Both are destructive feelings, but which one do you think is worse?
I don’t know about you, but I believe envy is far more harmful and destructive. It’s envy that opens the door wide to hate, but not the other way around. For example, you hate evil, but you would never envy it. Hate is a stong word which is used for limited and specific reasons or occasions — that’s how our hearts work.
Isn’t it interesting that the heart in Arabic is called Qalb which means something that constantly turns or changes? This can explain why the people or things you hate today, might be the ones you like tomorrow.
On the other hand, envy is an awful disease. It is fed by pride, grows on jealousy, and produces one rotten fruit — hate. It begins as a small, sickly plant called jealousy. One day, you notice that your colleague at college is popular and beloved by all. You start watching them, and wishing them ill. That is when the sharp thorns of envy begins to sprout on the sickly plant. Eventually, you start plotting against your colleague. By this point, the rotton fruit of hate has blossomed, bearing no goodness, and knowing no mercy.
“I want what is yours” “I am better than you” “I will destroy you” the envier whispers, and laughs out loud.
Years ago, my teacher spoke to us about the dangers of envy, describing it as a satanic trait. “Hadn’t Satan been jealous of Adam? Hadn’t he envied Adam? Hadn’t he promised to destroy Adam and all his descendants? He had, full of pride, and challenging God,” my teacher explained and advised us to strive for a positive and healthy mindset. “Instead of focusing on the others, focus on yourselves. If you admire something in others, try to create your own version of it. And, if you find things staring to lean towards envy, pray and pray and pray. God will guide you towards finding your way out.”
May your heart never know envy, and be full of love!
Amen
With hope and peace,
Nahla
Pure and Simple 
Envy is like a slow-growing weed—it starts as a tiny thought, then spreads until it chokes everything good around it. Hate burns fast like fire, but envy is patient, creeping in like a shadow, waiting for the right moment to take over. Maybe that’s why it feels more dangerous. The heart, always changing like the tides, can hold both envy and love, but only one will stay if we don’t watch carefully. This piece is a wise reminder—better to water our own garden than waste time staring over the fence. Beautiful writing with deep truth woven into every word.
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