Avoid mocking others and envy
In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah, the Lord of Majesty, has said:
O believers! Let not men mock other men, perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women mock other women, perhaps they may be better than them. This verse clearly prohibits mocking others in the Quran, explaining that mockery means saying something through words or gestures about someone that makes those who see or hear it laugh. Maintaining moderation and balance in society is essential, otherwise, it becomes prone to imbalance. Among these matters is mutual respect. As long as people do not respect each other’s appearance and character within the limits of the Sharia, they cannot live in peace and comfort. Disrespecting each other is a manifestation of mockery, which results in hatred and leads to dual attitudes and sometimes even enmity. The prohibition of mocking in the Quran and Hadith is clear; mocking a Muslim through words, gestures, or any other means for insult or delay is forbidden and sinful because it degrades a Muslim and harms his dignity. Disrespecting and causing pain to a Muslim is strictly forbidden and an act that leads to Hell. Mockery cuts the scissors of mutual respect and severs mutual relations. Living a social life comes with certain etiquettes and demands, which are essential for everyone to observe. Among these is the protection and respect of a person’s life, property, and honor. Islam is a religion that holds a person’s life, property, honor, and dignity in high esteem and does not allow anyone to harm others’ life, property, or honor and dignity. This is why Allah has forbidden any act that could potentially harm someone’s life, property, or honor. Mockery, therefore, is considered an attack on someone’s honor and dignity. Islam forbids mockery, emphasizing first that no nation should mock another nation. This command, while generally applying to both men and women, specifically repeats for women not to mock other women, highlighting the importance and clarity of this command. Mockery, by itself a bad act, has a profoundly negative impact on other members of society. If it endangers someone’s social respect, honor, and dignity, it wouldn’t be surprising if such a person, disheartened by the ignorant behavior of others, decides to withdraw from contributing to society’s betterment and welfare, causing society to lose their capabilities and talents. The fundamental cause of mockery is arrogance. When a person starts to consider themselves superior and others inferior and contemptible, they begin to highlight others’ weaknesses in public to satisfy the feeling of pride within.
Imam Fakhr al-Din Zari, may Allah have mercy on him, says that an arrogant person, when in a gathering, starts to feel inferior about himself and then begins to mock others. However, the same person, when alone and out of people’s sight, does not foster the feeling of considering himself superior, hence does not engage in mocking others. The Noble Quran has condemned this moral vice and prohibited it, and also provided a cure for it. Since arrogance and pride are the main reasons for mockery, the remedy and prescription is to avoid arrogance, meaning it is possible that those being mocked may be better in reality. A person should always keep in mind that those he deems inferior and ridicules, might actually be superior to him in the eyes of Allah because superiority in the sight of Allah is based on piety and righteousness. Unfortunately, distance from religious commandments, personal interests, linguistic, sectarian, and political grievances have fragmented our society to such an extent that today, whether on social media or in public gatherings, defaming opposing political leaders and making a mockery of their personalities is considered normal, and those mocking the opposing leaders encourage their followers to do the same. This is extremely harmful to society.
Regarding the second topic, that is, the disease of envy, envy is an internal and spiritual illness that sows the seeds of malice, hatred, and corruption in a person’s heart, causing all of his good deeds to be lost, and Allah takes away the fortune of performing righteous deeds from him. Envy is to see a blessing given by Allah to someone and wish for it to be taken away, whether one acquires it or not.
In relation to social life, the Guide of the Universe, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), has always emphasized to his Ummah to avoid envy, hatred, and other such internal and spiritual diseases, and taught to maintain unity, agreement, and brotherhood among each other. It is narrated from Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do not envy one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and be, O servants of Allah, brothers!”
It is narrated from Hazrat Zubair bin Al-Awam (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The diseases of the past nations are creeping towards you, namely envy and enmity. It shaves off, and I do not say that it shaves hair, but it shaves off the religion.”
In summary, envy, malice, and corruption are such internal and spiritual diseases that not only prevent a person from being inclined towards good deeds but also waste the good deeds previously performed, gradually distancing the person from righteous acts, sinking him into the mire of sins and transgressions, after which Allah takes away the fortune of performing good deeds from him, and he becomes incapable of performing any good deeds. The envious person is an enemy of Allah’s blessings.
On one occasion, Imam Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on him, mentions that Prophet Zakariya (عليه السلام) said that Allah says, “The envious is an enemy of My blessings, displeased with My decree, and resentful of the distribution I have made among My servants.” Envy is such a dangerous disease that a person afflicted with it, undoubtedly plays a vile role in society by spreading hatred, enmity, differences, conflicts, grievances, and distances. May Allah, in His love and satisfaction, shower His mercy upon us, purify our hearts from these diseases, Amen.
