Friday Sermon: The Destructive Effects of Envy to the Ummah

Islamic teachings identify envy, or 'hasad,' as a profoundly destructive disease of the heart that can inflict severe spiritual damage. Scholars delineate distinct 'shades' or levels of this affliction, each escalating in severity and danger. The most prevalent form, often termed the 'everyday shade,' manifests as the simple wish for another person to lose a blessing they possess, irrespective of whether the envious individual benefits. This can surface as resentment towards a colleague's promotion or a friend's online joy, a sentiment described as 'haters' energy' that poisons the soul. This form is recognized in the Quran, where some People of the Book envied the Prophet Muhammad not for personal gain, but because they did not want him to have God's favor. At a deeper, more dangerous stage, envy transforms into intense hatred and frustration. Individuals at this level become obsessed with the object of their envy, experiencing sleeplessness and actively desiring the downfall of others, even without personal advantage. This 'pure form of destructive envy' corrupts the heart, leading to sinful actions such as backbiting, slander, and fostering conflict. It blinds individuals to their own blessings and is considered spiritually perilous. The sermon suggests that envy can escalate to even more dangerous levels, potentially becoming a physical force, though these are not detailed in the provided text. The core message emphasizes that envy is not merely a fleeting negative feeling but a deep-seated spiritual sickness with potentially devastating consequences for both the individual and the community ('ummah').

“

In our daily lives, we often see hasad-envy quietly working beneath the surface-between friends, coworkers, siblings, even strangers online.