Jealousy

Everyone may somehow feel jealous. And it is uncontrollable. That is why it is not that bad. What is bad is when a person acts or reacts under the influence of jealousy. And this is very bad. It is this type of jealousy that a person is called to combat according to the Shari'ah and this is what is in the control of a person. Something that leads one to wish for the misfortune of the next person must be the worst thing. Jealousy blinds a person so much that he does not see anything good in the person whom he is jealous of. He is likened to a dog or a pig that enters a garden full of fruits and beautiful flowers but these do not interest it in the least. It halts by an impurity or a dirt with which it mingles.

Can a person be worthy and honourable when he acts out of jealousy? This is a question that each of us must ask ourselves. There is a lot of damage and harm that people are causing to others due to this bad behaviour.

Shaitaan was jealous of Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salam) and he tried to take him out of Jannah. And he has jealousy for the entire humanity. That is why he continued to mislead people so that no one enters Jannah. The first crime committed on earth was due to jealousy whereby Qaabil killed his brother Haabil. Thus, it is a satanic inspiration that has always devoured society from the beginning.

Most of the time, quarrels between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law also are triggered by the same bad character of jealousy. And as one knows, this causes separation between two persons who do not have any problem in themselves. Finally, it is the children who suffer the consequences. That is why one must combat this reprehensible manner at all levels with the help of those who have knowledge and experience in the field.

[English version of "La jalousie" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.5]