Good envy

What Islam permits in contrast to Hasad (destructive jealousy) is Ghibtah (envy that is free from malice). It means that a person neither wishes for misfortune to fall on others nor does he hate the blessings with them. He desires for similar blessings without having any ill-feeling toward others.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Envy is allowed in two cases: a man whom Allah has given the Qur'an and who recites it throughout night and day; and a man on whom Allah has bestowed wealth who gives it away night and day." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also explained what is allowed to be said: "I wish I were given what he was given and did with it what he did."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The similitude of the people of this Ummah is like that of four individuals. One whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge, so he handles his wealth with knowledge.

One whom Allah has given knowledge but not wealth, and he says, 'Lord, should I have wealth like so-and-so, I would have handled it like him.' So they both have the same reward. Such a person loves to have wealth like others so he can do good like others without wishing that others lose their wealth.

"Another man whom Allah gave wealth but no knowledge spends it in disobedience to Allah. And last, a man whom Allah has not given knowledge or wealth but who says, 'Should I have wealth like so-and-so, I would spend it in the way he does.' So, both will have the same sin against them." (Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

Source : Here