Ibn Rajab, one of the commentators of Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith, mentioned that this prophetic narration is a foundation of manners, behaviour and etiquette in Islam.
Ibn Rajab also quotes Imam Ibn Abi Zayd Al-Qairawani, one of the Maliki Imams, as saying that the following four hadiths set the principal concept for good manners and behaviour:
The prophetic narration being discussed in the article. “Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, ..” [Bukhari and Muslim. Refer to Hadeeth 15 of this collection]
A man said to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam: “Counsel me”. He said : ” Do not become angry”. The man repeated [his request] numerous times, and he said: “Do not become angry.” [Al-Bukhari. Refer to Hadith 16 of this collection]
“None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
[Al-Bukhari. Refer to Hadith 13 of this collection] This prophetic narration states that a believer should avoid things that are of no concern to him. They are of no benefit to this mundane life nor to the hereafter, in terms of belief, speech or actions. In justifying this point, the Maliki jurist Imam Ibn Al-Arabi said that a person is not able to take care of all the necessary matters, why would he then get himself involved in the unnecessary matters that are of no real concern.
Jamaluddin Zarabozo, one of those contemporary commentators of Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadith, emphasizes that Islam protects society as a whole from any kind of harm. Much of the harm inflicted on the society are due to people indulging in the unnecessary matters such as meddling into the affairs of others when one has no right or responsibility over the particular issue. These types of practices normally result in great evil in the society. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, recommended a means to avoid societal problems.
He also commented that a believer should train him/herself to focus and to be involved in the beneficial matters so that this in itself will be the person’s attitude. Do not waste time, money and effort in things that are of no benefit in this transitory life and the hereafter.
Putting the prophetic narration in a different way, part of the perfection of faith (iman) of a believer is to be concerned with matters that are beneficial in this life and the hereafter. This is emphasized by another prophetic narration:
“Be keen with what is beneficial to you, and seek help from Allah – do not be reckless.”
[Tirmidhi]
Muslims have enough matters of concern to the extent one may not have the luxury of time to deal with all of them. This is related to the issue of time management, whereby we need to be more focused with matters that are of concern to us. An important question related to this prophetic narration is what are the things to be of concern to a true believer? Answering this question will enable us to practice this prophetic narration in the right manner.
One of the things that are of concern is to fulfill the obligations (wajib), to perform as much as our capabilties allow us of the recommended or preferable acts (mandub), to avoid the forbidden (haram) and to avoid as much as we can of the makruh (those that are disliked).
Fard-a’yn, an individual obligation, are issues of concern to every one of us. Instances are matters like worship and supplication.