وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ 5
Translations
And from the evil of an envier when he envies."
Transliteration
wa min sharri hasdin idha hasad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah seeks refuge in Allah from the evil of the envious person when he envies. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that hasad (envy) is a grave spiritual disease where the envious person wishes to strip others of their blessings out of malice. The ayah specifically mentions 'when he envies' (idha hasad) to indicate that the danger is greatest when envy actively moves a person to harm others through evil eye, supplication against them, or sorcery.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Falaq is a Meccan surah revealed as a source of protection and refuge for believers. This ayah fits within the broader context of the surah which teaches Muslims to seek Allah's protection from various physical and spiritual harms. The mention of the envious person reflects the reality of opposition the early Muslim community faced in Mecca, where envious disbelievers wished harm upon the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Envy consumes good deeds just as fire consumes wood' (Sunan Ibn Majah, 4210). Additionally, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet commanded seeking refuge from envy, saying it is more harmful than other evils (Sunan Abu Dawud).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that envy is a destructive vice that must be consciously guarded against, and that seeking Allah's protection through sincere supplication is the most effective defense against both the envier's malice and our own susceptibility to envious feelings.