Success is the fruit of effort, diligence and perseverance and it is a goal pursued by every ambitious individual. However, success is not always met with appreciation and encouragement; at times, it sparks jealousy and envy.
In our societies, we hear about people who started from the scratch, worked hard and sacrificed a lot to reach prestigious positions in their careers or personal lives. Yet, instead of being seen as sources of inspiration and motivation, they become targets of criticism. Some fail to view their achievements as stories to learn from, but rather as a source of annoyance or threat.
Envy often stems from comparison.
A person may feel inferior when they compare themselves with another individual. Moreover, certain societal norms reinforce these feelings by falsely suggesting that success is reserved for a particular group or that it can only be achieved through unethical means.
As is well known, envy does not only harm the successful person but also affects the envious individual and society as a whole. Instead of fostering a culture of positivity and encouragement, it spreads negative energy that hinders progress. Envy may even lead to attempts at discouragement, rumour-spreading, or unethical efforts to obstruct success.
On the other hand, a society that supports and encourages successful individuals is a healthy and progressive one because it understands that the success of an individual or an institution is a success for all.
This raises an important question: How can we change this culture?
I believe that we must cultivate within ourselves the ability to genuinely celebrate the success of others, express our happiness for them, and encourage them by recognising their achievements.
Instead of feeling envious, we should draw inspiration from successful individuals, learn from their experiences and work on improving ourselves. As individuals and institutions, we must believe that the success of one person is an asset to us all and to the nation as a whole.
Unfortunately, envy and jealousy are often more prevalent among close relatives than among strangers.
We see many success stories within families, whether in personal or professional life, yet the achievers do not receive a simple congratulatory message – even a text message, at the very least. Ironically, they often receive more appreciation from outsiders than from their own family members. Isn’t this a reflection of poor manners, selfishness and jealousy?
Islam, our noble religion, encourages us to be positive and to wish well for others.
Unfortunately, many people believe that the pillars of Islam are limited to declaring faith, praying, fasting, giving zakat and performing Haj, while they remain unaware of the remarkable moral and ethical values emphasised in the Quran and the Sunnah.
A truly successful person does not seek applause from others, but at the same time, should not fall victim to jealousy and envy.
A mature society is one that celebrates its creative individuals and turns their successes into a bridge that leads everyone towards a brighter future for both the nation and its people.
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