The purity of the heart is the foundation of happiness and contentment, as it makes a person at peace with themselves, relying on God, and free from the psychological ailments that darken the soul and disturb life. When the heart is free from envy and hypocrisy, it becomes a clear mirror that reflects tranquility and faith, allowing its owner to feel inner comfort and approach life with optimism and love. On the other hand, envy corrupts relationships and sows hatred, while hypocrisy wastes rewards and renders deeds devoid of blessings. Both weaken faith and distance one from God, placing the individual in a constant struggle with themselves and others. Therefore, purifying the heart from these afflictions is the beginning of the path to a pure spiritual life and healthy social relationships based on honesty and sincerity.
Definition of Envy and Hypocrisy and Their Dangers
What is envy? What is the difference between it and jealousy?
Envy is when a person wishes for the removal of a blessing from others, whether they have obtained it themselves or not. It is a blameworthy trait in Islam because it indicates a corrupt soul and weak faith in God's decree. Jealousy, on the other hand, is the desire to obtain a blessing similar to that of others without wishing for its removal from them, and it is permissible if it is related to good matters such as knowledge and worship. The envious person suffers from seeing blessings in others, while the one who is jealous is motivated by that to strive and work hard. Therefore, Islam teaches us to be preoccupied with thanking God for our blessings, rather than harboring resentment towards what others have, because blessings are solely in God's hands, and He distributes them as He wills with wisdom and mercy.
What is hypocrisy? How does it destroy good deeds?
Hypocrisy is performing acts of worship or good deeds with the intention of gaining the praise of people rather than for the sake of God Almighty. This disease is dangerous because it nullifies the deed and takes away its reward; God does not accept any deed unless it is purely for Him. Hypocrisy makes a person dependent on people's opinions instead of seeking God's pleasure, leading them to prioritize pleasing creation over the Creator. The Prophet peace be upon him. described hypocrisy as hidden polytheism, as it is a form of shirk in intention even if it is not shirk in worship. Among the signs of hypocrisy are the love of appearing before people and anger when not receiving praise from them. Therefore, a Muslim must continually monitor their intention and strive to conceal their deeds as much as possible to preserve their sincerity, unless there is a benefit in showing them.
The effects of envy and hypocrisy on the individual and society
Envy and hypocrisy have serious effects on both the individual and society. The envious or hypocritical person lives in constant psychological distress, finding no joy in blessings or happiness in sustenance, and their good deeds become futile. They lose confidence in themselves and become preoccupied with the lives of others instead of developing themselves. In society, envy breeds hatred and animosity, destroying the spirit of cooperation and love among people. Hypocrisy spreads deceit and false appearances, corrupting relationships and undermining values. Therefore, Islam calls for the purification of hearts, instilling sincerity, and encourages loving good for others as one loves good for oneself, to build a strong and healthy community filled with affection and compassion.
Practical steps to purify the heart from envy
Envy is a dangerous disease that infiltrates the heart, corrupting it and depriving it of peace and happiness. Therefore, purifying the heart from it is essential for anyone who wants to live with sincere faith and a sound heart. Getting rid of envy is not just about words; it requires practical steps and continuous struggle against oneself. By God's mercy, He has guided us to clear and easy means through which we can treat our hearts and purify them from this illness. In the following lines, we will review the most important practical steps that help in getting rid of envy, by God's will.
Acknowledging Envy and How to Overcome It
The first step to healing is for a person to acknowledge in their heart that they feel envy, as denial prevents healing. Then, they should start seeking forgiveness whenever they feel envious and train themselves to pray for blessings for those they envy. Over time, the heart softens and calms down. It is also advised that a person occupies their time with beneficial activities and self-development to distance themselves from negative thoughts and harmful comparisons that generate envy.
Prayer and Seeking Refuge from Envy as Mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah
Envy is one of the heart's ailments that affects the heart's peace and causes a person to live in constant tension. One of the most prominent means to help eliminate envy is through prayer and seeking refuge in God from the evil of envy. As mentioned in the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Falaq: "And from the evil of an envious one when he envies," this seeking refuge serves as a reminder for Muslims to turn to God for protection of their hearts from feelings of envy towards others. Additionally, the Prophet peace be upon him frequently prayed and sought refuge in God from envy, saying: "O Allah, bless them in their provision" or "O Allah, protect him from the evil eye" when congratulating others.
Sincere prayer is an effective means of dispelling feelings of envy, where a person can say: "O Allah, purify my heart from envy and fill it with love and sincerity." They can also pray for God to grant them contentment with His decree and to help them love for others what they love for themselves. In this way, prayer becomes a powerful means of strengthening faith and cleansing the heart from negative emotions.
Reflecting on God's blessings and expressing gratitude instead of comparing oneself to others
One of the best remedies for envy is for a person to become accustomed to counting their own blessings. Everyone has good things that others do not possess. When a person occupies themselves with recalling God's virtues upon them and expressing gratitude, their heart finds peace and they do not look at what others have with envy. Moreover, gratitude increases blessings, as stated in His words: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase your favor upon you." This fills the heart with contentment and true happiness.
Enhancing love for goodness for others and how to train oneself for that
Loving goodness for others is a sign of strong faith. One can train oneself to do this by praying for others' blessings and increases when seeing them in prosperity. Whenever a person sincerely prays for others, they feel a sense of relief in their chest. Additionally, remembering that this world is fleeting and that all favor comes from God helps to dispel jealousy and hatred. Thus, the heart becomes pure, clean, and filled with love and brotherhood.
Practical steps to avoid showing off
Showing off is a hidden affliction that corrupts deeds and wastes rewards, as its possessor appears righteous while their heart lacks sincerity. It is one of the most dangerous heart diseases because it nullifies the fruits of worship and makes a person a servant of the people's gaze instead of worshipping God. To avoid this ailment, practical steps must be taken to purify intentions and make actions purely for the sake of God Almighty. Sincerity is the secret to acceptance, and escaping showing off requires striving against oneself and continuously monitoring the heart. Below are the most important steps that help avoid showing off and establish sincerity in every action and statement.
Sincerity to God in every action and how to achieve it
Sincerity is to ensure that the action is purely for the sake of God Almighty, without seeking any worldly gains or showing off to people. It is the foundation of accepted deeds, as God Almighty said: **"And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion"** (Al-Bayyina: 5). So how can we achieve sincerity in our daily lives?
1. **Reminding oneself that Allah is aware of the hidden matters**: Whoever remembers that Allah sees him and knows what his soul conceals, this will lead him to correct his intention.
2. **Struggling with yourself to conceal acts of worship**: Such as giving charity secretly and praying in private, until the heart becomes accustomed to not waiting for people's praise.
3. **Always start your work by renewing your intention**: Before any action, ask yourself: "Is this work truly for Allah?".
4. **Beware of showing your worship in front of others**: Unless there is a legitimate benefit, such as being a good role model.
5. **Increase your supplication for Allah to purify your heart**: Such as: *"O Allah, I seek refuge with You from associating anything with You while I know, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know."*
For sincerity is not just a word to be spoken, but it is a **constant struggle of the soul**, and the more the heart is purified from hypocrisy, the closer the servant becomes to his Lord, and he attains His pleasure and the best reward.
Monitoring and renewing intention before any action
A good intention is the foundation for the acceptance of deeds; with it, an ordinary action becomes an act of worship, and without it, the reward is lost. Therefore, a Muslim must pause before every action to ask himself: "Is it for Allah or for the people?" and renew his intention, recalling the greatness of the Watcher who knows the deceit of the eyes and what the hearts conceal. Among the wisdom of the predecessors is that they used to train themselves on intention just as they trained themselves on the action itself, for recalling sincerity before and during the action fortifies the heart against hypocrisy and makes all of life a pure obedience to Allah Almighty.
Concealing Good Deeds Unless There Is a Benefit
One of the greatest signs of sincerity is the concealment of acts of worship. The predecessors preferred to hide their charity, night prayers, and tears out of fear of God, acting upon His saying: **"If you disclose your charities, they are well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you."** (Al-Baqarah: 271). However, if revealing the deed serves a legitimate purpose, such as emulating the righteous or encouraging people towards good, it is permissible to announce it, while the heart must guard against showing off. Sincerity is a secret between the servant and his Lord, and hidden worship is more effective in nurturing faith.
The Constant Reminder of the Reward of Sincerity in This World and the Hereafter
Remembering the fruits of sincerity strengthens the heart's adherence to good intentions. In this world, it brings tranquility and elevates one's status, while in the Hereafter, it is a cause for winning God's pleasure and salvation from the Fire. Allah says: **"So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."** (Al-Kahf: 110). The sincere person experiences the sweetness of faith in his heart and earns multiplied rewards on the Day of Judgment, where only pure deeds for the sake of Allah the Generous will be beneficial.
Preventive Measures to Protect the Heart Before It Becomes Ill
To protect the heart from diseases such as envy and hypocrisy, a Muslim must adopt preventive measures to avoid falling into these ailments. Thus, a person can maintain the purity of their heart and live a life filled with tranquility and contentment. Among these measures:
Good Companionship
Good companionship is one of the most important preventive measures to protect the heart from diseases such as envy and hypocrisy. Righteous friends contribute to strengthening faith and encourage good deeds. Being in the company of those who seek to please God helps to constantly remind a person of good actions and increases their motivation to draw closer to God. Additionally, good companionship keeps one away from temptations and doubts, providing the heart with peace and serenity. Therefore, it is essential to choose friends who assist you in obeying God and help you purify your heart. If you are in the company of those who remind you of God, you will find yourself more capable of resisting envy and hypocrisy.
Reading the Quran with Reflection
Reading the Quran with reflection fills the heart with light and protects it from ailments such as envy and hypocrisy. When reflecting on the verses of the Quran, a servant learns to be content with God's decree and distances himself from wishing for the removal of others' blessings. Additionally, reflecting on the meanings of sincerity protects him from hypocrisy and makes him work solely for God without expecting praise from people. Reflecting on the Quran nurtures the heart to fear God, love goodness for others, and be sincere in intention and action. Thus, a heart that lives with the meanings of the Quran is a sound and pure heart. Therefore, reflection is fundamental for continuously protecting and purifying the heart.
Remembrance of God and Constant Seeking Forgiveness
The remembrance of God and constant seeking forgiveness play a significant role in protecting the heart from ailments such as envy and hypocrisy. A heart that is engaged in the remembrance of God remains connected to its Creator, feeling His watchfulness and greatness, and does not become preoccupied with monitoring people or competing for their blessings, which protects it from envy. Moreover, frequent seeking of forgiveness nurtures the servant's humility and makes him acknowledge his weaknesses and sins, prompting him to correct his intention and purify his actions for God away from hypocrisy. The more the servant continues in remembrance and seeking forgiveness, the purer his heart becomes, and his love for God and fear of Him increases, extinguishing feelings of blameworthy jealousy and diminishing his desire for people's praise. Through the remembrance of God, the heart is purified, obedience is established, and it becomes stronger against the whispers of Satan and the ailments of the soul.
Concern for Intention Before Action
Concern for intention before action plays a significant role in protecting the heart from the diseases of envy and hypocrisy. A good intention connects the servant to God and makes their aim solely the pleasure of God, preventing them from comparing themselves to others or wishing for the removal of their blessings. Whoever intends good and acts seeking God's face protects their heart from envy because they know that grace is in God's hands, and He gives it to whom He wills. Additionally, correcting the intention before every action protects against hypocrisy, as the servant remembers that they are working for God, not for the praise of people. Constantly monitoring one's intention keeps the heart occupied with sincerity and obedience, away from the afflictions of worldly competition and the serious diseases of the heart.
Supplications and Remembrances That Help Purify the Heart
One of the greatest means that assist a Muslim in achieving a pure and clear heart is the maintenance of the supplications and remembrances found in the Holy Quran and the prophetic traditions. The Prophet peace be upon him supplicated: "O Allah, grant my soul its piety, and purify it; You are the best of those who purify it; You are its Guardian and Master." This is a great supplication that nurtures the heart towards piety and purity from its ailments. Among the Quranic supplications that protect the heart from deviation is His saying: "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy; indeed, You are the Bestower" (Al-Imran: 8), where the servant asks their Lord for steadfastness after guidance. The Sunnah also guides to supplications that fortify the heart against hardness and arrogance, such as the Prophet's peace be upon him supplication: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not humble itself, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard."
The morning and evening remembrances play a significant role in protecting the Muslim from envy and hypocrisy. Among the most important of these is reciting Ayat al-Kursi and the chapters of Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas three times each morning and evening, and saying: "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing harms in the earth or in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing" three times, as this provides comprehensive protection by God's permission. Additionally, praying for well-being, such as saying the Prophet peace be upon him: "O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth," encompasses protection for the heart and body from apparent and hidden evils. A Muslim's commitment to these supplications and remembrances daily renews their intention, increases their closeness to Allah, and fortifies them against the diseases of the heart that corrupt deeds and distance one from Allah's pleasure.
Stories and lessons from the lives of the companions and the righteous predecessors
One of the most beautiful things that strengthens the heart in sincerity and purity of intention is reflecting on the lives of the noble companions and the righteous predecessors and how they dealt with the diseases of the heart, such as envy and hypocrisy. The companions were the most diligent in ensuring the purity of their intentions, to the extent that Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you," as he feared that something might mix with his actions for other than Allah.
One of the great stories in combating envy is what was narrated by Zaid ibn Aslam, that Umar ibn al-Khattab saw a man being praised a lot in front of him, and he said: "You have destroyed the man," fearing that arrogance and hypocrisy might enter into him. The companions always advised each other not to compete in this world so that their hearts would not become stained with envy. It was reported that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say: "A believer is not one who insults, curses, is foul-mouthed, or obscene," to protect his heart and tongue from malice and envy.
As for the righteous predecessors, their sincerity reached a great level; Al-Fudayl ibn Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say: "Abandoning work for the sake of people is hypocrisy, working for the sake of people is polytheism, and sincerity is that Allah protects you from both." Some of them would hide their worship for years so that even their closest ones would not know about it. It was said that one of the predecessors would cry in his prayer at home for many years, and his wife thought he was ill due to his intense crying, not knowing that he was crying out of fear of Allah.
These situations show that the predecessors and companions lived in constant struggle against themselves, guarding their hearts from envy and hypocrisy, and maintaining complete sincerity in every word and deed. This is the secret of the righteousness of their hearts and their high status with Allah.
Indeed, the sound heart is the one that does not harbor malice or envy, nor is it overwhelmed by the desires of hypocrisy or the love of showing off. It is the heart that is sincere in its worship, relies on Allah in every matter, and is filled with pure intention that seeks only the pleasure of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, said in the Holy Quran: "On the Day when wealth and children will not benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart" (Ash-Shu'ara: 88-89), and this indicates that Paradise is the reward for those whose hearts are righteous and pure, and who are sincere to Allah in all their actions.
To have a sound heart, we must ensure to purify it from all diseases of the heart, such as envy, hypocrisy, and hatred, and always turn to Allah with supplication and seeking forgiveness. We should strive to improve our intentions in every action we perform. Following the Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him, adhering to the remembrances and supplications, along with self-monitoring, are essential means for the health of the heart and its purification from any impurities.
Let us encourage ourselves and others to hold on to the purity of the heart, for the path to Paradise begins there. Let us work to protect our hearts from everything that contaminates them, and always strive for sincerity to Allah in every word and deed, for a sound heart is the key that admits us to Paradise and makes us among its people, with Allah's permission.
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