The Hadith
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
“From the excellence of a person’s Islam is leaving that which does not concern him.”
Reference
Reported by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.
Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)
In this hadith the Prophet explained an important principle of good conduct and proper behavior in Islam.
The statement:
“From the excellence of a person’s Islam”
means that when a person’s Islam becomes complete and refined, his behavior improves and he avoids matters that are not beneficial to him.
The Prophet then said:
“leaving that which does not concern him.”
This means abandoning matters that have no benefit for a person in his religion or his worldly life.
A Muslim should occupy himself with what benefits him and avoid involving himself in the affairs of others without a legitimate reason.
This includes avoiding unnecessary speech, interfering in matters that do not concern him, and wasting time on matters that bring no benefit.
When a person focuses on what benefits him and leaves what does not concern him, this becomes a sign of the goodness and completeness of his Islam.
This hadith encourages the Muslim to discipline himself and to refer the matters that are not his concern to the people of knowledge and authority.
References
The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 12.