The Ignorance at the Root of Envy
One of the most dangerous diseases that inwardly rots human spiritual life and draws it into a hidden form of polytheism (shirk) is “envy” (kıskançlık). When a person envies the blessings given to another and desires those blessings to be taken away, he is essentially directly criticizing Allah’s decree and destiny. Abdülkadir Geylani (may Allah be pleased with him) warns the envious person in harsh terms: “When you envy his share, you fall into the greatest ignorance. Your portion will not come from you, it will not transfer to another. May Allah protect you!” The one who envies does not accept what is destined for him and finds Allah’s distribution unjust, implicitly rebelling against the eternal decree.
Contradicting Absolute Power That Bestows Blessings
Coveting worldly possessions, property, or positions that others possess is devaluing one’s own soul. Hazrat Geylani explains the situation of an envious person with a very striking analogy: “Your envy of your neighbor is like the envy of this man… who sees a king’s power, his soldiers, his relatives – and that dog stands up, sits down, barks, and is fed and strengthened with spoiled food left over from the king’s kitchen – he envies him.” While Allah has countless treasures, someone who envies the three-day perishable worldly possessions in their neighbor’s hand (spoiled food) is at the peak of foolishness and ignorance.
Extinguishing the Fire of Envy with Tawakkul
Envy not only destroys a person’s afterlife but also their peace in this world. A person can never obtain something that is not written for him through envy. The blessings given to others are for Allah to test that servant. A true believer, instead of looking at what is in the hands of another, cleanses his heart and makes his needs known only to Allah. Saying, “It is maintained because of miserliness and inferiority rather than for the sake of contentment and asceticism. Is there a more foolish and ignorant man than this in this time?” Geylani (may Allah be pleased with him) states that recovery from this disease is only possible through contentment, acceptance, and absolute tawakkul (reliance on God).