Also among such verses are the following:

Had there been no fear of consequences,
the envier’s favors to the envied would never cease.
When Allah wills a hidden virtue to be revealed,
He grants it the tongue of an envier.
Had fire not kindled what it touched,
the sweet fragrance of aloeswood would never have been known.

Definition of ghibta (praiseworthy emulation)

It is wishing to obtain a blessing without wishing that its possessor be deprived of it. It applies only to virtues and matters commended by the Sharia, such as recitation, knowledge, courage, strength, giving abundant charity, and spending in the cause of Allah.

Ibn Manzur said: “Praiseworthy emulation is to wish that one had the like of another’s blessing, without wishing that it be taken away from him.” End quote. (1) He also said: “To feel ghibta toward someone is to envy him. It has also been said that envy is to desire another’s blessing while wishing that it pass away from him, whereas praiseworthy emulation is to wish for a condition like that of the person being admired, without wanting his blessing to disappear or pass away from him. This is not envy.” (2)

It is stated in al-Misbāh al-Munīr: “Ghibta means being in a good state. It is a noun derived from the verb ghabata, which follows the conjugational pattern of daraba (‘to strike’). It is used when you wish for the like of what another has attained, without wanting him to lose it, because it has impressed you and you regard it highly. A hadith states: ‘I shall stand in a station that all those of earlier and later generations will wish they had attained.’ This is permissible, for it is not envy. If, however, you wish for him to lose it, then that is envy.” End quote. (3)

Al-Isfahānī said: “Merely wishing to receive a good like that which another has received is praiseworthy emulation. If one goes beyond wishing and strives to attain an equal or greater good, that is competitive striving.” (4)

Definition of ghill (malice) and hiqd (rancor)

Malice and rancor are synonyms of envy and carry the same meaning, although they precede envy and mark its beginning, while envy ultimately results from them. These matters are inseparable; thus envy does not arise