Islamic brief discussion notes on - Lying - Hasad - Riya - Miserliness - Hatred

2. Index
1 Hasad ~ Envy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.1 What is Hasad or Envy ? ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Proof ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.2 What is Ghibtah ?------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.3 Danger of Hasad -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.3.1 The First Sin in the Heavens -------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.3.2 The First Sin on Earth --------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1.4 The Cause of Envy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Enmity & Hatred ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Low Self-Esteem ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Pride & Arrogance ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Astonishment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Fearing of losing of One’s Own Aims --------------------------------------------------- 5
Love of Leadership & Status ------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Impurity of the Soul -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
1.5 Battling Hasad ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
2 Lying ~ Kadhib ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Not Lying -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Concept ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Proofs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
Hukm ~ Ruling -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
2.1 Relationship :: Hypocrisy [nifaq] & Lying [kadhib] ------------------------------------- 8
2.2 Types & Causes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Lying about Allah ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Lying for Profit--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Lying for Entertainment ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Lying in the Reporting of Information -------------------------------------------------- 9
2.3 Lying :: Prevention & Cure -------------------------------------------------------------- 10
2.4 Lying is Obligatory----------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
3 Riya ~ Ostentation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Definition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Proof ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11
3.1 Consequences --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
3.2 Riya is hidden Shirk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
3.3 Riya Renders good deeds null and void ------------------------------------------------ 12
3.4 Types of Riya ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
3.4.1 Riya with respect to One’s Intention ----------------------------------------------- 12
3.4.2 Riya with respect to the Essence of the Act of Worship or its Qualities ---------- 13
3.4.3 Riya with respect to the reason why someone is showing off -------------------- 13
3.5 Signs & Indications of Riya-------------------------------------------------------------- 14
3.6 Curing Riya ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14
Recognizing the presence of Riya ----------------------------------------------------- 14
Concealing Good Deeds ---------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Knowledge of the Dangers of Riya ---------------------------------------------------- 14
Questioning One’s Intention ----------------------------------------------------------- 14
4 Bukhl ~ Miserliness ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Definition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Proof ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15
4.1 Types of Bukhl --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
4.1.1 Bukhl against the Shariah ---------------------------------------------------------- 15
4.1.2 Bukh against Meritorious Character ----------------------------------------------- 15
4.2 Curing Bukhl ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
4.3 Exception -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
5 Bughd ~ Hatred -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
Disease of the Heart - II 2

3. Concept --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
The Ploy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
5.1 Preventing Hatred amongst Muslims --------------------------------------------------- 18
5.2 Curing Oneself of Hatred ---------------------------------------------------------------- 18
o Islam encourages mutual love --------------------------------------------------- 18
o Dua for the one he hates -------------------------------------------------------- 18
o Dua for Divine assistance -------------------------------------------------------- 18
o Actions that defy his hatred ----------------------------------------------------- 18
Disease of the Heart - II 3

4. 1 Hasad ~ Envy
1.1 What is Hasad or Envy ?
Hasad is the desire that a blessing, or a cause of happiness, may depart from its possessor
and become transferred to oneself.
Proof
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 90 :: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet 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!")
1.2 What is Ghibtah ?
Opposite of Hasad. A state of happiness; and of enjoyment. It is derived from the root gh-
ba-ta which means to regard him with un-envious emulation. i.e. to regard a person with a
wish for the like of his condition, of for the like of that which he attained.
1.3 Danger of Hasad
1.3.1 The First Sin in the Heavens
Iblis did not prostrate to Adam as per Allah’s commandment out of envy because he was
made of fire while Adam was made of clay. There is no place on earth where Iblis did not
worship Allah and yet his one act got him disfranchised from Allah’s Mercy.
1.3.2 The First Sin on Earth
The story of Habeel & Qabeel where Qabeel killed Habeel out of envy.
Disease of the Heart - II 4

5. 1.4 The Cause of Envy
Enmity & Hatred
o Nurtures animosity
o Makes you happy when the other person suffers
Low Self-Esteem
o Sees oneself as less significant
o Cannot tolerate peers when fortune favors them
Pride & Arrogance
o Cannot accept the other person when succeeding
o Considers the success to be unworthy for that person
Astonishment
o How can an unworthy person like that be blessed ?
Fearing of losing of One’s Own Aims
o Rivalry within a group
o Sibling rivalry
Love of Leadership & Status
o Existing leader cannot favor the notion of the
upcoming/growing leader
Impurity of the Soul
o When soul rejoices at the calamities of others and regrets
their blessings
Disease of the Heart - II 5

6. 1.5 Battling Hasad
€ Certain Knowledge
o One who envies should realize the certainty of his envy being
harmful to his/her duniya and akhira; the envied person is
not affected by his envy
€ Know :: It is a crime against oneself & one’s fellow Muslims
o One who envies is insincere and departed from the way of the
Prophets and Messengers. He/She has adopted the path of
Iblis.
€ Reflection on the harms of envy in this life
o It will result to constant grief and sadness as each time the
other person is being blessed.
€ Striving for content in the face of Allah’s decree
o Reflecting over one’s own blessings allows one to increase in
gratefulness towards Allah
€ Actions defying “natural” envy
o For natural envy it is in the best interest of the person to curb
this and to control his/her nafs.
€ Desisting from envious thoughts by engaging in good deeds
o Get busy performing dhikr and good deeds
€ Dua for the one who you envy
o Make dua for the person whom your soul envies.
€ Istiadha
o Seek refuge in Allah and make dua to remove it
Disease of the Heart - II 6

7. 2 Lying ~ Kadhib
Lying is a form of deception
Not Lying
When saying something which the present company knows is not true, it is not considered
lying as there is no deception.
Concept
Lying is a very serious sin in the sight of Allah
Proofs
Abu Dawud, Book 41, Number 4973:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amir: My mother called me one day when the Apostle of Allah
(peace_be_upon_him) was sitting in our house. She said: Come here and I shall give you
something. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) asked her: What did you intend to
give him? She replied: I intended to give him some dates. The Apostle of Allah
(peace_be_upon_him) said: If you were not to give him anything, a lie would be recorded
against you.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith (Hadith 2235)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise
for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of
Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of
Paradise for a man who made his character good.
Hukm ~ Ruling
Surah al-Nahl 16, Verse 116 – 117
“ And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is
unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah
will not succeed. [It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment. “
Disease of the Heart - II 7

8. 2.1 Relationship :: Hypocrisy [nifaq] & Lying [kadhib]
Hypocrisy is built on lying
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1 Number 33
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr: The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four
(characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four
characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up. -1.
Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. -2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. -3. Whenever
he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. -4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very
imprudent, evil and insulting manner."
Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 114
'Uqba b. Mukarram al-'Ami reported that he heard 'Ala' b. 'Abdur- Rahman narrating this
hadith with this chain of transmitters and he said: Three are the signs of a hypocrite, even if
he observed fast and prayed and asserted that he was a Muslim.
Disease of the Heart - II 8

9. 2.2 Types & Causes
Lying about Allah
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1 Number 106
Narrated `Ali: The Prophet said, "Do not tell a lie against me for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally)
then he will surely enter the Hell-fire."
Surah al-Nahl 16, Verse 116 – 117
“ And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is
unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah
will not succeed. [It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment. ”
Lying for Profit
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 20
“If both the seller and the buyer explain the good and bad points concerning the transaction
and hide nothing and give sincere advice (then they are blessed in their bargain).”
Lying for Entertainment
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2235
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise
for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of
Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of
Paradise for a man who made his character good.
Lying in the Reporting of Information
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 82
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Be mindful when transmitting a Hadith from me.
(Transmit) only that which you know (very well) for he who intentionally lies about me will
find his abode in Hell-Fire.
Disease of the Heart - II 9

10. 2.3 Lying :: Prevention & Cure
€ Increasing Remembrance of Allah
€ Know Virtues of Truthfulness
€ Fear the Punishment of Allah
€ Know the Consequences of Falsehood
€ Reflect on the Character of the Prophet
€ Realize that a lie requires further lies to cover it
€ Ist’’adha :: Seek refuge in Allah
€ Dua
€ Reprimand Oneself
2.4 Lying is Obligatory
€ To save a fellow human (specially Muslim). Best is to try to be vague.
€ Even if you saw a fellow committing Zina you take Oath by Allah and say
you did not see. This is to defend your fellow brother. Exception is the
court.
Imam al-Nawawi stated , “Even though the general rule with regards to lying is that it is
haram, it is allowed in some situations with conditions. We can summarize this as follows :
speech is a means to reach certain goals. Every praiseworthy goal that can be achieved
without lying then it is harm to lie to achieve it. If, however, this praiseworthy and
permissible goal cannot be achieved except by lying, then lying is permissible to achieve it.
Moreover if the goal desired is one that needs to be attained by way of obligation and it
cannot be achieved without lying, then lying too, becomes obligatory in order that the goal
might be achieved.”
Disease of the Heart - II 10

11. 3 Riya ~ Ostentation
Definition
This is from the third verbal form (meaning ‘to act hypocritically before others, to act in a
certain manner in order to be seen by others’) of the Arabic verb ra-a-ā and gives the
meaning of “he acted ostentatiously; he did a deed in order that men might see it” Action
otherwise for the sake of Allah.
Proof
Surah al-Nisa 4, Verse 38
Sahih International: And [also] those who spend of their wealth to be seen by the people
and believe not in Allah nor in the Last Day. And he to whom Satan is a companion – then evil
is he as a companion.
3.1 Consequences
3.2 Riya is hidden Shirk
Surah al-Bayyinah 98, Verse 5
Sahih International: And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being]
sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And
that is the correct religion.
Imam Ahmad in his Musnad
Mahmood ibn Labeed reported that the Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) said,
"The thing that I fear most for you is the minor Shirk; Riyaa"
Sunan Ibn Majah Volume. 2, #3389
Aboo Sa`eed reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) came to us
while we were talking about Dajjaal and said, "Should I not inform you of that which I fear for
you even more than the dangers of Dajjaal? It is the hidden Shirk; A person stands to pray,
and he beautifies his prayer because he seas the people looking at him."
Authenticated in Sahih al Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, no. 33
Aboo Moosaa al-Ash`aree reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam)
delivered a sermon to them one day and said, "O People! Fear this Shirk (meaning Riyaa), for
it is more inconspicuous than the crawling of an ant."
Disease of the Heart - II 11

12. 3.3 Riya Renders good deeds null and void
Surah al-Baqarah 2, Verse 264
Sahih International: O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with
reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and
does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone
upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep]
anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
€ Actions with Riya will bear testimony against the believer on the Last Day
Sunnah Abu Daud, Book 25, Number 3656
Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone acquires
knowledge of things by which Allah's good pleasure is sought, but acquires it only to get some
worldly advantage, he will not experience the arf, i.e. the odour, of Paradise.
€ The one who had Riya will be exposed and disgraced in front of all of
creation
3.4 Types of Riya
3.4.1 Riya with respect to One’s Intention
€ Intending only other than Allah
o The one who prays only when he is with others
€ Weak intention seeking Allah’s reward, real motivation is mainly from the praise of
others
o People’s presence motivates one
o Allah’s reward alone does not inspire the person to pray when he is alone
€ Desire for praise and reward are equal to each other
o Intention of reward and intention of showing off are equal.
o If one of the intention was not present he will not perform the act of worship
€ Desire for praise, Riya is less than one’s desire for reward
o Intention of showing off is less than the intention of seeking Allah’s reward
o If there were no people he would still perform the act of worship
o Ostentation alone will not produce the act of worship
Disease of the Heart - II 12

13. 3.4.2 Riya with respect to the Essence of the Act of
Worship or its Qualities
€ Riya in the essence of the acts of worship
o Riya in the essence of Iman
€ Openly exhibits Islam though there is no Iman
€ Such a person is a hypocrite
o Riya in the Obligatory acts of Worship
€ Performs obligatory Ibadah only in the presence of people
€ Focus is the pleasure of others above that of Allah
o Riya in the supererogatory acts of Worship
€ Performs only in the presence of people but when left alone only
performs obligatory prayers
€ Riya in the Outward Performance of the Act
o Displaying ostentation through a deed the abandoning of which constitutes a
deficiency in the act of worship.
€ Performs prayer regularly in a manner that makes it deficient but
improves the act to remove deficiency when people are watching
o Displaying ostentation through a deed the leaving of which does not constitute
a deficiency
€ Such as prolonging the bowing or prostration in the presence of others
o Displaying ostentation through acts which do not belong to the supererogatory
category
€ Such as arriving at the Masjid well before other people
3.4.3 Riya with respect to the reason why someone is
showing off
€ Riya in order to perform that which is Haram
o Person exhibits good deeds to get close to a woman unlawfully
€ Riya in order to attain some worldly gain
o Islamic lectures for the sake of wealth alone or other worldly gain
€ Riya for the purposes of not being through badly of
o Prays tarawih in order avoid possible social criticism
Disease of the Heart - II 13

14. 3.5 Signs & Indications of Riya
€ Laziness towards acts of worship, especially when one is on his own
o Being lazy with regards to acts of worship when one is alone. However, when
he is with others in the Masjid, for example, he find it easy to do these deeds
€ Reacting to praise
o Increasing in one’s good deeds when one is praised for them and decreasing in
them when one is not praised
3.6 Curing Riya
Recognizing the presence of Riya
o As a general rule the first step to curing any o the diseases of the heart and
soul is recognizing the presence of the disease,
Concealing Good Deeds
o One should hide his good deeds from others, specially the nafl ibadahs.
o Increase nafl ibadah while alone
Knowledge of the Dangers of Riya
o Familiarize with the knowledge of Riya.
Questioning One’s Intention
o Whenever the thought of Riya comes in the heart, try to repel by remembrance
of Allah
Disease of the Heart - II 14

15. 4 Bukhl ~ Miserliness
Contrary to generosity.
Definition
Bukhl is from root word ba-kha-la which means ‘to be or become tenacious, stingy’. Bukhl
is tenaciousness or stinginess.
Miserliness is to refuse to give something that one has acquired to someone upon request; it
is worse when the one who requests it is entitled to that thing.
Proof
Surah al-Nisa 4, Verse 37
Sahih International: Who are stingy and enjoin upon [other] people stinginess and conceal
what Allah has given them of His bounty – and We have prepared for the disbelievers a
humiliating punishment –
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1178
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Be on your guard
against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection, and
be on your guard against petty-mindedness for petty-mindedness destroyed those who were
before you, as it incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was unlawful for them.
4.1 Types of Bukhl
4.1.1 Bukhl against the Shariah
o Stops from paying Zakah
o Does not support their dependents
4.1.2 Bukh against Meritorious Character
o Does not give charity knowing the person begging has a genuine condition
Disease of the Heart - II 15

16. 4.2 Curing Bukhl
€ Generosity towards one’s fellow beings invites the generosity of Allah towards oneself
o One should remind himself that if he is generous to others, Allah will be
generous to him.
€ Avoid excessive love of this duniya
o Primary reason is that he loves that thing
€ Misers are not liked
o Every dislikes misers.
o Even the misers dislike another miser.
€ Reflect on his own possible future need
o Person should reflect that the blessings that he experiences are only from Allah,
and one day he may also find himself in need.
€ One should emulate the best of character
o All muslims should aspire to be like the Prophets
4.3 Exception
Sometime it is praiseworthy to be miserly. Example, when a wife is miserly with her
husband’s wealth when giving it in voluntary charity, as he might be harmed by the excessive
charity.
Disease of the Heart - II 16

17. 5 Bughd ~ Hatred
Concept
Surah al-Hujurat 49, Verse 10
Sahih International: The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your
brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8,.Number 99
Allah's Apostle said, "Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not
desert one another, but O Allah's worshipers! Be Brothers! And it is unlawful for a Muslim to
desert his brother Muslim (and not to talk to him) for more than three nights."
The Ploy
Sahih Muslim Hadith 1306
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) as saying: Verily ,
the Satan has lost all hopes that the worshippers would ever worship (him) in the peninsula of
Arabia, but he (is hopeful) that he would sow the seed of dissension amongst them.
Disease of the Heart - II 17

18. 5.1 Preventing Hatred amongst Muslims
€ One should avoid expressing satisfaction at another’s hardship
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 489 & 1255
Narrated Wathilah :: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Do not display
pleasure at your brother's misfortune and so have Allah showing mercy to him and
bringing misfortune to you."
€ Avoid actions That excite suspicion or doubt
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8,.Number 303 & 305
Narrated by Abdullah :: The Prophet said, "When you are three persons sitting
together, then no two of you should hold secret counsel excluding the third person
until you are with some other people too, for that would grieve him."
€ Have mutual love for each other
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2430
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a man loves his brother, he should tell
him that he loves him.
Sahih Muslim Hadith 1170
Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: A person visited his brother in another town
and Allah deputed an Angel to wait for him on his way and when he came to him he
said: Where do you intend to go? He said: I intend to go to my brother in this town.
He said: Have you done any favour to him (the repayment of which you intend to
get)? He said: No, excepting this that I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and
Glorious. Thereupon he said: I am a Messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that
Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake).
5.2 Curing Oneself of Hatred
o Islam encourages mutual love
o Dua for the one he hates
o Dua for Divine assistance
o Actions that defy his hatred
Disease of the Heart - II 18