Hadith #1224

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الإيمان بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الحَسَدِ

which translates to

Faith is free of jealousy.

In this beautiful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the essence of true faith and its inherent purity, emphasizing that jealousy has no place within the realm of faith.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (faith) "الإيمان" refers to the deep-rooted belief and conviction in the heart of a Muslim, encompassing both belief in the existence and oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the acceptance of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the final messenger. (free) "برِيءٌ" denotes purity, innocence, and freedom from any impurities or flaws. Finally, (jealousy) "الحَسَدِ" refers to the feeling of envy or resentment towards others due to their possessions, qualities, or achievements.

The Quran provides us with several verses that shed light on the concept of jealousy and its incompatibility with true faith. In Surah Al-Nisa (4:54), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

This verse highlights the futility of jealousy, reminding Muslims that all blessings come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and that envy towards others is unwarranted.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and the futility of competing with others in accumulating material wealth. It serves as a reminder that true faith lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than engaging in jealousy-driven pursuits.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that faith and jealousy are inherently incompatible. Jealousy stems from a lack of contentment and gratitude towards the blessings bestowed upon others by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a negative emotion that can lead to harmful actions and damage relationships within the Muslim community. True faith, on the other hand, is characterized by a sense of contentment, gratitude, and trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) divine decree.

When a Muslim truly believes in the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and accepts that everything happens according to His divine plan, there is no room for jealousy. Instead, a person with true faith will rejoice in the blessings of others, recognizing that they are a manifestation of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mercy and generosity. They will strive to cultivate a heart that is free from envy and focus on improving their own character and relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that true faith is pure and untainted by jealousy. It calls upon us to reflect on our own hearts and strive to eliminate envy from our lives. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of contentment, gratitude, and trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) divine plan. Let us remember that jealousy only hinders our spiritual growth and unity as a Muslim community, while true faith brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fosters a harmonious society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to purify our hearts and increase our faith.