Fatwa ID: 07789

 

 

Written by Alimah Saniyah bint Asrar

 

 

Question

 

 

Assalamu alaykum

 

 

I am considering applying for a fully funded scholarship abroad, which I believe is a great opportunity for my future. However, no one in my current institute has thought about applying abroad while I have been considering this for a long time. I have a friend, and I was wondering if I should tell her about this opportunity and encourage her to apply as well. My concern is that if I tell her and her parents do not allow her to apply, or if her application gets rejected, it might lead to feelings of jealousy and hasad (envy) on her part.

 

 

Additionally, I am uncertain about my chances of acceptance, and this makes me wary of mentioning it beforehand, as I fear the possibility of nazr (evil eye). I find myself stuck between wanting to share this beneficial opportunity with my friend and the desire to keep our relationship positive while avoiding any potential negative feelings (such as hasad, nazr and jealousy).

 

 

What should I do in this situation according to Islamic teachings?

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

 

Answer:

 

 

Wa alaykum assalam,

 

 

Your intention to share this opportunity with your friend is commendable and aligns with the teachings of our Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”(Sahih Muslim)

 

 

Your concern about potential feelings of jealousy, hasad, or the possibility of the evil eye (nazr) is understandable. Islam encourages both generosity and caution. Here are a few steps you can take to navigate this situation:

 

 1. Share with Discretion: If you feel hesitant to disclose that you are applying as well, you can share the information with your friend in a general manner. Mention that you came across this scholarship opportunity and thought it might be of interest to her, without specifying your own application.

 

 2. Recite Protective Duas: To protect yourself from the potential effects of hasad or the evil eye, recite the protective supplications regularly, such as Ayat al-Kursi and Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas. 

 

 3. Trust in Allah: Ultimately, place your trust in Allah. If your intention is pure and you are sharing something beneficial with good intentions, have confidence that Allah will not allow it to be a source of harm for you. Remember that all outcomes are in His hands, and He is the best Protector.

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Saniyah bint Asrar

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

References

 

 

شرح الأربعين النووية لعطية سالم ٣٦/‏٢ 

شرح حديث: (لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه ومن والاه.

وبعد: [عن أنس ﵁ أن النبي ﷺ قال: (لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه) متفق عليه] .

هذا الحديث من جوامع كلمه ﷺ، والحديث الذي قبله يبين حسن الإسلام، والإسلام هو: النطق بالشهادتين، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، وصوم رمضان، وحج البيت لمن استطاع إليه سبيلًا، من محاسنه: ترك ما لا يعني، والبر، وحسن الخلق، وأشياء أخرى متعددة

 

 

شرح سنن ابن ماجة – الراجحي ٤/‏١٠ 

شرح حديث: (لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه)

قال المؤلف رحمه الله تعالى: [حدثنا محمد بن بشار ومحمد بن المثنى قالا: حدثنا محمد بن جعفر حدثنا شعبة قال: سمعت قتادة يحدث عن أنس بن مالك أن رسول الله ﷺ قال: (لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه –أو قال: لجاره– ما يحب لنفسه)].

هذا الحديث صحيح رواه الشيخان – البخاري ومسلم – رحمهما الله، وهو دليل على وجوب أن يحب كل شخص لأخيه ما يحبه لنفسه من الخير، فقوله: (لا يؤمن أحدكم) يعني: لا يؤمن الإيمان الواجب الذي تبرأ به ذمته (حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه)، فإذا كنت تحب لنفسك الخير وأن يرزقك الله، ويوفقك للعلم فأحب لأخيك ذلك، وإذا كنت تحب لنفسك أن يرزقك الله مالًا حلالًا فأحب لأخيك ذلك، وإذا كنت تحب لنفسك أن يرزقك الله زوجة صالحة فأحب هذا لأخيك، ومن لم يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه فإيمانه ناقص ولم يأت بالإيمان الواجب..