Hasad: The Silent Thief of Joy

DAILYREFLECTION

That small tightening in the chest when someone else shares good news has a name: hasad or envy.

Competition admires a blessing and wants a similar good without wishing any loss for the other.

Hasad, by contrast, wants the blessing removed or a hardship sent.

And it drains the person who carries it first.

Envy is a judgment the heart issues against the distribution of Allah.

The envier does not merely dislike a person’s blessing; he says, “This should not have been given”—as if he were more fit to apportion gifts than the Lord of gifts.

Such a heart is already punished, for it turns its back on the Giver and stares at the hand that receives

From a productivity lens, envy is an attention hijacker.

One promotion, one acceptance letter, and suddenly our mental “tabs” are all open to that person.

We replay outcomes, stalk their updates, and let our worship, sleep, and preparation for the next opportunity slide.

Hours are burned, not built.

Envy may give a short burst of frantic effort but it’s toxic fuel.

You either “win” and feel hollow until a new rival appears, or you “lose” and spiral.

Either way, the work becomes about them, not Allah, not excellence.

You’re not even envying their reality—you’re envying your story of them.

You don’t see the trade-offs, late nights, or private tests.

Allah, the All-Wise, calibrates gifts and hardships with precision.

Rizq (sustenance) is allotted with the utmost care.

So know that you already have enough to take your next right step.

The treatment, as Ghazali teaches, is by knowledge and by disciplined action.

First, knowledge: fix the creed of your heart.

Blessings and tests are allotted by decree (qadr). What you covet may be a hidden burden; what you dread may be your bridge to Allah.

To envy is to imply misallocation in the giving of the One who knows you better than you know yourself. Let this awareness break the spine of complaint.

Second, contradict the ego until it obeys. If envy urges you to slander, speak praise. If it commands withdrawal, extend a kindness. Give a small gift to the one you envy, or make du‘a for their increase and protection.

Third, conceal and guard. Close the gates through which envy enters: idle scrolling, boastful company, self-display. Guard your gaze and your tongue. Reduce talk of your own blessings and your own plans; let your striving be for Allah.

Fourth, remember death. The grave makes a mockery of envy. On that day, the only “advantage” is a heart sound before its Lord. Let the inevitability of meeting Him restore proportion to your desires and dignity to your conduct.

A concise rule: when envy stirs, wrong no one. Do not undercut, do not scheme, do not repeat their faults.

Turn your face to the Giver and ask for your lawful portion with a clean heart.

REFLECT ON THIS:

When was the last time envy clouded your heart, and how might you transform that moment into a dua for someone else instead?

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DUAREQUEST

Ya Allah, protect the bond between Azhar and Sabina, and place love, mercy, and tranquility back into their hearts. Shield their marriage from the whispers of Shaytan, the harm of sihr, hasad, and every evil plot, and grant them healing, understanding, and strength to overcome these trials. Restore peace in their home and make their union a source of Your pleasure. Ameen.

^{Request a free du’a for you or the community.}

WATERMELONWATCH

• Israeli military has ordered mass evacuation of Gaza City ahead of a looming ground offensive, causing panic among residents already displaced multiple times. Hospitals are also being told to evacuate, prompting fears of catastrophic collapse of medical services.

• Global Sumud Flotilla boat bound for Gaza was reportedly struck by a drone while docked at Sidi Bou Said, though all six aboard were unharmed; Tunisian authorities deny the drone strike, attributing the damage to an internal fire. The flotilla reaffirmed its resolve to continue the mission.

• UN warns of a “narrow window” to avert famine spreading beyond Gaza City to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, as Israeli strikes intensify and humanitarian access remains severely restricted.

• Celebrated artists and entertainers from Hollywood and beyond have pledged a boycott against Israeli film institutions they view as complicit in abuses, highlighting growing global cultural solidarity.

QURANCORNER

Each day, you’ll be introduced to one of the 300 most common Qur’anic words. The Qur’an has about 77,430 words in total, all built on just 2,000 root words. By learning these frequently recurring ones, you’ll recognize 70–80% of the Qur’an’s vocabulary and begin connecting more deeply as you read.

Aṣ-Ṣalāh (ٱلصَّلَاة) - Prayer / Connection

From the root ص–ل–و/ى (ṣ-l-w), meaning connection or link, ṣalāh is more than ritual; it is the daily meeting point between servant and Lord. Five times a day, it pulls us from the noise of life back into the presence of Allah. It is the rope we hold to ascend in spirit, the anchor that steadies our hearts, and the rhythm that keeps our lives aligned with the One who gave them.