How to Overcome Hatred and Jealousy: The Path to a Sound Heart

By Mufti Imamuddin Saeedi

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ۝ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

“The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except the one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”
— Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, 26:88–89

A sound heart, known in the Quran as Qalb-e-Saleem, is the foundation of true faith. It is a heart filled with sincerity, mercy and love, and free from hatred, jealousy, malice and resentment. The strength of a person’s faith is reflected not only in acts of worship but also in the purity of the inner self and the beauty of one’s character.

What Is a Sound Heart?

A sound heart is spiritually pure and morally upright. It is free from sin, oppression, pride, hostility and envy. Such a heart remains conscious of Allah and seeks goodness for others.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was once asked about the best people. He replied that the best person is one who possesses a truthful tongue and a pure heart. When the Companions asked what a pure heart meant, he explained:

هُوَ التَّقِيُّ النَّقِيُّ، لَا إِثْمَ فِيهِ وَلَا بَغْيَ وَلَا غِلَّ وَلَا حَسَدَ

It is the heart of a God-conscious and pure person, containing no sin, injustice, malice or jealousy.

A pure heart does not rejoice at the suffering of others. It does not wish for another person’s blessings to disappear. Instead, it loves goodness for others and remains content with what Allah has granted.

The Path to Paradise

Islamic tradition tells us about a man from the Ansar who was given the glad tidings of Paradise by the Prophet ﷺ. He was not known for performing an extraordinary amount of voluntary fasting or spending entire nights in prayer.

However, he possessed one remarkable quality: every night before sleeping, he removed all hatred, deceit, malice and jealousy toward other Muslims from his heart.

This teaches us that the purification of the heart is one of the greatest acts of worship. A person may perform many outward acts of devotion, but spiritual peace cannot be achieved while the heart remains filled with resentment.

Following the Example of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a mercy to all creation. Allah says:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ

“We have not sent you except as a mercy to all the worlds.”

The Prophet ﷺ forgave those who harmed him, responded to cruelty with compassion and encouraged reconciliation instead of revenge. His heart was expanded by divine grace and became a source of mercy for humanity.

Following his example means learning to forgive people, overlook their shortcomings and remember their good qualities. Forgiveness does not make a person weak. Rather, it frees the heart from the burden of anger and creates space for peace, mercy and spiritual growth.

Hatred and Jealousy Destroy Relationships

Hatred, jealousy and resentment do not remain confined to the heart. They gradually affect speech, behaviour and relationships. They may lead to backbiting, gossip, suspicion, hostility and the breaking of family and community ties.

The Prophet ﷺ warned Muslims against suspicion because suspicion can lead to false accusations and mistrust. He instructed believers not to search for one another’s faults, envy one another, hate one another or turn away from one another. Instead, they should live as servants of Allah and as brothers and sisters.

Gatherings filled with gossip and slander poison hearts. They destroy trust, friendship and brotherhood. When people constantly discuss the faults of others, resentment spreads and communities become divided.

A believer should therefore develop a good opinion of others, avoid unnecessary judgement and look for reasonable excuses for people’s mistakes.

A Pure Heart Strengthens Society

The purification of the heart is not merely a personal spiritual practice. It also strengthens families, friendships and communities.

When people remove hatred and resentment from their hearts, society flourishes through unity, compassion and mutual support. Disputes decrease, relationships improve and the causes of hostility and violence are weakened.

Allah Almighty says:

وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

“He united their hearts. Had you spent everything on earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them. Indeed, He is Almighty, All-Wise.”

True unity cannot be purchased through wealth. It is created by Allah when people become sincere, forgiving and compassionate toward one another.

Practical Ways to Purify the Heart

To overcome hatred and jealousy, a believer should regularly examine the condition of the heart. Before going to sleep, forgive those who caused pain and ask Allah to remove resentment from within.

Avoid gatherings where people engage in backbiting, gossip and character assassination. Do not search for the faults of others, and do not spread everything you hear.

Remember the virtues of people instead of focusing only on their mistakes. Offer kind words and gifts, even to those with whom relationships have become difficult. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged the exchange of gifts because gifts increase love and remove distance between hearts.

A believer should also make sincere dua for people whom they feel jealous of. Asking Allah to increase another person’s blessings helps weaken envy and develops sincerity.

Forgiveness Is the Best Character

Preserving family ties and social relationships is an important Islamic responsibility. People inevitably make mistakes, but strong relationships survive when individuals learn to forgive and reconcile.

A believer should become a peacemaker who spreads harmony and goodwill. Instead of adding fuel to conflicts, one should work to bring hearts together.

Forgiving others does not mean approving injustice. It means refusing to allow another person’s wrongdoing to permanently control one’s heart and destroy inner peace.

Conclusion

A sound heart is one of the greatest blessings Allah grants to His servants. It is the essence of sincere faith, the key to spiritual tranquillity and the foundation of healthy relationships and a compassionate society.

Whoever purifies the heart from hatred, jealousy, malice and resentment, and adorns it with forgiveness, sincerity, mercy and love, will attain peace in this life and everlasting success in the Hereafter.

May Allah Almighty purify our hearts, protect us from hatred and jealousy, and grant us the ability to forgive, love and live according to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Ameen.