Author: Fadhilatush Sheikh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (Hafizahullah)
Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said:
“Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is to leave what does not concern him.”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan)
Verification:
This hadith is classified as Hasan [Tirmidhi 2317]. Tirmidhi mentioned that it is Hasan. This hadith has also been narrated as mursal (with a missing link in the chain) from Ali bin Husayn (رضی اللہ عنہما). Shaykh Al-Albani (رحمہ اللہ) graded it as authentic [Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith 4839]. See also [Tuhfat al-Ashraf 9/381, 11/313].
➋ The hadith includes abstaining from pointless and futile speech as well as actions and beliefs. If a person reflects before every statement and action, considering its benefit for this world or the Hereafter, many unnecessary actions and words will automatically be avoided. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Guarding the Tongue 6475; Muslim)
From the hadith under discussion, we understand that leaving not only futile speech but also futile actions is a part of one’s good Islam. Without this, a person's Islam cannot attain its true beauty.
➌ When a person gives up unnecessary speech, actions, and beliefs, it naturally leads to avoiding those that are forbidden, disliked, or doubtful.
➍ Achieving this level of consciousness requires a state of mind where a person constantly acts as if they see Allah, or at the very least, with the awareness that Allah sees them.
This mindfulness fosters a sense of modesty before Allah, preventing engagement in trivial or purposeless activities. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) referred to this state as Ihsan (excellence in worship), and in this hadith, it is described as a mark of a person's good Islam.
➎ Some jurists engage in hypothetical questions about rulings on situations that have not yet arisen, and may never occur, considering this as a sign of scholarly excellence. However, this is a futile and purposeless endeavor, and Allah has said:
“Say, ‘I do not ask you for any reward for this, nor am I among the pretentious.’”
[Surah Sad: 38:86]
One example of such pretension is when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed:
“The one who should lead a people in prayer is the one who is most knowledgeable of the Quran among them. If they are equal in recitation, then the one who knows more about the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then the one who made hijrah earlier. If they are equal in hijrah, then the one who is older.”
(Muslim, from Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari 673)
If there had been a need for more criteria, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would have mentioned them. However, some have not been content with this and have invented further scenarios and solutions of their own, although Allah did not grant them the authority to legislate.
➏ According to this hadith, engaging in purposeless activities such as looking, listening, reading, speaking, playing, and even excessive sleep are contrary to the beauty of a person’s Islam.
Examples include reading novels, listening to songs, indulging in fiction, reading large portions of newspapers, reading useless books, playing most games such as card games, and spending more time sleeping than necessary. These are all considered pointless activities that should be avoided.
The essence of this teaching is that a Muslim should strive to focus their efforts and time on what is beneficial for their worldly life and their Hereafter, avoiding what is unproductive or distracts from their ultimate purpose. This mindful approach contributes to a more refined and excellent practice of Islam.
Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said:
“Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is to leave what does not concern him.”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan)
Verification:
This hadith is classified as Hasan [Tirmidhi 2317]. Tirmidhi mentioned that it is Hasan. This hadith has also been narrated as mursal (with a missing link in the chain) from Ali bin Husayn (رضی اللہ عنہما). Shaykh Al-Albani (رحمہ اللہ) graded it as authentic [Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith 4839]. See also [Tuhfat al-Ashraf 9/381, 11/313].
Vocabulary:
- عَنَاهُ الْاَمْرُ يَعْنُوْهُ وَيَعْنِيْهِ اَهَمَّهُ:
When a matter becomes a concern for someone, they give it special attention, making it their focus and purpose.
Key Points:
➊ This hadith is one of the concise yet comprehensive sayings (Jawami' al-Kalim) of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). It consists of few words but encompasses vast meanings.➋ The hadith includes abstaining from pointless and futile speech as well as actions and beliefs. If a person reflects before every statement and action, considering its benefit for this world or the Hereafter, many unnecessary actions and words will automatically be avoided. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Guarding the Tongue 6475; Muslim)
From the hadith under discussion, we understand that leaving not only futile speech but also futile actions is a part of one’s good Islam. Without this, a person's Islam cannot attain its true beauty.
➌ When a person gives up unnecessary speech, actions, and beliefs, it naturally leads to avoiding those that are forbidden, disliked, or doubtful.
➍ Achieving this level of consciousness requires a state of mind where a person constantly acts as if they see Allah, or at the very least, with the awareness that Allah sees them.
This mindfulness fosters a sense of modesty before Allah, preventing engagement in trivial or purposeless activities. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) referred to this state as Ihsan (excellence in worship), and in this hadith, it is described as a mark of a person's good Islam.
➎ Some jurists engage in hypothetical questions about rulings on situations that have not yet arisen, and may never occur, considering this as a sign of scholarly excellence. However, this is a futile and purposeless endeavor, and Allah has said:
“Say, ‘I do not ask you for any reward for this, nor am I among the pretentious.’”
[Surah Sad: 38:86]
One example of such pretension is when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed:
“The one who should lead a people in prayer is the one who is most knowledgeable of the Quran among them. If they are equal in recitation, then the one who knows more about the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then the one who made hijrah earlier. If they are equal in hijrah, then the one who is older.”
(Muslim, from Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari 673)
If there had been a need for more criteria, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would have mentioned them. However, some have not been content with this and have invented further scenarios and solutions of their own, although Allah did not grant them the authority to legislate.
➏ According to this hadith, engaging in purposeless activities such as looking, listening, reading, speaking, playing, and even excessive sleep are contrary to the beauty of a person’s Islam.
Examples include reading novels, listening to songs, indulging in fiction, reading large portions of newspapers, reading useless books, playing most games such as card games, and spending more time sleeping than necessary. These are all considered pointless activities that should be avoided.
The essence of this teaching is that a Muslim should strive to focus their efforts and time on what is beneficial for their worldly life and their Hereafter, avoiding what is unproductive or distracts from their ultimate purpose. This mindful approach contributes to a more refined and excellent practice of Islam.