Perspective

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

One of the problems with our perspective is that we always think the other side is better, leading to discontentment and dissatisfaction.  That is hasad, envy, which eats up all good deeds. 

Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) said, “What are the four cursed characteristics of Iblis?  These are kibr, arrogance; hasad, jealousy; ghadhab, anger and ‘anid, stubbornness.  Arrogance is to view oneself as better than others, above the level of others.  Our egos belong to Shaythan, and these four characteristics, are characteristics of people who belong to Shaythan.  These are the four worst characteristics that one can possess.  Anyone possessing them is a follower of Shaythan.  He cannot enter Paradise and he cannot cross the Swirath.  He will fall in to the Fire.  These characteristics remove the beauty in us, making us ugly.  As long as one does not cleanse himself from these four characteristics, he cannot enter Paradise.  Therefore, Allah (s.w.t.), the Merciful, Sent us prophets to help us clean ourselves of these characteristics.”