and Islam, when envy concerning what is good is permissible?

We reply: Envy—or commendable emulation—here means wishing to obtain a blessing, whether Islam, knowledge, or righteous deeds, without wishing that it be taken away from its possessor. Subject to this qualification, it is praiseworthy. This condition, however, is absent among the Jews. They wish that the Muslims would be deprived of the blessing of Islam, and they wish that prophethood had never arisen among the Arabs at all. This is shown by Allah Most High’s words: “Many of the People of the Book wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy.” Thus, they wish for the Muslims’ apostasy from Islam—Allah forbid. This qualification distinguishes praiseworthy emulation from blameworthy envy. Allah Most High knows best.

• … Allah Most High also says: “Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? We indeed gave the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom, and We gave them a mighty dominion.” (Al-Nisā’—verse 54) Ibn Kathīr said: “By this He means their envy of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—for the tremendous prophethood Allah had granted him. Their envy of him, because he was an Arab and not one of the Children of Israel, prevented them from believing him.” End quote. (1)

• Allah Most High says: “When they both offered a sacrifice, it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. The latter said, ‘I will surely kill you.’ The former replied, ‘Allah accepts only from those who fear Him.’” (Al-Mā’ida—verse 27).

Ibn Kathīr said: “Allah Most High explains the consequences of transgression, envy, and wrongdoing through the account of Adam’s two direct sons (according to the majority)—Cain and Abel—and how one attacked and killed the other out of transgression and envy over the blessing Allah had bestowed upon him and the acceptance of the sacrifice he had sincerely offered to Allah, Mighty and Majestic. The victim thus triumphed by being relieved of sins and entering Paradise, while the murderer failed and came away with a losing bargain in both worlds.” End quote. (2)

• Allah Most High says: “When Joseph said to his father, ‘My dear father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun and the moon—I saw them prostrating themselves before me.’ He said, ‘My dear son, do not relate your dream to your brothers, lest they devise a plot against you. Satan is indeed a manifest enemy to man.’” (Sūrat Yūsuf, peace be upon him—verses 4–5).