Envy; A Moral Vice that Led to First Fratricide
Envy is among the first vices plaguing the children of Adam and it continues to cause damage after centuries.
Envy means getting upset for a favor that God has given another person. In some cases envy causes one to want the favor to be taken away from that person and in other cases it makes him take action to remove that favor from that person.
Envy has been mentioned in several stories in the Quran, including those about Abel and Cain (sons of Adam), Prophet Joseph (AS), and Prophet Muhammad (AS).
Envy is among the sins that God describes as a source of corruption in the world and orders the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to take refuge with God from the evil of the envier when he envies. (Surah Al-Falaq)
When one falls into the trap of envy, it will set the ground for more sins. A envious person slanders, gossips, and does everything to make sure the favor granted to another person is taken away from him. That is why the Infallible Imams have described envy as the source and origin of vices.
