Hadith #2249

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

ما أقَلَّ راحَةُ الحَسُودِ۔

This can be translated into English as,

How little comfort the jealous person has!

In this short but impactful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the detrimental nature of jealousy and the lack of peace it brings to the heart of the one who possesses it.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us first explore the meaning of the word (hasud) "حَسُودِ" which translates to "jealous person." Jealousy, in its essence, is the feeling of discontent or resentment towards someone else's blessings, success, or possessions. It is a destructive emotion that stems from a lack of gratitude and a failure to recognize the blessings bestowed upon oneself by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that shed light on the negative consequences of jealousy and the importance of cultivating contentment and gratitude in our hearts. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Nisa, verse 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.

This verse reminds us that envy and jealousy towards others' blessings is futile, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has already bestowed His bounties upon each individual according to His divine wisdom. Jealousy only serves to blind us from recognizing the blessings we ourselves have been granted.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 76, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the destructive nature of jealousy:

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

The story of Qarun serves as a powerful example of the consequences of jealousy and arrogance. Qarun was blessed with immense wealth and possessions, but instead of being grateful, he became arrogant and jealous of others. As a result, he was punished by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and his wealth was destroyed.

Returning to the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can understand that the comfort referred to here is not merely physical comfort, but rather the tranquility and peace of the heart. Jealousy disrupts this peace, as it breeds negative emotions and discontentment. The jealous person is constantly comparing themselves to others, feeling resentful and dissatisfied with their own circumstances.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of purifying our hearts from jealousy. By doing so, we can attain true contentment and inner peace. Jealousy not only harms our relationship with others but also hinders our spiritual growth and prevents us from fully appreciating the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

As Muslims, it is crucial for us to reflect upon this Hadith and strive to eradicate jealousy from our hearts. We should focus on developing gratitude for the blessings we have been given and learn to celebrate the success and achievements of others. By doing so, we can attain a state of tranquility and contentment that brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strengthens our relationships with our fellow Muslims.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in purifying our hearts from jealousy and grant us the ability to cultivate gratitude and contentment. Ameen.