from envy, but the ignoble reveal it while the noble conceal it.”

Al-Hasan al-Basrī was asked, “Does a believer feel envy?” He replied, “How could you forget Joseph’s brothers, man? But it is a blindness within your heart; it will not harm you so long as you do not let it lead you to transgress with hand or tongue.”

Whoever finds himself envying another must counter it with mindfulness of Allah and patience, and dislike this feeling within himself. Many people who have religious commitment do not wrong the person they envy or help anyone who wrongs him. Yet neither do they fulfil their obligations towards him. If someone disparages him, they do not join in, but neither do they mention his praiseworthy qualities. Likewise, if someone praises him, they remain silent. Such people are culpable for neglecting what they have been commanded to do concerning his rights. They have failed in their duty, though they have not committed aggression against him. Their recompense is that they, too, are denied their rights: in some situations they are not treated fairly or supported against those who wrong them, just as they failed to support the person they envied. As for anyone who transgresses in word or deed, he is punished for that.

Whoever is mindful of Allah and patient, and thus does not join the wrongdoers, will benefit from his mindfulness through Allah’s help. This is what happened to Zaynab bint Jahsh—may Allah be pleased with her. Among the Prophet’s wives—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—she was the one who rivalled ‘Ā’ishah in standing. Envy among women is common and widespread, particularly among those married to the same man. A woman is jealous over her husband because of her own share in him, for sharing him means losing part of that share.