What Does the Quran Say About Envy?

In the Quran, envy is described as an emotion that is worthy of God's condemnation. With envy in one's heart, one starts to question the wisdom of Allah's blessings. One cannot feel envious towards another person without asking, "why not me?" It is not our place to question Allah's wisdom, but to have faith that Allah knows best.

“Say: ‘Verily, my Sustainer has forbidden only shameful deeds, be they open or secret, and every kind of sin, and unjustified envy, and the ascribing of divinity to others beside Him…” (7:33).

“Out of their selfish envy, many among the followers of earlier revelation would like to bring you back to denying the truth after you have attained to faith - even after the truth has become clear unto them. Nonetheless, forgive and forbear, until God shall make manifest His will: behold, God has the power to will anything (2:109).“Behold, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards one's fellow-men. And He forbids all that is shameful, and all that runs counter to reason, as well as envy. And He exhorts you repeatedly so that you might bear this in mind” (16:90).

“Vile is that false pride for which they have sold their own selves by denying the truth of what Allah has bestowed from on high, out of envy that Allah should bestow of His favor upon whomsoever He wills of His servants. Thus have they earned the burden of Allah's condemnation, over and over. And for those who deny the truth there is shameful suffering in store” (2:90).

The final chapter of the Quran leaves us with a reminder about avoiding envy.

 “Say: I see refuge with the Lord of the Dawn,

From the mischief of created things;

From the mischief of darkness as it overspreads;

From the mischief of those who practice secret arts;

And from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy” (Quran 113:1-5).

Muslims are often careful to avoid people who are envious of others, as it is believed that they may become afflicted with the "evil eye."  Muslims are recommended to attribute all blessings and good things to Allah, especially when they are enjoyed by someone else, with the words "Mashallah."  This helps remind us that all good things come from Allah, and are shared according to His will, not our own.