Wednesday, August 19, 2026

The Dangers of Jealousy, Show-Off and Love of Fame: Islamic Teachings on Sincerity and Leadership

Humiliation for the Show-off

Indeed there is no good in doing actions to show off. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said, “The show off will be called on the day of judgement: Oh deceiver! Oh show off! Your actions have gone to waste and you will receive no reward. Get your reward from that person who you used to perform that action for.

(Dar-ul-Mansoor, V1, P30)

In another Hadith, it is mentioned that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will say (regarding the show off), “This person did not do his actions to please me. Throw him in the fire of Hell.’

(Kitabuz Zahd war Qaiq, P153, Hadith 452)

Definition of Ghibtah (Envy)

To desire one's voice to be as good as another’s is not jealousy, rather it is called ghibtah (envy) and is permissible because in this case one does not desire the loss of the other person whereas, in Jealousy, the desire for the loss and deprivation of the other person is found and it is, therefore, not permissible.

Destruction of Jealousy

The definition of jealousy has already been mentioned, “Desiring the loss of the possession of the mahsood and attainment of it for ones self” (Lisan-ul-Arab, V3, P166). Narrations mention that a jealous person is not satisfied with the distribution of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ (Arabaeen of Imam Nawawi, P50), it is as if he is complaining, “Why has Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ given him this”. A Hadith states, “Jealousy eats away at good deeds as fire eats away at wood”.

(Ibn-e-Majah, V4, P472, Hadith 4210, Dar-ul-Ma’rifah Beirut)

Jealousy and Elections

In the days of elections, jealousy is commonly observed among the candidates of different political parties. If a candidate is unlikely to win the election, he not only desires but also makes every possible effort to degrade and disgrace his rival to get the ministry in the place of his rival. He seems prepared to commit this misdeed even by blackmailing, lying, spreading rumours, false accusations, paying voters, or using force etc. Satan will use this candidate and make him commit every minor and major sin, he does not bother about disobeying Allah and his Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and neither does he bother about the affairs of the after life, neglecting the pains of death, fear of the grave, the troubles of the day of judgement and the flames of hell, all he worries about is a temporary authority. This foolish person does not even stop to think that even if he does hurt the feelings of people, pay voters, and use all illegal means to win, how long will he maintain his position for?

Crying due to the Burden of Leadership

Listen carefully! People who are concerned about the after life regard the worldly rule as a burden. The book “Tarikhul Khulafa” mentions that the wife of Amir-ul-Mo’mineen Sayyidunā Umar bin Abdul Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه says that the day he became caliph he came home, sat on his prayer mat and began to weep until his blessed beard was soaked with tears, she asked, “Ya Ameer-ul-Mumineen, why are you crying?” He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه replied, “The burden of the whole ummah has been placed upon my shoulders, I am pondering over my responsibilities of looking after the hungry beggars, dying patients, the naked, the hungry, the oppressed prisoners, the weak old travellers, children, and all other troubled people. How will I be able to answer if held accountable? Worry about this huge burden is making me cry”.

(Tarikhul Khulafa, Urdu, P472)

Death is much more painful than being cut into pieces, boiled in a cauldron, and having the skin torn off alive; it is chasing us constantly and will certainly capture us. Remember! Death will soon lift us up from our cosy bed of our splendid home and put us into a dark grave where we will have to sleep on a bed of soil. No status will help us, no authority will save us. Ponder over the helplessness of that condition!

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ! The message of the International Non Political Propagational movement of Qur’an and Sunnah Dawat-e-Islami has reached approximately 51 countries of the world. The Madanī Qafilas of Dawat-e-Islami are spreading the blossoming message of the Sunnah everywhere. We are not part of the politics of any country and neither are we greedy for political status. Our destination is not worldly governments, in fact it is the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that we seek. We do not want leadership, we are seekers of slavery of the Supreme Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, we want the crown of dignity of the slavery of Blessed Madina, this great wealth will never vanish. By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, one who is a slave of Madina has rulers and leaders of the world at his feet.

Love of Self-Respect

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, for the sake of His Supreme Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, save us from the respect and fame gained by prohibited means. By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Greed for fame is a great calamity. The Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has warned, “Two hungry wolves let loose amongst a herd of sheep do not cause as much harm as the greed of wealth and fame causes harm to a man’s religion.”

(Musnad Imam Ahmad, V5, P350, Hadith 15784, Dar-ul-Fikr Beirut)

Entrance into Hell without Accountability

Sayyidunā Abdullah bin Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا reports that the Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said, “Six types of people will be put into Hell without accountability.” He was asked, “O Prophet of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who are they?” He replied, “(1) Leaders, due to their cruelty, (2) Arabs, due to their prejudice, (3) Tribe leaders, due to their arrogance, (4) Traders, due to fraud, (5) Villagers, due to their ignorance, (6) And scholars due to their jealousy.”

(Ittihaf-us-Sada-tul-Muttaqeen, V9, P486, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

He also warned, “A hasid, tale-teller and Kahin (fortune-teller) are not of me and I am not of them.”

(Majma’uzzawaid, V8, P173, Hadith 13126, Dar-ul-Fikr Beirut)

No comments:

Post a Comment