How do I deal with envy when I see other people succeed online?

The short answer

Notice the feeling without feeding it, and ask Allah for His bounty instead of wishing another person to lose theirs. The Quran warns against envy and tells people to ask Allah for what they need [1][2]; the Prophet ﷺ taught a perspective that can soften comparison [3].

Evidence 1 2 3

Explanation

Seeing another person's money, appearance or success online can stir envy. The Quran tells people not to covet what Allah has given others and instead to ask Allah for His bounty 1. It also teaches believers to seek Allah's protection from the evil of an envier when they envy 2. These verses name envy as something to guard against; they do not say that every wish to improve one's own life is sinful.

The Prophet ﷺ gave a practical way to reset comparison: when looking at someone with more in worldly matters, also look at someone with less in those matters 3. This is not permission to look down on anyone. It helps loosen the idea that a curated feed shows the whole truth about your life or theirs.

When envy appears, avoid spreading rumours or wishing harm. Make dua for the other person's good and ask Allah for your own lawful share. Consider muting accounts that repeatedly fuel bitterness. If the feeling points to a goal you value, turn it into a concrete step you can take without copying someone else's life. The texts teach protection and contentment, not a ban on ambition.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Quran An-Nisaa · 4:32

    Do not covet others' advantages; ask Allah for His bounty.

    وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوۡاْ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبُواْۖ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبۡنَۚ وَسۡـَٔلُواْ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمࣰ ا ۝٣٢

    And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing

  2. 2
    Quran Al-Falaq · 113:5

    The surah teaches seeking Allah's protection from the evil of an envier.

    وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ۝٥

    And from the evil of an envier when he envies

  3. 3
    Hadith Sahih Muslim 2963
    Sahih Muslim

    When looking at someone with more worldly advantage, also look at someone with less.

    Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in regard to wealth and physical structure he should also see one who stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things (in which he stands) at a higher level (as compared to him)

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قُتَيْبَةُ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ، يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحِزَامِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا نَظَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى مَنْ فُضِّلَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْخَلْقِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْهُ مِمَّنْ فُضِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-25

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