Hadiths 12 to 15: what does not concern us, the brother, life and speech

Hadith 12: leaving what does not concern us From Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: مِنْ حُسْنِ إِسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ "Part of the beauty of a person's Islam is his leaving what does not concern him." Source: At-Tirmidhi 2317 and Ibn Maaja [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]. An-Nawawi grades it "ḥasan"; Ibn Rajab reports that several great imams consider it transmitted without a companion (mursal), from 'Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn [À VÉRIFIER : degré].

The commentary • "What does not concern him": Ibn Rajab explains that it is what is not useful for one's religion nor for one's lawful life in this world, in words, looks, listening and thoughts. The criterion is not desire, but the law. • The "beauty of Islam" (ḥusn al-islaam): an Islam that goes beyond the minimum, close to the iḥsaan of hadith 2. Whoever knows that Allah sees him naturally leaves what is useless. • Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaani said that all good manners derive from four hadiths: "Let him speak good or keep silent" (15), "Part of the beauty of Islam…" (12), "Do not become angry" (16) and "None of you truly believes…" (13). Ibn Rajab quotes this saying.

In daily life • Social media, rumours, other people's private lives: ask yourself "Does this concern me?". • The time saved from what is useless is given to family, to the Qur'an, to work done well.

Hadith 13: loving for one's brother what one loves for oneself From Abu Ḥamza Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: the Prophet ﷺ said: لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." Source: Bukhari 13 and Muslim 45.

The commentary • "Truly believes": An-Nawawi and Ibn Daqiiq al-'Iid explain that this is complete faith, not faith itself; whoever falls short of it has not left Islam, but his faith is diminished. • "His brother": in a version of Muslim, "his brother, or he said: his neighbour". Some scholars extended the meaning to every human being: wishing for the non-Muslim the guidance one loves for oneself [À VÉRIFIER : formulation]. • Ibn Rajab shows that this hadith presupposes a heart freed from envy (al-ḥasad): the envious suffers from the good of others, the believer rejoices in it. The reverse too: hating for one's brother the harm one hates for oneself. • This does not mean giving up everything: one may seek a place, a post or a lawful good; the hadith asks one not to wish that the other be deprived of it.

In daily life • At work, in the family, among neighbours: rejoice sincerely at the success of others and pray for them. • Treat others as you want to be treated: in trade, in driving, in words.

Hadith 14: the sacredness of life From Ibn Mas'uud (may Allah be pleased with him): the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: لَا يَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ إِلَّا بِإِحْدَى ثَلَاثٍ "The blood of a Muslim is not lawful except in one of three cases: the married person who commits adultery, a life for a life, and the one who abandons his religion and separates from the community." Source: Bukhari 6878 and Muslim 1676.

The commentary • The main message is protection: the hadith begins with "is not lawful except", meaning that the rule is absolute prohibition. The Qur'an makes the killing of a single person a crime against all humanity (5:32). • These three cases are judicial penalties (ḥuduud and qiṣaaṣ). Scholars, including An-Nawawi and Ibn Rajab, surround them with very strict conditions: proof, witnesses, examination by a judge, the possibility of the family's pardon for a life (2:178). They belong exclusively to a legitimate judicial authority; no individual and no group has the right to apply them [À VÉRIFIER : présentation pour l'imam]. • The legal principle "ward off penalties by doubts" is often quoted; its grade as a hadith is discussed [À VÉRIFIER : source]. • Ibn Rajab remarks that this hadith shows the gravity of these three crimes against the family, life and the community.

In daily life • Respect life, one's own and that of others: no violence, no threats, neither in words nor online. • Stay far from any discourse that would push an individual to "do justice" himself.

Hadith 15: speak good or keep silent From Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or keep silent; whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his neighbour; whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his guest." Source: Bukhari 6018 and Muslim 47.

The commentary • The link with faith: the three behaviours are presented as fruits of faith in Allah and the Last Day, because whoever believes in the judgement watches his tongue and his conduct. • Speaking or keeping silent: An-Nawawi explains that before speaking, one reflects; if the word is clearly good, one says it; otherwise, one keeps silent. Ibn Rajab adds that silence is not always better: keeping silent before an injustice one can correct, or not teaching what one knows when it is needed, is not praiseworthy. • The neighbour: other texts say that Jibriil recommended the neighbour so much that the Prophet ﷺ thought he would make him an heir (Bukhari 6014, Muslim 2624). Honouring the neighbour means doing him good and not harming him. • The guest: hospitality is due; texts specify it (a day and a night of special care, up to three days) [À VÉRIFIER : source et détail].

In daily life • Before sending a message, commenting or forwarding a rumour: is it good? If not, keep silent. • Know your neighbours: a greeting, a shared dish, help when needed.

The text: Surah Qaaf (50), verse 18 مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ ﴿١٨﴾

Meaning: "He utters no word without there being beside him a watcher ready to record it." This verse sheds light on hadiths 12 and 15: every word is written, which encourages one to leave what is useless and to say only what is good.

Arabic text: Tanzil Quran Text (Simple, version 1.0.2), © 2008-2010 Tanzil.net, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence, reproduced without any change (http://tanzil.net). Each verse is on its own line, followed by its number; the basmala, which the Tanzil file places at the start of the first verse, is written on its own line.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation These four hadiths regulate life with others. Hadith 12 turns the gaze towards oneself: leaving what does not concern us. Hadith 13 opens the heart: wanting for others what one wants for oneself. Hadith 14 sets an absolute limit: life is sacred, and only cases judged by a legitimate court are exceptions. Hadith 15 regulates speech and welcome: speak well or keep silent, honour neighbour and guest. Three of these hadiths are among the four in which, according to Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaani, all good manners are found. They are short, easy to remember, and touch every day. The common thread is faith that can be seen: complete faith (13), faith in Allah and the Last Day (15), the beauty of Islam (12) are measured in the way one treats people.

Lessons to draw from it • Before looking, listening, asking or commenting: "Does this concern me?" • Rejoice in the good of others and wish it for them. • Hold people's lives and safety as sacred, with no individual exception. • Reflect before speaking; speak for good, otherwise keep silent. • Do good to one's neighbours and receive one's guests well.

Key points to remember • Hadith 12 (At-Tirmidhi 2317): مِنْ حُسْنِ إِسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ. • Hadith 13 (Bukhari 13, Muslim 45): complete faith, loving for one's brother. • Hadith 14 (Bukhari 6878, Muslim 1676): life is sacred; penalties belong to the judge. • Hadith 15 (Bukhari 6018, Muslim 47): speech, the neighbour, the guest. • Four hadiths of good manners: 15, 12, 16, 13.

The main message Your faith shows in your tongue and in the way you treat others: leave what is useless, love good for all, respect life, and say only what is good.