr said: The Messenger of Allah said:
The disease of the nations who came before you has started to spread among you: jealousy and hatred. This is the 'shaver' (destroyer); I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (destroys) faith. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of that which will strengthen love between you? Spread (the greeting of) Salaam amongst yourselves.
It was narrated that Abu Huraira (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
My Ummah will be stricken with the disease of the other nations.
They said:
What is the disease of the other nations?
He PBUH said:
Insolence, arrogance, accumulation (of wealth), competition in worldly gains, mutual hatred and envy, until there will be wrongdoing and then killing