What is the ruling on wishing for something permissible to happen to a person who is known to be negligent in his duties, if this thing will distract him from what he is obligated to do, such as maintaining ties of kinship? And what is the ruling if it is in the long term?

Wishing for permissible things is allowed as long as the wisher does not intend to use them for something forbidden. Assuming preoccupation from obligations does not necessitate sin unless that is intended. The forbidden envy (hasad) is wishing for the removal of a blessing, whereas wishing for the like of it (ghibṭah) is permissible for worldly matters and praiseworthy for acts of obedience. Love of this world is subject to rulings depending on what it assists in.