Hasad? Is it Worth it?

Anas Ibn Malik (radhi allahu anhu) reported that he and other companions were sitting with the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), who said: "A man from the people of Paradise will enter now." And a man from al-Ansar entered, with his beard dripping with water from Wudhu (ablution), and holding his sandals in his left hand.

The following day, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said the same thing and the same man entered.

On the third day, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) again repeated his statement and the same man entered with water dripping and holding his sandals.

When the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) left, Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn al-As (radhi allahu anhu) followed the man and said: 'I quarreled with my father and I swore I would not go to him for three days and night. Would you shelter me for these days?' the man replied: 'Yes.'

Anas said: 'Abdullah said that he stayed with this man for three nights and he did not see him praying at night, but every time he moved and changed position in bed he would remember Allah saying, 'Allahu Akbar' Until Salat-ul-Fajr."

Abdullah said: 'I didn't hear anything from him but good. When the three nights had passed, I said: 'O slave of Allah! I really didn't abandon my father nor was I angry with him. But, I heard the Messenger of Allah speaking of you on three separate occasions, the Prophet had said that a man from the people of Paradise would enter, and you were the one to enter on all the three times. So, I wanted to stay with you to see what you do so that I could follow you. But I have not seen you doing much. So what is that you do for Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to say what he had said?'

The man replied: 'It is nothing more than what you saw.' When it was time to leave, he called me back and said: 'Yes, it is nothing more than what you saw, except that I have no place in myself for ill-intentions or Hasad towards any Muslim and what Allah has given them.' Abdullah said: 'This is what has made you deserving of the praise and this is what we cannot do." [Musnad Ahmad]

Hasad (jealousy and envy) 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. 

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) warned against envy by comparing it to fire that completely burns the wood. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood." [Abu Dawood]

 Let us reflect upon some of the causes and cures of Hasad so that we can save ourselves and purify our hearts from this disease, inshAllah!

Causes of Hasad:

1) Ingratitude and Discontentment:

Not being grateful to the blessing that Allah has given us and keeping an eye on others' blessings.

2) Arrogance:

Thinking oneself to be more deserving of the blessings which the others have.

3) Lack of Trust in Allah:

Not trusting in Allah and so not making dua to Allah for the blessings we want.

4) Lack of Self-Confidence/Self-Esteem:

Thinking ourselves incapable of earning that blessing with our efforts.

Cures of Hasad:

1) Sincere Repentance: 

Acknowledging ill-feelings or Hasad in one's heart, seeking Allah's forgiveness and work for eliminating it.

2) Be grateful for Allah's blessings:

Focus on the blessings which Allah has given us and be grateful for them.

Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah's Favour to you."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

3) Trust in Allah's decree and make dua to Allah:

Make dua to Allah swt for the blessings you want and have trust in Him that He will grant us those blessings and make situation better for us.

4) Strive for the blessing:

Have confidence in  our abilities and make efforts to acquire the blessings we want.

5) Make dua for the person for whom we may have feelings of hasad:

We should make this dua to allah whenever we feel any ill-feelings (envy, jealousy, hatred, grudge) for our brother/sister and inshAllah we will see these feelings fading away from our heart.

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيْم

 "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful." [Hashr: 10]

  

 

 

    

 

Spending in the way of Allah

O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers. [2:254]

We often underestimate the importance of charity thinking that we will give charity once we will get rich or once we will be financially stable. But who can guarantee that we will live that long. So we should give from whatever wealth Allah has given to us instead of waiting for the perfect time. 

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. [2:261]

The rewards of giving charity are unimaginable, subhanAllah! Allah multiplies the reward of our charity up to 700 times according to the above verse. So if we donate only $1 with sincere intention of pleasing Allah then Allah will reward us as if we have donated $700. So we should never belittle giving loonies and toonies in charity if this is all we can afford to give because we never know how much our charity will worth after multiplication.

But, subhanallah, Shaitan even does not let us spend a little amount in the way of Allah. We can spare hundreds of dollars for boxing day shopping but how much are we willingly take out when we have to donate to an Islamic instituition or a mosque. 

Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. [2:268]

There are many benefits of charity recorded in ahaadith:

The Prophet (s.a.w) told us that every man will be shaded by his charity on the Day of Resurrection, the day on which the sun will be brought close to people’s heads until Allah passes judgement between them.
[Narrated by Ahmad, 16882; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (r.a) that a man came to the Prophet (s.a.w) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, which charity brings a greater reward?” He said, “If you give in charity when you are healthy and miserly, fearing poverty and hoping for richness. Do not delay until you are at the point of death and you say, ‘Give this to So and so, give this to So and so,’ …”
[al-Bukhaari, 1330; Muslim, 1713].

Moreover, charity also cools Allah's anger, increases our wealth, averts calamities and results in expiation of our sins according to Ahadith.


And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah . And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged. [2:272]

We should also remember that "charity begins from home". We should spend on our parents, spouse, children, relatives and orphans. Even if our parents and relatives are rich, we should still give them gifts to express our love and concern for them. 

They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." [2:215]

Moreover, it is also very important to guard our charities. Charities are wasted by reminder of favours, hurting people and showing off. So, the best policy is to spend and forget because if we truly spend for the sake of Allah then we should not expect any appreciation or praise from people.

Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. [2:262]

Remember the purity of intention and the purity of wealth both are necessary for the acceptance of charity. The charity given from Haram earning is not accepted by Allah swt.

Also, we should look out for the opportunities of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) which will benefit us even after our death. For instance, donating in mosques and Islamic institutions where Islamic education is given is the best form of investment for Akhirah because we will get the reward of every person who will pray there or get Islamic education from there, inshAllah.

Also, wealth is not the only thing we can spend in the way of Allah. We should also spend our time, energy and efforts in the acts of righteousness and to promote the deen of Allah before it is too late.

Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned. [2:245]