Hadith 11-14 Of An-Nawawi’s Collection JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Imam Nawawi was a great Islamic scholar who lived about 800 years ago. He collected 40 important sayings (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These sayings guide Muslims on how to live a good life. This lesson focuses on Hadith numbers 11 through 14 from his famous collection. These four hadith teach valuable lessons about being content with what we have, leaving doubtful matters, focusing on beneficial actions, and respecting the lives and property of others.

Hadith 11: Leave What Makes You Doubt

The 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 memorized 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)

Explanation of Hadith 11

This hadith teaches us to stay away from things that make us feel unsure or uncomfortable. If something feels wrong or doubtful in our heart, we should avoid it and choose what we are certain is good and right.

For example, if a student is not sure whether copying answers from a friend is allowed, they should avoid it and do their own work instead. This way, they will have peace of mind knowing they did the right thing.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) wants us to have a clear conscience. When we avoid doubtful matters, we protect our faith and character from possible harm. This hadith teaches Muslims to be careful and thoughtful about their choices.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said in another hadith, “The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many people do not know about.” By following the teaching in Hadith 11, Muslims can stay safely within the boundaries of what is permitted.

When we choose to leave doubtful matters, we build a protective shield around our faith. This helps us stay on the straight path and avoid slipping into sinful behaviors. The more we practice this principle, the stronger our moral compass becomes.

Hadith 12: Leaving What Does Not Concern You

The 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)

Explanation of Hadith 12

This hadith teaches us to focus on what matters and not waste our time on unimportant things. A good Muslim does not interfere in matters that are not their business. They spend their time and energy on useful and beneficial activities.

For instance, getting involved in gossip about neighbors or classmates does not benefit us and may lead to conflicts and bad feelings. Instead, we should focus on improving ourselves and helping others in positive ways.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is teaching us that time is valuable. Every minute we spend on useless matters is a minute lost that could have been used for something good. This hadith encourages us to be thoughtful about how we use our time and energy.

This teaching also helps create a peaceful society. When people mind their own business and avoid unnecessary interference in others’ affairs, there are fewer conflicts and misunderstandings. Everyone feels respected and has the space to live their life.

The hadith does not mean we should ignore situations where someone needs help. If we see someone in danger or difficulty, helping them is our concern. The key is to distinguish between what truly requires our attention and what does not.

Applying this hadith in our lives requires wisdom and self-control. We must constantly ask ourselves: “Is this matter my concern? Will my involvement help or harm? Is this the best use of my time?” By asking these questions, we can better follow this important teaching.

Hadith 13: Love for Your Brother What You Love for Yourself

The 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)

Explanation of Hadith 13

This beautiful hadith teaches us the golden rule of Islam: treat others the way you want to be treated. It means a true believer wants good things for others just as they want good things for themselves.

For example, if you like to be respected, you should respect others. If you want people to help you when you are in need, you should help others when they need help. If you enjoy receiving gifts, you should be generous in giving gifts to others.

This teaching creates a caring community where everyone looks out for each other. When we follow this hadith, we overcome selfishness and develop empathy for others. We begin to feel happy when others succeed and sad when they face difficulties.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) connects this attitude directly to faith. He says that our belief is not complete unless we have this caring attitude toward others. This shows how important good treatment of others is in Islam.

This hadith applies to all relationships: family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and even people we do not know well. It creates a standard for how we should think about and treat every person we interact with.

Practicing this hadith requires us to be thoughtful and considerate. Before we act, we can ask ourselves: “Would I want to be treated this way? Would I be happy if someone did this to me?” This simple check can guide us to better behavior.

Hadith 14: The Sanctity of a Muslim’s Life, Property, and Honor

The 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)

Explanation of Hadith 14

This hadith teaches the great value Islam places on human life and safety. It shows that harming others is a serious matter. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explains that a Muslim’s life is sacred and protected, and can only be taken in three very specific and extreme situations that were part of the legal system at that time.

This hadith emphasizes how serious Islam is about protecting people from harm. It teaches Muslims to respect the lives, property, and dignity of others. Violence and harm are not allowed except in the most extreme circumstances and only through proper legal channels, not through personal revenge or vigilante action.

In today’s world, most Muslim countries have legal systems that handle these serious matters. Individual Muslims are not allowed to take the law into their own hands. Even in the three cases mentioned, only a proper Islamic court with qualified judges, after a fair trial with evidence and witnesses, could make such decisions.

The deeper message of this hadith is about the sanctity of human life and dignity. Islam teaches that each person is valuable and worthy of respect. Muslims should treat others with kindness and avoid causing harm.

This hadith also reminds us that actions have consequences. While Islam is a religion of mercy, it also has clear boundaries to protect society from harmful behaviors. The purpose of these boundaries is to create a safe and just community where everyone’s rights are respected.

Understanding this hadith properly requires knowledge of its historical context and the broader teachings of Islam about mercy, justice, and human dignity. Scholars emphasize that the spirit of this hadith is protection and respect for human life, not punishment.

Applications of These Hadith in Daily Life

These four hadith provide practical guidance for everyday situations:

When in doubt about whether something is right or wrong, it is better to avoid it (Hadith 11).

We should focus on matters that concern us and not waste time interfering in things that are not our business (Hadith 12).

We should treat others the way we would like to be treated, wanting for them what we want for ourselves (Hadith 13).

We must respect the life, property, and dignity of others, avoiding causing harm (Hadith 14).

By following these teachings, a Muslim can develop good character and contribute positively to society. These principles help create strong communities based on mutual respect, care, and justice.

Conclusion

Hadith 11-14 from Imam Nawawi’s collection contain valuable wisdom for all Muslims. They teach us to have clear hearts by avoiding doubtful matters, to focus our energy on what truly matters, to care for others as we care for ourselves, and to respect the sanctity of human life and dignity.

These teachings, though simple to understand, can be challenging to practice consistently. They require self-awareness, self-control, and sincere intention. However, by striving to apply these principles in our daily lives, we can become better Muslims and better human beings.

The beauty of these hadith is that they provide practical guidance that benefits both the individual and society. When people follow these teachings, they develop inner peace and contribute to creating harmonious communities where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.