ENVY IS PERMISSIBLE IN TWO CASES
ENVY IS PERMISSIBLE IN TWO CASES
The Prophet (saw) said,
“Do not wish for the likes of anyone except two:
A man upon whom Allah bestowed knowledge of the Book [The Qur’an], who stands up [in Salah (prayer)] and recites it during the hours of the night and
A man upon whom Allah bestowed wealth, and he spends it in charity during the hours of the night and the hours of the day”
- Al-Bukhary in Kitab Fada’il Al-Quran (book on the virtue of the Quran) no. 5025 || Muslim in Kitab Salat Al-Musafirin (book on the prayer of the Travelers) 815/266
The Prophet (saw) also said concerning the person who sees another spending his money according to the prescriptions of Allah and says, “If I had money, I would have spent it in the same way he spends it, “that he would be given an equal reward”
- At-Tirmidhy in Kitab Az-Zuhd (book of Asceticism) no 2325
However, one should not aspire to worldly pleasures. This is shown in the following Qu’ranic verse, in which Allah says,
- Surat Al-Qasas (The Stories) 28:79-80
[Which means]
“So he came out before his people in his adornment. Those who desired the worldly life said, “Oh, would that we had like what was given to Qarun. Indeed, he is one of great fortune.”
“But those who had been given knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient.”
- Surat Al-Qasas (The Stories) 28:79-80
