Khutbah: Jealousy
A short khutbah for children by Imam Ajmal Masroor about jealousy, and how to stop comparing ourselves with others, for children aged 4 to 12.
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What is Khutbah: Jealousy about?
Khutbah: Jealousy is an Islamic video for children aged 4 to 12 in which Imam Ajmal Masroor gives a short talk, like the one before the Friday prayer, about jealousy and how to stop it taking over our hearts.
The imam explains that jealousy is feeling bad about someone because they have more than us, and wishing them harm. It might be about money, clothes, looks or a bigger car. The Prophet ﷺ gave a simple cure: do not compare yourself with people who seem to have more. Think instead of people who have less. If you have two legs, think of someone who has one.
Jealousy, the imam says, only makes us weaker and unhappy, and can spoil our good deeds. Shaytan refused to prostrate to Adam (AS) out of arrogance and envy, and was thrown out. Instead, we accept ourselves as Allah made us: short or tall, black or white, curly hair or straight. Allah has made us all beautiful, and we thank Him for what He has given us. If someone does not like the way we look, we can answer calmly, "Alhamdulillah, Allah made me like this."
There is one kind of jealousy that is good: wishing we could do as well as someone who has memorised more Qur'an or done better in a test, without wishing them any harm. It pushes us to do better. The competition in life is not about who has the best things, but about who is the best person. It is a Miraj original.
What your child will learn
- Jealousy makes us unhappy and can lead us to wrong.
- Instead of comparing ourselves with those who have more, we think of those who have less.
- Allah made each of us beautiful, and we thank Him for how we are.
- Wanting to do as well as someone in good things, without wishing them harm, is good.
Where this video comes from
- Sahih Muslim 2963: Look at those below you and not at those above you, so that you do not look down on Allah's blessings to you.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 73: The only envy allowed is of two people, one given wealth who spends it rightly, and one given wisdom who acts on it and teaches it.
- Surah At-Tin 95:4: We have certainly created man in the best form.
Talk about it afterwards
- What is jealousy, and how does it make us feel?
- Who could you think of when you wish you had more?
- What do you like about the way Allah made you?
- When can wanting what someone else has be a good thing?
Words to know
- Khutbah
- A talk given by the imam, especially before the Friday prayer.
- Alhamdulillah
- All praise is for Allah; we say it to thank Him.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Khutbah: Jealousy suitable for?
Children aged 4 to 12. It is a short talk of about 6 minutes, in simple words.
Does Khutbah: Jealousy have music?
No. It is music-free.
What does Khutbah: Jealousy teach children?
Not to compare themselves with others, to be thankful for how Allah made them, and to turn jealousy into a push to do better in good things.
