Envy is jealousy/hatred when someone is not happy with you being blessed with something. The Arabic word for envy is hasad.
From an Islamic perspective, this is the attribute of Iblees (may the curse of Allah be upon him) who was asked to prostrate before the first human creature Adam (peace be upon him) and he denied the command of prostration from Allah as he claimed to be superior than Adam (peace be upon him). All the angels prostrated except Iblees.
He declared war against Allah and even promised to lead the muslims astray. Iblees even made Adam fall into sin by tempting him to going against the command of Allah. The proofs are mentioned in the Qur’an:
“And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zâlimûn (unjust and wrong-doers).”
Then Shaitân (Satan) whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save that you should become angels or become of the immortals.”
And he [Shaitân (Satan)] swore by Allâh to them both (saying): “Verily, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both.”
So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitân (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?”
They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.”
(Allâh) said: “Get down, one of you is an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwâ’ (Eve), and Shaitân (Satan)]. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment for a time.” 7:19-24
The one who envies others will have his good actions destroyed based on the hadith:
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4903
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Suyuti
Evidence from the Quran:
“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.” 113:5
When one is not protected by daily morning and evening adkaar (duas/surahs), the effects of hasad can hit the person and its effects can be disastrous
Effects of hasad
The effects of hasad can be as follows:
- Health Issues
- Poor provisions
- Not able to find a job
- Things keep on breaking such as mobile phone/car/appliances
- Poor concentration and not able to use one’s intelligence
- Poor memory and not as sharp as before