Envy & comparison

Which direction to compare in

A practical instruction about where to look.

انْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَلاَ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكُمْ فَهُوَ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ لاَ تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ

Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more fitting that you not belittle the favour of Allah upon you.

The full narration

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but don't look at those who stand at a higher level than you, for that is better-suited that you do not disparage Allah's favors. In the chain narrated by Abu Mu'awiya's he said: Upon you

Source

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim · 7430

Ṣaḥīḥ
  • Agreed upon as authentic (al-Bukhārī / Muslim)
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