It is part of etiquette to refrain from asking people about their private affairs. The Prophet ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him ) said, “Part of a person’s being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him” (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2317, classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, p. 112) Al-Tirmidhi narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: One of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, and a man said: Glad tidings to him of Paradise. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said “You don’t know; perhaps he spoke of that which did not concern him, or he was miserly with something that he could do without.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (3103). Reports with similar meanings were narrated via numerous isnaads from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and in some of them it says that the man was killed as a martyr. End quote. Al-Munaawi said in Fayd al-Qadeer (7/3): It is possible that what is meant is asking a man too many questions about his situation, which includes asking about that which does not concern one. That also may lead to embarrassment for the one who is being asked, because he may prefer not to tell him about his situation, and if he tells him he may feel upset about that, but if he lies to him or tries to give indirect answers he may still feel upset, and if he ignores his question that will be bad manners. End quote. There are reports from some of the salaf which point to this matter of etiquette: ‘Amr ibn Qays al-Malaa’i said: A man passed by Luqmaan and there were people with him. He said to him: Aren’t you the slave of such and such a tribe? He said: Yes. He said: Didn’t you used to farm by Mount So and so? He said: Yes. He said: Then how have you ended up as I see you? He said: Speaking the truth and keeping silent for a long time about that which does not concern me. Muwarriq al-‘Ijli said: It is something that I have been seeking for so many years, but I was not able to do it, but I will never stop looking for it. They said: What is it? I said: Refraining from that which does not concern me. Both reports were narrated from Ibn Abi’l-Dunya. Abu ‘Ubaydah narrated that al-Hasan al-Basri said: One of the signs of Allaah’s turning away from a man is that he becomes involved in that which does not concern him, as a sign that Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has left him to his own devices. The above shows people how to adopt this important attitude and etiquette, and how to interact with one another in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the righteous. It was narrated that al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has forbidden you to disobey your mothers, to bury your daughters alive, to not pay the rights of others and to beg from others. And He dislikes gossip for you, asking too many questions, and wasting money.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2231.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 17:29:52 +0000
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