Riyad as-Salihin - On the prohibition against envy

Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)

by Imam Nawawi

270. Chapter: On the prohibition against envy

Envy (hasad) is to wish that someone with a blessing should lose it, whether it is in the deen or this world. Allah Almighty says, "Or do they in fact envy other people for the bounty Allah has granted them?" (W4:43; H4:54) The hadith from Anas in the previous chapter deals with it.

1569. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Beware of envy. Envy devours good actions as fire devours wood." (or he said, "dry grass"). [Abu Dawud]