Hasad

Hasad (Arabic: حسد), typically translated as envy or jealousy, is the feeling of resentment toward another person’s blessings with a wish that they lose or for one’s self to acquire the same blessing. The term comes from the Arabic root ḥ-s-d, and in everyday use it covers a range of envious attitudes, from discontent to malicious desire.

In Islamic thought, hasad is generally regarded as a negative trait. The Qur’an and prophetic traditions warn against envy and its harms, and Muslims are advised to seek protection from the harm of the envier and to cultivate humility, gratitude, and patience. A common supplication is to seek refuge from the evil of the envier when he envies. Some scholars distinguish between hasad and ghibtah; while hasad denotes destructive envy, ghibtah refers to admiring someone’s blessings and wishing for similar blessings for oneself, which is generally considered permissible when not accompanied by malice.

Causes and manifestations of hasad vary, including personal insecurity, social comparison, and perceived injustice. It can manifest as bitter thoughts, resentment, or actions that undermine others. If left unchecked, hasad can damage personal well-being and social harmony, fueling hostility and unkind behavior.

Coping with hasad often involves spiritual and practical strategies: practicing gratitude for one’s own blessings, praying for others’ well-being, celebrating others’ good fortune, avoiding envy-triggering comparisons, and seeking lawful means to improve one’s circumstances. In contemporary usage, hasad remains a common term for envy in discussions of ethics, psychology, and social behavior.