Hadith 11-14 of An-Nawawi’s Collection – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Hadith 11 to 14 of An-Nawawi’s collection are four sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on good conduct. They teach Muslims to leave doubtful matters, to avoid what does not concern them, to love for others what they love for themselves, and to respect the sanctity of human life.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the meaning of Hadith 11, 12, 13 and 14 of An-Nawawi’s collection;
2. explain why a Muslim should leave doubtful matters;
3. explain what it means to leave what does not concern us;
4. give examples of loving for our brother what we love for ourselves;
5. state the three cases in Hadith 14 and explain why a Muslim’s life is protected;
6. apply the four hadith to daily life at home and in school.

Who was Imam Nawawi?

Imam Nawawi was a great Islamic scholar who lived about 800 years ago.

• His work: he collected important sayings (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), known as the Forty Hadith.
• Purpose of the collection: the sayings guide Muslims on how to live a good life.
• This lesson: it covers Hadith numbers 11, 12, 13 and 14.

What are Hadith 11 to 14 at a glance?

The table shows the narrator, the source and the main lesson of each hadith.

What does Hadith 11 teach?

Hadith 11 teaches a Muslim to leave what makes him doubt for what does not make him doubt.

Text of Hadith 11

On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), who said: “I memorised from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): ‘Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt.'”

(Related by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasai, and At-Tirmidhi said it is a good and sound hadith)

Meaning of Hadith 11

• Main teaching: if something feels wrong or doubtful in our heart, we should avoid it.
• What to choose: we should do what we are certain is good and right.
• Clear conscience: avoiding doubtful matters gives peace of mind.
• Protection: it guards our faith and character from harm.

Example of Hadith 11

• In school: a student is not sure whether copying answers from a friend is allowed. He should avoid it and do his own work.

Related teaching

• Another hadith (Hadith 6): the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many people do not know about.”
• Lesson: by leaving doubtful matters, a Muslim stays safely within what is permitted.
• Result: the more we practise this, the stronger our conscience becomes.

What does Hadith 12 teach?

Hadith 12 teaches that part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is leaving what does not concern him.

Text of Hadith 12

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is his leaving what does not concern him.”

(A good hadith related by At-Tirmidhi and others)

Meaning of Hadith 12

• Focus: a good Muslim spends time and energy on useful and beneficial activities.
• Minding our business: he does not interfere in matters that are not his business.
• Value of time: every minute spent on useless matters is a minute lost.
• Peaceful society: when people mind their own business, there are fewer conflicts and misunderstandings.

Example of Hadith 12

• Gossip: talking about neighbours or classmates brings no benefit and may cause quarrels.
• Better choice: improve ourselves and help others in positive ways.

Limit of Hadith 12

• Helping people: the hadith does not tell us to ignore someone in danger or difficulty. Helping that person is our concern.
• Questions to ask: Is this matter my concern? Will my involvement help or harm? Is this the best use of my time?

What does Hadith 13 teach?

Hadith 13 teaches that none of us truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

Text of Hadith 13

On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

(Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Meaning of Hadith 13

• Golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Link to faith: our belief is not complete without this caring attitude.
• Effect on character: it removes selfishness and builds empathy.
• Effect on feelings: we are happy when others succeed and sad when they face difficulty.
• Who it covers: family, friends, neighbours, classmates and people we do not know well.

Examples of Hadith 13

• Respect: if you like to be respected, respect others.
• Help: if you want help when in need, help others when they need it.
• Gifts: if you enjoy receiving gifts, give generously to others.

Self-check for Hadith 13

• Before we act, ask: Would I want to be treated this way? Would I be happy if someone did this to me?

What does Hadith 14 teach?

Hadith 14 teaches that the life of a Muslim is sacred and may be taken lawfully in only three cases.

Text of Hadith 14

On the authority of Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The blood of a Muslim may not be legally spilled except in one of three cases: the married person who commits adultery, a life for a life, and the one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community.”

(Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

What are the three cases in Hadith 14?

There are three cases: adultery by a married person, a life for a life, and abandoning the religion and the community.

1. The married person who commits adultery: a very serious offence in Islam.
2. A life for a life: the lawful punishment for deliberately killing another person.
3. The one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community: a person who leaves Islam and separates from the Muslim community.

Meaning of Hadith 14

• Value of life: Islam places great value on human life and safety.
• Harm is serious: harming others is a grave matter.
• Respect for people: Muslims must respect the lives, property and dignity of others.
• Kindness: every person is valuable and deserves kind treatment.

Who may decide these cases?

• Proper court: only a court with qualified judges may decide such cases.
• Fair trial: it needs evidence and witnesses.
• Not allowed: personal revenge and taking the law into our own hands.
• Today: legal systems handle these serious matters. Individuals must never act alone.

Why does Islam set these limits?

• Consequences: actions have consequences, though Islam is a religion of mercy.
• Purpose: the boundaries protect society and keep everyone’s rights safe.
• Understanding: the hadith must be read with the wider Islamic teaching on mercy, justice and human dignity.

How can we apply these hadith in daily life?

We apply them by choosing what is certain, minding our own business, caring for others and avoiding harm.

• Hadith 11: when in doubt about whether something is right or wrong, avoid it.
• Hadith 12: focus on matters that concern us and do not waste time interfering in others’ affairs.
• Hadith 13: treat others as we would like to be treated.
• Hadith 14: respect the life, property and dignity of others and avoid causing harm.

Why is it hard to practise them?

• Self-awareness: we must notice our own actions.
• Self-control: we must hold back from wrong and useless acts.
• Sincere intention: we must do it to please Allah.

Evaluation

1. State Hadith 11 and explain its meaning in your own words.
2. According to Hadith 12, what is part of the perfection of a person’s Islam?
3. Give two examples of how a student can show that he or she loves for others what he or she loves for himself or herself (Hadith 13).
4. List the three cases in Hadith 14 in which the blood of a Muslim may be legally spilled.
5. Who is allowed to make decisions in these three cases?

Assignment

Choose one of the four hadith studied. Write a short paragraph on how you can apply it at home or in school, and give one example.