What's fruit of envy: Imam Ali (PBUH) responses

Pars Today – In an era where social and economic competition can sometimes turn into envy and resentment, a saying from Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the successor of the Prophet of Islam, serves as a clear warning and guidance, urging us to reflect on our behavior and hearts.

One of humanity’s perennial ethical challenges is envy—a feeling that may seem simple on the surface but, at its core, is the root of much resentment and suffering. According to Pars Today, Imam Ali (PBUH), the successor of the Prophet, said in a short yet meaningful hadith: “The fruit of envy is suffering and misery in this world and the Hereafter.”

This statement shows that envy not only robs an individual of peace in daily life but also has consequences that extend into the Hereafter. The message of this hadith can be summarized in several practical points:

Individual harm: Envy steals mental peace, leaving a person in constant anxiety and dissatisfaction.
Social harm: Envy damages friendships and family relationships, eroding mutual trust.
Spiritual harm: Envy distances the heart from the remembrance of God, leading to ingratitude and heedlessness.
Consequences in the Hereafter: As Imam Ali (PBUH) warns, envy ultimately results in misery and deprivation in the afterlife.

This breakdown shows that envy is a root which, if left unchecked, can make worldly life bitter and also deprive a person of eternal happiness. The hadith of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) serves as a guiding light for returning to inner peace—a peace in which one chooses gratitude instead of envy, sows love instead of resentment, and follows the path of happiness in this world and the Hereafter instead of suffering.

Source of the Hadith: Ghorar al-Hikam, 4632