Assalamu-alaykum. I was in big brother mode again.

It was Amina’s ‘show n tell’ at school so she took her favourite Barbie doll.When she came home she was really upset. I asked her how her ‘show n tell’ went. She started crying and said, “It’s not fair.”

She continued, “All my friends have the new Bratz dolls and I have this silly Barbie doll!”I told her, “Don't worry Sis, I’m sure there is more to life than just toys and dolls!” She started crying more and went in a  huff with me.

I explained to her that we should never be jealous of what Allah has given other people. We should think about kids who don’t have any toys.Always thank Allah for all his blessings and never be jealous of other people’s things PENPAL

Jealousy and envy are two faults that a Muslim should never have. These are a kind of illness which needs to be removed from our hearts and lives.

When we become jealous of worldly things, it can cause us to behave wrongly. Allah has given us many blessings (health, family, wealth and comfort). Allah has given some people more than others and by these things Allah will test them. 

Abu Huraira narrates that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, “Beware of jealousy because it destroys good deeds, the way fire destroys wood.”

We can only be envious of people in religion. For example, if a person is more pious, knowledgeable or generous than us. We should also wish to have these good qualities.

Yusuf (as) was such a beautiful child. His father, Yaqub (as), loved him so much and was extremely fond of him. Yaqub (as) would treat all his sons equally but still had a special place for Yusuf (as). His father loved him dearly and took extra care in looking after Yusuf (as).

When Yusuf (as) was still a youngster, he had a dream in which the sun, moon and eleven stars were bowing down before him. When Yusuf (as) told his father, his father asked him not to relate this dream to his brothers

Yaqub (as) knew that his other brothers were jealous of Yusuf and he did not want this jealousy to increase. This dream meant that Yusuf’s (as) eleven brothers would one day bow down to him when they grow up.

As it so happened, the brothers were very jealous of Yusuf (as) and planning to get rid of Yusuf (as). One day, they asked Yaqub (as) if they could take Yusuf (as) with them when they went out to play. Yaqub (as) was very reluctant but finally Yaqub (as) agreed because of their insistence.

When they were playing, the brothers took Yusuf and they threw him inside a well. They took his shirt, coloured it with blood and returned home. They showed Yaqub the shirt and said that a wild wolf had attacked and killed Yusuf (as).

The jealousy of the brothers had caused  them to commit such an evil action. However, Allah saved Yusuf (as) and later he became the Wazeer of Egypt. There was a great famine and the brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They met Yusuf (as) a few times but did not recognise him. They respected and honoured him.

Eventually, Yusuf told them who he was and the whole family was united. Yusuf (as) forgave his brother for their evil action.

Allah is the All-Knowing which means that he knows everything a person says and does. Even more than this, Allah knows our most secret thoughts and every thing which is in our hearts.

Allah knows this about every single person and animal on the face of this earth.

Assalamu-alaykum, jealousy and envy are two emotions which can cause people to behave unjustly.  If we are jealous of someone’s toy, we may want to break that toy or take it from them. Islam warns us about jealousy and teaches us to remove it from our hearts. PP

The Prophet (pbuh) never had jealousy or envy towards anyone or anything.

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