TAMBIHUL GHAAFILEEN - ADMONITION FOR THE NEGLECTFUL
by Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi


13. JEALOUSY

THE ABOMINATION OF JEALOUSY AND MALICE AND HOW TO REFRAIN FROM THESE.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned, "Malice and jealousy consume good actions just like fire consumes wood."

He has also mentioned that most people are involved in three evils (viz.)

  1. thinking ill of others,
  2. jealousy and
  3. Taking evil omens.

When someone asked what the method was for abstaining from these three vices, Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied,

  1. Do not disclose your jealousy to anyone and do not speak ill of the person of whom you are jealous.
  2. Do not think ill of anyone till you witness his evil yourself.
  3. Do not take heed of any insects or crows on the roadside, nor of any twitches of your limbs (i.e. do not take any evil omens from these, whereby you would be reluctant to proceed further).

In this way, you will be saved from the evil of the above."

A SUPPLICATION.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (R.A) says that a person should recite the following du´aa whenever he apprehends evil befalling him from certain quarters. The du´aa is He should pass by the cause while reciting this du´aa. He will not be harmed by this.

THE EFFECT OF JEALOUSY FIRST BEFALLS THE JEALOUS PERSON: - 5 PUNISHMENTS OF JEALOUSY.

Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (R.A) has mentioned that jealousy is the most destructive of all sins because it causes the jealous person to be afflicted with five punishments before it can affect the person whom he is jealous of. These are:

  1. An unending sorrow.
  2. A calamity for which there is no reward.
  3. He will be criticized from every angle without receiving any praise.
  4. He will earn Allah´s wrath.
  5. The door of guidance will be closed for him.

THE JEALOUS PERSON IS AN ENEMY OF ALLAH´S BOUNTIES.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned, "Some people are enemies to Allah´s bounties." When someone enquired as to who they were, Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied, "Those who are jealous of people who are enjoying good fortune."

THE RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS ARE MOST GUILTY OF JEALOUSY.

Hadhrat Maalik bin Dinaar (R.A) has said, "I will give precedence to the testimony of religious scholars over the testimony of all others, but not when it is given against other religious scholars. This is because I have found jealousy to be most prevalent amongst them."

SIX THINGS THAT WILL CONDEMN SIX PEOPLE TO JAHANNAM BEFORE RECKONING.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned that six people will be condemned to Jahannam on account of six evils even before reckoning commences. These are:

  1. Leaders and rulers, due to their injustice.
  2. The Arabs, due to tribal feudalism.
  3. People in high positions, due to pride and arrogance.
  4. Merchants, due to deception and misappropriation.
  5. Villagers, due to their ignorance.
  6. Religious scholars, due to jealousy. (This refers to those religious scholars who are jealous of each other due to their greed for the world. If a scholar is concerned of the Hereafter, he will not harbour any jealousy for another).

A SAYING: - 6 ADVICES.

Hadhrat Ahnaf bin Qais (R.A) says,

  1. The jealous person can never enjoy any peace.
  2. The miser can never fulfil any promises.
  3. The small-hearted can never have any friends.
  4. Self-respect cannot be earned by lying.
  5. A traitor can never be trusted.
  6. The ill-mannered person cannot have any love in him.

JEALOUSY CANNOT BE HARBOURED FOR
ANYONE: - 2 REASONS.

Hadhrat Muhammad bin Seereen (R.A) said, "I have never been jealous of anyone concerning worldly things because people are of two types. If he is pious and destined for Jannah, then why should I be jealous of him? If he is destined for Jahannam, then how can one be jealous of him?"

THE ADVICE OF RASULULLAH (SALLALLAHU-ALAYHI-WA-SALLAM).

Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik (R.A) says that he remained in the service of Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) from the age of eight.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) first gave him the following advice,

  1. "Oh Anas! Perform wudhu well because it will bless your life and the protecting angels will love you.
  2. Be particular in taking a bath because impurities exist beneath every hair and sins are forgiven thereby.
  3. You must perform the mid morning salaah (Dhuha) because it is the salaah of those who repent. Also perform other salaah during the day and night, due to which the angels will pray for you.
  4. Carry out all the postures of salaah properly, for Allah likes and accepts this type of salaah."
  5. Remain in the state of wudhu at all times, and you will not forget the kalimah at the time of death.
  6. Greet the inhabitants of your home when entering. This will create blessings in the home.
  7. Greet every Muslim you meet on the street. This will cause you to taste that sweetness of Imaan and you will be forgiven for the sins committed while on that street.
  8. Do not harbor enmity or jealousy for a Muslim for even a moment.

This is my way. Whoever will adopt my way has expressed love for me and whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah. Oh Anas! If you remember my advice and practice thereupon, death will be welcome to you and death will hold comfort for you."

THE JEALOUS PERSON OPPOSES ALLAH IN 5 WAYS.

It has been mentioned that the jealous person opposes Allah in five ways viz.

  1. He detests every bounty that others receive from Allah.
  2. He expresses displeasure at the way in which Allah distributes His bounties (he deems Allah´s distribution to be incorrect).
  3. He is miserly with Allah´s grace (he does not want Allah to bestow. His grace upon whomsoever He pleases).
  4. He humiliated Allah´s friends (the desire that another should be deprived of Allah´s bounty actually means that he desires the person to he humiliated).
  5. He assists Allah´s enemy, Iblees (the purpose of Iblees´s life is to deprive people of Allah´s grace).