Translation: [ Envy has two types. If one of us saw a favor granted to a person and aspired for it without developing any evil. intention to that person, this is not envy because one does not long for removing that blessing from that person.
Translation: In light of this, we should understand the Hadith that says:
Translation: Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'oud; ' The Prophet said: " There is no envy except in two things; a man whom Allah has given wealth, so he spent it in supporting truth and a man whom Allah has given knowledge, so he acts according to it and teaches it to others. "
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ explained this in the other narrative of Abu-Kabsha Al-Anmari who said;
Translation: Narrated Abu-Kabsha Al-Anmari; " The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “ The parable of this nation is similar to four men; a man that was given knowledge and wealth. Thus, he spends that wealth according to his knowledge. A man that was given knowledge not wealth and thus, he said; ' If I had money I would behave like that one. Their reward is equal. A man that was given wealth but not knowledge, and thus, he spends that wealth for acts of disobedience. And a man that was given neither knowledge nor wealth and thus, he said: ' If I had money I would spend it this way (like he who spends his wealth for acts of disobedience), they are equal in sin. "
The Messenger of Allah praised the first person for merely longing to have the same favor and for spending that wealth for acts of obedience. He dispraised the oth er for longing to do acts of disobedience not for longing to have the same favor. Thus, there is no harm in longing for blessings like those of others as long as one does not long for its removal from them.
Envy is prohibited if one transgresses the limitsby longing and planning for removing of the blessing from a particular person. This is the prohibited envy that we should avoid and shun.]
Now let us read what Imam Al-Nawawi compiled in the same concern.
Translation: 866. Narrated Abu-Huraira; ' Allah's Messenger said: " Avoid envy, for envy devours the good deeds just as fire devours firewood. " (Abu-Dawood reported it). Ibn Maja compiled a narratinve similar to the aforesaid Hadith from the Hadith of Anas