Minister Louis Farrakhan Speaks on
Envy:
The Mother of Murder!
[Editor�s Note: This article originally appeared
in The Final Call Print Edition on January 25, 1995.]

Of all the characteristics of human beings that are bad, envy is the worst. It is the most unredeeming and wicked of the negative characteristics of human beings.

Envy has at its root a gross and inordinate self-concept either on the side of gross inferiority or gross arrogance. A proper self-concept is vitally necessary to have a balanced and peaceful mind with contentment. However, when one has low self-esteem this self-concept breeds friction and trouble. For example, if someone comes along doing that which we believe we were the only ones qualified to do, our self-concept is threatened. This produces envy. Or, if someone believes that he or she is the best at doing a particular thing and someone comes along doing it better, our self-confidence is threatened, producing envy. Or, if someone sees another person with a gift or talent that gives that person honor, respect and wealth, which is what each of us as human beings may want in life, our self concept being threatened we develop a covetous desire for the ends that the talent brings, out of envy. And if we fail at that gift or talent, our self-concept is further threatened, turning envy into murder.

Envy is so troublesome because it causes the individual who posses it to literally grow to hate the person whom he or she envies. The end product of this hatred is the desire to murder the person that is envied. Envy makes its possessor a devil, for the possessor of envy becomes an active opponent, adversary or enemy of the person who is envied, generally without a just cause. The envier can mask envy with a smile, a warm embrace or a kiss. The envier can pretend to be the best friend of the person who is envied, seeking to learn everything that he or she can about the person that is envied to use it to bring about the destruction of that person. This is the action of a demon or devil.

History is full of the work of the envier and the fate of those who are envied. We need only look to the Genesis of the Bible to begin to see how envy forms. Cain wanted to please Allah (God) and so did Able. Both had a similar desire. Both had a similar objective. However, when Cain's offering was rejected and Able's was accepted, Cain became angry and envious with a sense of vengeance. His self-concept was threatened. He felt his offering should have been accepted, if not more so than his brother's, at least equally. However, the rejection was so painful that this created hatred and the hatred grew into murder and made it easy for Cain to slay his brother. We see this pattern continued in a fine thread from Genesis to Revelation.

When on is blessed, the blessing creates in the heart of some, envy and hatred and a desire to destroy the blessing and the blessed one.

Joseph, a beautiful human being that involved a great future for himself. Telling the dream of his great future created envy in his brothers. They went to work immediately plotting against his life. The history of Joseph is the story of every man and woman of Allah (God). It is the story of every gifted and talented one who excels to some field of endeavor. Joseph's story could be your story or mine if your life is filled with promise, causing people to admire, honor, love and respect you for your gift. The more people love, respect, honor and admire you, it produces the exact opposite in a small group whose intense hatred causes them to seek the destruction of the blessed one.

The evil of envy shows up in the history of Jesus. It is envy over his success and accomplishments, which the religious leaders of his day were unable to accomplish. The envy is what lead the Jews and Roman authorities to manipulate the envy in the heart of Judas to accomplish that which Allah (God) ordained--the betryal, trial, and crucifixion of a Just and Holy Man.

Envy was at the root of the wicked of the opponents of Prophet Muhammad. So it is today. Envy is what keeps Black leaders from uniting and coming to a common table of brotherhood seeking that which is in the best interest of our people in our quest for true, freedom, justice and equality. There have been three Summits; Three Leadership Conferences called. What is the reason for this? Why not we all come in one room to determine what is best for our people? No matter what is said as a reason, the root of that reason or excuse is the wicked characteristic of envy. Until and unless we can uproot the evil of envy, we will always be a prey in the hands of our enemies who continue to feed and create division among us by manipulating this wicked characteristic call envy.

I heard the Honorable Elijah Muhammad say one day that he knew how to get under envy, to get at the root of envy and uproot it. Unfortunately, he departed from us before telling us how this could be accomplished. I shall attempt, however, through my study of His Teachings and the Bible and Holy Qur'an to see how we can treat this terrible spiritual disease that afflicts us to such degree that is makes our future success limited and doubtful.

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught us that which Prophet Muhammad taught His followers, that we can not be considered Muslims until we love or want for ourselves.

What is it that we, individually, want for ourselves? Don�t you want the best for yourself? If your Brother or Sister has the best and you do not have it yet, should you not be happy if your brother has what you desire for yourself?

Think of everything that you want for yourself and then want it for your Brother and Sister. If you can truly desire for others what you desire for yourself you will uproot the evil of envy.

Envy is hatred of Allah (God). Envy is a subtle charge that Allah (God) is unjust and that Allah (God) has acted by the envied as he should have acted by the envier. Therefore, hatred comes up, however, we are not manifesting hatred directly against Allah (God), but it is being directed at the one whom Allah (God) appears to be blessing.

In the time of Prophet Muhammad, Allah revealed to him in the Holy Qur'an that His eyes should be cool looking at the wealth that the wicked possessed, for the righteous were very poor and Allah (God) did not want the righteous to envy the temporal wealth of the wicked. So, Allah (God) said to Prophet Muhammad, this is the wicked's portion in this life, but they will not be a part of the life and blessing of the hereafter.

Allah (God) promised the righteous the best in this world and the best in the world to come. To the righteous who do not have all the things that you desire while the wicked seem to prosper, Allah says, "let your eyes be cool." Allah (God) is not unjust and He gives to all in season and tries all by what He gives and what He withholds.

The righteous are promised wealth and this they will receive for Allah (God) is not a liar. He has Power over all things. Sometimes He blesses those among us and makes them a trial for others so that what is in our breast might be made manifest. Remember, we are not Muslims or righteous people until we love or desire for our Brother or Sister what we love and desire for ourselves.

In closing, in my judgment the two commands that Jesus gave to His followers show the true mark of the true followers of Jesus and is the medicine to uproot envy. The number one command is that we should love Allah (God) with all our heart, soul and mind. When we love Allah (God) like this, and we see His Gifts manifested in others, we glorify Him and give honor and praise to Him for what we see in our fellow man, for it is a manifestation of His Beneficence and Mercy. When I see any human being manifesting their gifts that belong to Allah (God), I fall more and more in love with our Mighty Creator. When I see men and women doing that which gains them praise, honor, and wealth, I give praise and thanks to Allah (God) for giving such wonderful gifts to that human being. I know that He has given to each of us something very unique and special. Envy deprives us of developing what Allah (God) and seeing His Greatness manifested in others and praising Him for what He has blessed others with, frees our own gifts.

Secondly, Love your neighbor or Brother as you love yourself. If we would only do this, we would uproot this malignant spiritual cancer of envy from the church, mosque, synagogue and society.

If those in leadership would follow these commands, it would produce an egalitarian society granting each human being freedom and also equality of opportunity that would allow the talents and gifts of every human being to be developed and utilized, then, Allah (God) would be glorified not only in the flowers, trees, mountains and all of His Magnificent Creation, but also He will be glorified in every human being.

Envy can be uprooted. If any of you find this evil and characteristic in yourself and you will take the medicine just prescribed in as large a dose as you can, then surely your day is not too far away when you will be able to love for your Brother or Sister what you love for yourself.

Those who develop the characteristic of humility will never have a problem with their self concept and will never be victimized by this evil characteristic of envy. In the Holy Qur'an, it is written that you can tell the righteous for they walk the earth in humbleness.

Thank you for taking the time to read and implement what you read in this article.