05/09/2025
Excerpts from the Friday Sermon
At Al-Masjid Al Haram
13 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447 AH
By Sheikh Dr. Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Baleelah
Imam and Khateeb of Al-Masjid Al Haram
Envy (al-Hasad)
Indeed, among the greatest afflictions that may settle in the heart of a servant in this life—and lead to misery, pain, and torment—is envy. It is a vile description, an ugly trait, a sickly soul, and an evil state of being. Envy spoils blessings, removes goodness, and strips the mind of sound judgment. Did you not hear the saying of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ:
“Beware of envy, for it consumes good deeds just as fire consumes wood.”
Envy is a destructive disease that takes control of a person’s heart and soul. It is only made worse by the pain it causes, the grief it spreads, the constant sorrow it brings, and the endless cycle of hatred and resentment.
Envy is a dangerous and destructive ailment. Imagine how envious people lose the sweetness of faith and the delight of gratitude. They are unable to enjoy the bounties Allah has bestowed on them. The envious person is tormented by the blessings of others, seeing them as disasters upon himself. This is the height of weakness, a sign of misfortune, and evidence of ingratitude toward Allah’s decree. If the envier’s heart were sound, his chest spacious, and his soul pure, he would not care who is given or deprived, or who is favored or tested. He would not wish for others’ blessings to disappear, nor hope for calamity to befall them.
And know, dear servants of Allah, that the first sin ever committed in the heavens was envy—the envy of Iblīs towards Adam (عليه السلام) when Allah honored Adam, created him with His Hand, breathed into him of His spirit, and commanded the angels to prostrate to him. The envy of Iblīs led him to disbelief and eternal damnation. And the first sin committed on earth was also envy—the envy of the son of Adam toward his brother, which ended in murder and destruction, as Allah says:
“So his soul prompted him to kill his brother; he killed him and became among the losers.” (Surah al-Ma’idah: 30)
This is why envy is among the oldest and gravest of sins. It leads to division among the Ummah, as mentioned in the authentic hadith:
“Do not envy one another, do not inflate prices against one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and let none of you sell over the sale of another. Rather, be servants of Allah and brothers. A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he does not oppress him, forsake him, lie to him, or belittle him.” (Muslim)
And the Prophet ﷺ also said:
“By the One in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.” (Muslim)
Envy is a severe danger that corrupts the believer’s faith, diminishes his reward, and fills his life with misery. It is a door that leads to many sins and harms, both in this world and the next. The believer must protect his heart from it, guard his soul against it, and seek refuge in Allah from its evil.
So fear Allah, servants of Allah, and purify your hearts from envy. Ask Allah to bless you with contentment, and seek His bounty in permissible ways. Be pleased with Allah’s decree and be grateful for His blessings.
