Hasad

Hasad (envy or jealousy) is a state in which a person wishes for the deprivation of a blessing, talent or merit, real or imagined, possessed by another person.

Hasad (destructive jealousy) is among the most destructive emotions or feeling which a man may have towards his fellow human being. It causes him to wish evil for others and to be happy when misfortune befalls them. On the other hand, what Islam permits in contrast to Hasad (destructive jealousy) is Ghibtah (envy that is free from malice), which means neither loving the loss of the blessing nor hating for it to remain with the person, but desiring the same for oneself without the removal of the blessing from others.

The Prophet of Allah (SWT) said: (Beware of envy because indeed envy destroys good deeds in the same manner as fire destroys wood)
Imam al-Baqir (as) said: Verily envy destroys faith like fire destroys wood.
Allah the Almighty says in the holly Quran:
[…Or do they envy [other] people because of what Allah has
given them of His bounty?]
(Qur'an, chapter 4, verse 54)


The Causes and Motives of Hasad

Qualities in others such as certain intellectual, spiritual, and moral merits, or good and pious deeds, or outward factors such as honour, prestige and wealth can cause hasad. Also, immoral or negative traits that are imagined to be merits can be a cause of hasad. Almost all of the causes of hasad are the products of a feeling of inferiority and dejectedness. When a person perceives others to be more perfect than himself, a feeling of inferiority seizes him, which, with the help of external factors and inner propensities, generates the feeling of envy in his heart.

The scholar al-`Allamah al-Majlisi has mentioned seven causes and motives of hasad. We have listed these causes and in some cases provided examples of hasad corresponding to the cause:
�� Enmity: Hasad can be the result of enmity. For example, enmity against another family, tribe or group can cause one to envy successes they achieve.
�� The sense of one's supremacy: The hasid (one who envies) anticipates the pride of the mahsud on account of a merit mahsud enjoys. Not having the patience to put up with this pride, the hasid feels a sense of superiority and earnestly desires the loss of this merit.
�� Kibr (pride) and Wonder: The hasid high-handedly treats the person who is conferred some merit, favour, or talent, and may wonder to see a great blessing enjoyed by the object of his envy. For example, a wealthy
individual outwardly looks with disdain upon the respect enjoyed by a poor person believing that he deserves to be the recipient of such admiration.
�� Fear and Love of authority: Also, the envious man is fearful of some
hindrance on the part of the person enjoying an advantage or talent or merit that may frustrate his cherished objectives. Such fear manifests itself when one's acquiring or preserving authority over others requires that nobody should share his advantages or merits. For example, one who wishes to be re-elected as the leader of an organization may desire that no other member step forward and exhibit leadership skills such as eloquence of speech andefficiency of organization and mobilization.
�� Viciousness of nature: A human being of vicious nature does not like to see others enjoying any kind of good whatsoever. Such a person always greets news of another’s good fortune for example, in education or business, with sarcasm, pessimism, and ridicule or with other unethical tactics or conduct.

The Evil effects of Hasad

Envy is one of the deadliest diseases of the heart and it produces additional vices
such as hypocrisy, backbiting, slandering, abuse, taunting, and torturing, all of which are grave sins. This hideous condition makes the human heart so narrow and gloomy that its effects pervade the realm of one's inner and outer being. The fears and grief of the hasid revolve around the person(s) of whom he is envious.

The hasad he harbours in his heart blinds him to the virtues of the envied, and
he becomes unhappy over the blessings of God conferred upon the mahsud. The
spiritual light and the divine spark of faith which makes the human heart greater
than anything else in the world cannot go along with the darkness and
narrowness caused in it by hasad.
The heart becomes grieved and depressed, the chest narrow and suffocated, and the face grim and frowning. The more this state gains in strength, the more it diminishes the brightness of faith, while this faith is the source of his salvation in the Hereafter and the life and vigour of his
heart. Eventually this disease reduces the hasid into a helpless wretch.

�� The Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “Beware! Do not bear enmity with the blessings of Allah.” When asked about the people who bear enmity with the blessings of Allah, he (s) replied: “Those who are envious.” (Al-Mu`tazali, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol.1, p. 315)