Jealousy: The Fire That Burns Within

Once upon a time in a quiet forest, a small firefly noticed something strange—a snake was chasing it nonstop. The firefly darted through the trees, glowing softly in the night, trying to escape. It flew all night, every night, hoping the snake would stop. But the snake wouldn’t give up.

Exhausted and confused, the firefly finally gathered the courage to ask the snake:

“Brother, am I your food? Do you eat fireflies?”

The snake calmly replied,

“No, we don’t eat fireflies.”

The firefly then asked,

“Have I ever harmed you?”

Again, the snake said,

“No, not at all.”

The firefly, even more puzzled now, asked,

“Then why are you chasing me?”

And the snake answered something powerful,

“Because you shine. You give off light. And I hate that.”

This story is more than just a fable—it’s a mirror of real life. The snake’s behavior represents something we all experience or face at some point: jealousy.

What Is Jealousy, Really?

Jealousy is not just a feeling. It’s a form of silent destruction. It's the discomfort someone feels when they see someone else shine—whether through success, beauty, talent, happiness, or even inner peace. Just like the snake in the story, some people won’t be able to stand your light, not because you did anything wrong, but simply because you’re glowing and they are not.

Jealousy Exists in Humans and Animals

Interestingly, jealousy isn’t just a human emotion. A psychological experiment was once conducted on a group of mice. Each mouse was given the same task, but one mouse received a bigger reward than the others. What happened next was surprising: the other mice, though not harmed in any way, started to misbehave with the rewarded mouse.

Why?

Because of jealousy.

That one mouse didn’t cheat or do anything wrong. But the others couldn’t handle that he was treated better, even if he earned it.

Jealousy Is Darkness That Fears the Light

Just like the snake couldn't tolerate the firefly’s glow, people filled with jealousy often can’t handle someone else’s success or happiness. Jealousy is a form of darkness, and light threatens darkness. It doesn't matter whether you're kind, humble, or harmless—your light alone is enough to disturb someone who is living in shadows.

How to Protect Yourself from Jealousy

We may never know who secretly envies us. But there’s one powerful way to protect ourselves:

Be content with what Allah has written for you.

When we trust Allah’s plan and are satisfied with His blessings—even if they are small—we eliminate the root of jealousy from our own hearts. And when we live with gratitude and contentment, we stop comparing ourselves to others, and we stop attracting envy, too.

Remember, this world is nothing but a temporary test. Every person has their own destiny, their own timeline, and their own challenges. No two journeys are the same. So there’s no point in comparing or feeling jealous. What’s written for you will reach you—and no one can stop it.

A Final Prayer

May Allah protect us from the evil of jealousy, from those who wish harm without cause, and from developing jealousy in our own hearts.

May He allow our light to shine bright and never be dimmed by those who fear it.

Ameen. 🤲🏻

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