Do not trade your faith for worldly gain or envy
Verse: 2:90
Arabic Text
بَئْسَمَا اشْتَرَوْا بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بَغْيًا أَنْ يَنْزِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِهِ فَبَاؤُوا بِغَضَبٍ عَلَىٰ غَضَبٍۖ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ
Translation
How wretched is that for which they sold themselves—that they would disbelieve in what Allah has revealed—out of envy that Allah would bestow His favor on whomever He wills of His servants. So they returned having [earned] wrath upon wrath. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating punishment.
Description
This verse advises against abandoning faith for worldly desires or envy and warns of the consequences of such actions.
Detailed Explanation
This verse from Surah Al-Baqarah warns against the grave mistake of sacrificing one's faith for the sake of worldly benefits or out of jealousy. The verse highlights how some people were willing to reject the truth revealed by Allah out of envy because they could not bear to see others receiving Allah's blessings. This attitude led to multiple consequences in the form of Allah's wrath. The verse acts as a caution to uphold faith steadfastly and to be content with Allah's wisdom in bestowing His favors upon whom He wills.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that this verse addresses those who, despite knowing the truth of the revelations, chose to reject it due to envy and arrogance. Their envy was particularly directed towards the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as they could not accept that Allah's guidance had been given to someone outside their own community. This historical context serves to remind Muslims today of the destructive nature of envy and the importance of accepting Allah's will. Instead of resenting others for their blessings, Muslims are encouraged to focus on their own faith and gratitude towards Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasized the importance of avoiding envy, as it can lead to destructive behavior. In a Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds like fire devours wood." This Hadith complements the teachings of the Quran by highlighting the spiritual damage caused by envy. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to cultivate contentment and gratitude, focusing on their relationship with Allah rather than desiring what others have.