Hadith #2256

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

يَشْفيكَ مِنْ حاسِدِكَ أنَّهُ يَغْتاظُ عِنْدَ سُرُورِكَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

It is a consolation for you that the one who is jealous of you becomes furious when you are happy.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in the light of the Quran.

The word (hasidika) "حاسِدِكَ" in the Hadith refers to someone who is jealous of you. Jealousy is a negative emotion that arises when one desires what another person possesses, whether it be material possessions, success, or happiness. It is a destructive emotion that can lead to animosity and resentment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights a unique aspect of jealousy in this Hadith. He states that when someone is jealous of you, they become furious when you are happy. This indicates that the happiness and success of the person being envied intensify the jealousy and anger of the envious individual.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this statement, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Falaq, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 113:5)

And from the evil of an envier when he envies.

This verse acknowledges the harm that can be caused by an envious person and seeks protection from their evil.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the characteristics of the hypocrites and their envy towards the believers. Allah says, (Quran 59:9)

And if they find a chance for theft, they become satisfied with it and if they find an opportunity for envy, they become envious.

This verse highlights the inclination of hypocrites towards envy and their satisfaction in causing harm to others.

Now, let us reflect on the exegesis of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a profound insight into the nature of jealousy. When someone envies you, their jealousy is not alleviated by your success or happiness. On the contrary, it intensifies their negative emotions, leading to anger and frustration.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of envy and its destructive consequences. It teaches us that our success and happiness may provoke jealousy in others, but we should not let that deter us from pursuing our goals and finding joy in our achievements. Instead, we should strive to maintain humility and gratitude, seeking protection from the evil of envy through supplication and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was a paragon of knowledge and wisdom. His profound understanding of human nature and the intricacies of emotions is evident in this Hadith. He reminds us that jealousy is a reflection of the envious person's own shortcomings and insecurities. By remaining steadfast in our pursuit of happiness and success, we can overcome the negative effects of envy and continue to thrive.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be aware of the destructive nature of jealousy. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility and gratitude in the face of success and happiness, while seeking protection from the evil of envy through supplication and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the harm of envy and grant us the strength to overcome its negative effects.