💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
🗒️ Question: What advice can you give to single Muslimahs in their late thirties on dealing with married friends who frequently brag about how special the husband is because he is ridiculously generous with his money, works in the medical field or comes from another country?
📝 Answer: 1] When you, as a Muslim, firmly believe that Allah the Almighty controls everything, that whatever He Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala chose to give you nobody can take from you, and the things which bring happiness to people in life were already decreed by Allah the All-Knowing even before they were born, you wouldn't be affected at all by jealousy.
2] Whatever makes a person supposedly happy in this world could be a test from Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aa, and every trial comes with its own set of defects, distractions or difficulties. Somebody's love story shared on social media which typically arouses envy may conceal many problems, misunderstandings and tears behind the scenes. If you were to go through their journey, you probably wouldn't be able to cope with the struggles which accompany it.
Maybe Allah the Most Wise didn't bestow on you such source of joy because He knows that you don't have the capability and suitable environment to deal with its disadvantages appropriately.
3] Imagine being a kindergarten teacher while the boastful braggarts are little children enthusiastically showcasing their colorful scribbles or jigsaw puzzles they've solved. Instead of scolding them for "showing off" or feeling irrationally jealous, you'd compassionately congratulate them or act like you're impressed, without any decrease in your confidence and contentment with Allah's Qadr/Destiny.
4] If you're an actual friend, you would resist the urge to act on despicable feelings of envy. True friends mutually want each other to thrive and succeed in both worlds, whereas fake "friends" easily get envious of one another openly or secretly.
5] Whether your friend's husband is from Saudi Arabia, Africa, Singapore, Mars or Jupiter, and whether he's a wealthy CEO or Lamborghini and Ferrari driver, what actually matters, to guarantee lots of blessings in marriage life (with Allah's Will), is the niyyah/intention of both the husband and wife. Muslim spouses who genuinely get married to please Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala are more likely to be happier inwardly than couples who accept a marriage proposal for money or to embellish their public image to pacify some insecurities.
Stay contented Alhamdulillah that you're not one of those insecure individuals who intentionally go out of their way to make others jealous because they themselves envy somebody else. Understand that Maryam 'alaihas salaam, the mother of Prophet 'Isa 'alaihis salaam, was never married yet she's one of the best women in Jannah Paradise.
Your unwavering belief in Allah the Most Loving together with your sincere good deeds, not your marital status, is what's essential to be worthy of Jannah's entrance.
~•~
📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "There is no envy but in two cases: A man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it rightly (for Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala), and a man whom Allah has given wisdom (true guidance and authentic Islamic knowledge) and he judges and teaches with it."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 73
Sahih Muslim 816
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If one of you looks at those blessed over him in wealth and appearance, then let him look at those below him."
In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Do not look to those above you (in terms of worldly matters), lest you view the favors of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) as trivial."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125, Sahih Muslim 2963
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4903
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti
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