Understanding Envy: A Negative Emotion Harmful to Both Individuals and Society
### What is Envy?
Envy refers to a person’s discontent or jealousy over what others possess. This harmful feeling can have detrimental effects on both the individual and the people around them. Driven by a malevolent desire, envy negatively impacts one’s mental and social well-being.
### Why is Envy Dangerous?
Particularly within Islamic literature, envy is considered a significant sin. The saying, “Beware of envy; for envy devours good deeds just as fire devours firewood,” highlights the dangers of this emotion. According to sources, the first sin in the heavens was Iblis’s envy of Adam, while Cain’s jealousy of Abel is perceived as the first sin on Earth.
### What is the Outcome for the Envious?
Envy is often synonymous with a love for malevolence. It is said that envious individuals fail to rejoice in others’ happiness and instead wish for misfortune upon them. The phrase “An envious person cannot be happy” illustrates the difficulties envy brings to an individual. Those consumed by envy are forced to forego happiness and peace.
### How Does Envy Affect Society?
In conclusion, envy is not only harmful to the individual but also has detrimental effects on society. Therefore, it is emphasized that to foster unity and cooperation among people, the emotion of envy must be avoided.