Shaykh Mawlana Mohammed Maseehullah Khan (may Allah ahve mercy on him) said,
Generally the basis of envying (hasad) is arrogance (kibr) and pretentiousness (ghuroor).
It is without any valid reason an individual seeks to withhold the bounties of Allah. He desires (at times consciously and at times subconsciously) that like himself, Allah too should restrict His bounties.
Envy is a malady of the heart.
It is harmful to both one’s spiritual life and worldly life.
The harm to man’s spiritual life is the elimination of his good deeds and becoming a victim of Allah’s wrath. Our beloved Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) said:
“Envying devours good deeds like fire consumes wood.”
The harm to his worldly life (dunyaa) is the frustration and worry which perpetually afflicts the envious person. He is consumed by frustration caused by hasad for another whose disgrace and fall he always anticipates. In this way the haasid destroys his Here-after. This is in addition to elimination of his worldly comfort and peace of mind.
Its remedy is by excessively praising the envied person.
One should praise, honour and meet him with extreme respect and humility, no matter how difficult this may seem.
Shariat wa Tasawwuf
