After explaining Sooratul Iklaas and al-Muawwidhatayn (Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah an-Naas) Shaykh Fawzaan was asked a question regarding envy and the envious person.

Questioner: You mentioned – Allah preserve you – that the envier only harms himself and his envy does not prevent the blessings of Allah for the one who is envied; the question is, why did Allah command us with seeking refuge from the envier if he harms himself?

Shaykh: Because he is afflicted with anxiety and distress more than the the envied one is afflicted, he is afflicted with anxiety and extreme sorrow more than the person who is envied.

Shaykh bin Baz said(1):It has come in the hadeeth that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said,

“Be warned of envy, for indeed envy devours good deeds, just as fire devours wood” (2)

Shaykh bin Baz (Allah have mercy upon him) continues, “Therefore envy is harmful and evil, however it begins with the envier and harms him before anyone else.

Fawzaan’s audio lessons entitled “Majaalis fee Tafseer al-Mufassal” recording 114

(1) Shaykh’s Official Website

(2) Sunan Abu Dawood 4903)