Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

To whom it may concern,

thank you in advance for taking the time to respond to this letter. I do not even know if im in the right place to ask such a question but im desperatly in need of guidance. there is a women whom i work with that i know is extremly jealous of me to the point which i can actually feel her hatred. i see it in her eyes and sometimes how she speaks to me.ever since we started she has stared intently at me for many minutes at a time, which must sound so daft to you but it makes me feel so uncmfortable and bullyed even. it at one point was constant. evry single day.often times she didnt even stop when i looked away but will never directly say things to me.and often pretends to be nice when its clear to me and others she despises me. she has made small comments in the past which i know were disguised but meant to insult me. i wish i had adresed the issue when it started as now its out of hand.she thinks my silence and patience is weakness and continues. i do not sit in front of her anymore, but she still stares and makes comments, and i am just so sick of it all. i know she has been gossiping about me behind my back, with her false excuses for hating me, and at one point even seemed to have turned someone else against me who used to talk to me but has been cold since speaking with this girl. Allah knows i have been so patient as I know if I lose my temper she will win. i know that SHE is the weak one, the insecure one, the one who has allowed satan to overcome her. the odd time iv made a little remark bad back to her iv actually felt bad myslef becos im not like that. i can only imagine that she tells ppl that its the other way round as she has hinted cleverly that I may be jeolus of her. which is sick.i wonder if she even knows what shes doing to be honest. know i dont do enough good and at times have tried to make myself like her for Allahs sake but i cannot as she has caused me so much misery, and iv been nothing but respectful as i am with all. i am worried one day i will lose my temper. i am just human. to be honest i already know the right things to do but could u please re-assure me the best way to cope with this?

I feel weak as i try to pride myself on not letting anyone walk over me and am actually mad that she has got to me so much that i write this now. please help me. is there anyway also to protect myself?

Many thanks.

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Answer:

Remedy for envy jealousy

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Jealousy and envy are the instigations of the accursed Shaytaan, which he whispers into the hearts of man! Allah and His Messenger (saws) have guided the believers to control their ‘nafs’ when the Shaytaan incites them to jealousy towards the favors which Allah Subhanah has Chosen to bestow upon one amongst His creation from His Infinite and Limitless Bounty.

A believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, should know that Allah Subhanah Alone is the Creator of everything and He Alone Bestows and Distributes His Bounties and His Favors on whomever He Wills and Pleases. Jealousy is a state of the heart whereby one implies that one is displeased with the distribution of Allah Subhanah; and it does not behove a true believer to be displeased or dis-satisfied with any aspect of the Majestic Lord’s Will.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.90 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet (saws) said, "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for the others' faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah's worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!")

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4885 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Avoid jealousy, for jealousy devours good deeds just as fire devours fire-wood."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5039 Narrated by Az-Zubayr

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The disease of the people before you, namely, jealousy and hatred, has crept to you, and it is the unhappy thing. I do not say that it shaves off the hair, but it shaves off the religion."

If ever one fears the evil effects of the envy or jealousy of another, one should immediately seek refuge in their Lord Most High against any mischief which their envy or jealousy may inspire them to cause; and remain constant in the recitation of the Surah 113 Al-Falaq and Surah 114 An-Naas….it is expected that their Lord Will protect them from every harm.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chatper 113 Surah Al-Falaq verses 1-5:

1 Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn

2 From the mischief of created things;

3 From the mischief of darkness as it overspreads;

4 From the mischief of those who practice secret arts;

5 And from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan