Jealousy objects to Allah’s blessings
“Whatever Allah has given us, be content on it.”
Jealousy is a sinful objection to Allah’s distribution of blessings that destroys good deeds and can lead to injustice, so believers should cultivate contentment and look to those with less.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Recaps Qabil and Habil, linking the first murder to lack of taqwa and envy.
- Defines hasad as resenting another person’s blessing and objecting to Allah’s distribution.
- Explains three escalating forms of jealousy, including wishing another person’s blessing removed.
- Identifies excessive love of worldly life and grudges as major causes.
- Prescribes contentment, halal desire without craving, and looking toward those with less.
In the khateeb's words
“When we have this feeling, we are objecting on the taqdeer, the destiny of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“So we are allowed to desire and make dua. We are not allowed to crave and complain. Whatever Allah has given us, be content on it.”
“This means whenever you look upon a person who is better than you, always think about the person who is lower than you.”
For the dinner table
Imam Kashif Aziz reminded us that jealousy helped lead Qabil to kill his brother Habil, showing how deeply envy can damage our relationships. He explained that jealousy includes wanting someone else to lose a blessing Allah has given them. We can work toward good things and make dua for them while staying thankful, earning in halal ways, and respecting other people’s rights. He also explained that remembering a hurt does not make us blameworthy by itself; how we act on that feeling matters. To care for our hearts, he encouraged us to trust Allah’s distribution of blessings and remember those who have less when we feel tempted to complain.
- When someone else gets something you hoped for, how could you respond kindly?
- What blessing have you enjoyed today that you sometimes forget to thank Allah for?
- What is a goal you can work toward while appreciating what you already have?
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