Hadith #4836

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Having a heart that is free of rancour and jealousy is from the felicity of a servant.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (khuluww) "خُلُوُّ" in the Hadith refers to the state of emptiness or freedom from something. In this context, it signifies having a heart that is devoid of two negative traits: (al-ghill) "الغِلِّ" and (al-hasad) "الحَسَدِ". (al-ghill) "الغِلِّ" refers to rancor or ill-will towards others, while (al-hasad) "الحَسَدِ" denotes jealousy or envy.

To understand the importance of having a heart free from rancor and jealousy, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the prohibition of negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting, which are all manifestations of rancor and ill-will towards others.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the destructive nature of jealousy in Surah Al-Nisa (4:54),

Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? But we had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom.

Jealousy stems from a lack of contentment with the blessings bestowed upon others by Allah. It is an attribute that contradicts the concept of gratitude and satisfaction with one's own provisions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of having a heart free from rancor and jealousy by referring to it as (sa'adat al-'abd) "سَعَادَةِ العَبْدِ", which translates to the felicity or happiness of a servant. This implies that true happiness and contentment can only be achieved when one purifies their heart from negative emotions and cultivates positive qualities such as love, compassion, and empathy.

When a person's heart is free from rancor and jealousy, they are able to establish harmonious relationships with others, maintain peace within themselves, and focus on their own self-improvement. They are not burdened by negative emotions that hinder their spiritual growth and hinder their ability to connect with Allah and their fellow Muslims.

Moreover, having a heart free from rancor and jealousy leads to a sense of tranquility and inner peace. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Rad (13:28),

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.

When our hearts are filled with love for Allah and His creation, there is no room for negative emotions to reside.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of purifying our hearts from rancor and jealousy. By doing so, we attain true felicity and happiness as servants of Allah. We must strive to emulate the qualities of love, compassion, and empathy, as exemplified by the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and rid ourselves of negative emotions that hinder our spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all to possess hearts that are free from rancor and jealousy, and grant us the ability to cultivate positive qualities in our lives.