Q: What are some reasons behind someone feeling jealous so easily? And how can one change their mind to gratitude and self-satisfaction?
If someone continously feels jealousy unintentionally when they are trying to remove it repeatedly, and they still feel heart hardening, is this still jealousy? I feel it severely maybe because of arrogance or wanting praise and recognition.
Is there any difference between envy and jealousy in Islam?
A: The definition of jealousy is to long for the loss of the next person; you aspire and rejoice at his loss. The remedy is that it is absolute stupidity and naive to be jealous. The reason is that all bounties are apportioned by Allah Ta`ala and no person has a right in apportioning favours. Hence, if you are hurt on account of the favours that another person is enjoying then it would amount to you questioning divine decree. Allah Ta`ala knows why a certain person is blessed with a particular type of bounty. You do not need to know about it nor does anybody need to know why. It is His word and His creation. He gives and takes away as He pleases.
Secondly, you should also think that you enjoy many favours which others do not enjoy. You have a home, you eat and sleep well, and all the organs in your body function well. Many don't have homes, cannot eat well, cannot enjoy their sleep and are sick. Hence, you are also favoured more than those who are less privileged.
The thoughts of jealousy are not sins. These thoughts come on their own. You are not answerable for what comes on their own. Always ensure that you do not act on the demands of jealousy.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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