Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 956 [Read full issue]
Jealousy
Hasad is a kind of opposition or discontent with what Allah has decreed. After all, it is Allah who bestowed that bounty upon that other person. If a person dislikes what another person has received, then, in reality, he is showing his dislike for what Allah has decreed. He is practically declaring himself a better decision maker than Allah.
Hasad also entails a number of negative psychological effects upon the jealous or envious person. The jealous person may always be in a state of anger and discontent over the bounties that others receive. This is because there is no limit to the number of bounties that Allah bestows upon others.
When one realizes all of the negative aspects of hasad and how it is clearly a sign that there is something wrong in a person's heart, especially a person who claims to be a Muslim or a believer, it is not surprising to know that, in reality, hasad and iman cannot coexist in one heart. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Iman and hasad do not gather together in the heart of a slave [of Allah]." [Al-Nasai]
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo, pp. 1030, 1031