Jealousy In The Light Of Quran
Jealousy is a complex and destructive emotion that fills hatred, rage, aggression, feeling of insecurity and negativity in a person towards another person. Jealousy is strongly discouraged in Islam. Some of the Quranic verses on jealousy are:
Surah Al-Jathiyah, verse 17:
“And We gave them clear proofs of the matter [of religion]. And they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ”. [45:17]
Surah Ash-Shuraa, verse 14:
“And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt”. [42:14]
Surah Ali-Imran, verse 19:
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between them. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account”. [3:19]
The all of the above verses explain that jealousy is the feeling of egotism and selfishness in which a person does only care about his pleasure, and happiness. The feeling of jealousy arises by the fear and insecurity of losing the self-image or the authority one possesses.
Jealousy is not associated with the age, sex, or gender. The feeling of jealousy can strike to anyone regardless of the above mentioned factors. However there are some factors that cause jealousy, such as individual’s psychological factors or worst past experiences. Anxiety, insecurity, and fear of being replaced also highly influence the jealousy in a person.
Islam is the complete religion with the solutions of every problem whether psychological or physical; hence there are verses in the Quran guiding Muslims to not be greedy about the things and to thank Allah for what they have already got.
There is a beautiful verse of Surah Taha, verse 131, where Allah says:
“And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring”. [20:131]
In another verse of Quran Allah advice to not ask for things just to get more, rather thank Him to what He has already given because indeed He gives more a person deserves. In Surah Al-Muddaththir, verse 6 Allah says:
“And do not confer favor to acquire more”. [74:6]
Quran teaches us that how to stay away from jealousy among other harmful emotions and how to deal them in your personality. If we do not pay attention on the verses of Quran then we are unable to understand the damaging and unfavorable effects of jealousy, and this lack of understanding can ultimately lead to divisions among relationships, unappreciated behavior, and direct us to the path of non-believers.
We as Muslims need to read Quran to deal with such issues. Specifically, in regard to feeling “jealousy”, we must read Surah Al-Falak to seek refuge from this negative emotion.
Translation of Surah Al-Falak:
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak. [Quran 113:1]
"From the evils among His creations. [Quran 113:2]
"From the evils of darkness as it falls. [Quran 113:3]
"From the evils of the troublemakers. [Quran 113:4]
"From the evils of the envious when they envy." [Quran 113:5]
