. IÚ IÛJ ':?Ü?I Iljj ,H c.,tÝ (cont.)

Therefore, there is no need to discuss it in detail. However, since this hadith is somewhat borderline, with many scholars accepting it, it will be discussed to some extent. Furthermore, much of the discussion will be centered around concepts that go beyond this one particular hadith. This hadith is a foundation for manners, etiquette and behavior in Islam. Abu Muhammad ibn Abu Zaid, the leader of the Malikis of his time, stated that all the good manners and behavior are alluded to in four hadith: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak well or remain silent," "Part of the perfection of the person's Islam is his leaving that which is of no concern to him," the hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the one seeking his advice, "Do not get angry," and the hadith, "A believer loves for his brother what he loves for himself. "2 Some say that this hadith is half of Islam. This is because Islam is either about doing something or abstaining from something. This hadith is explicitly about the latter portion. However, it implicitly also touches upon the former portion. Hence, one can say that it is about all oflslam.3 1 lbn Rajab refers to these scholars as making this conclusion. See ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 1, p.287-288. Allah knows best, but it seems that lbn Rajab himself is not convinced that this hadith is hasan. 2 Quoted in ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 1 , p. 288. 3 Al-Haitami, p. 144. Hadith #12: "Part of the Perfection of a Person's Islam ... " About the Narrator: Abu Huraira His life was discussed in the commentary to Hadith #9. "Part of the perfection of the person's Islam" The hadith states, ࢄ y,11 eࣳl ࣴ ࣲ- Some translators have understood this to mean, "Part of someone's being a good Muslim." However, the commentators on this hadith point out that the meaning is that the act described is part of a person perfecting or completing his Islam.1 Hence, if a person wants to make sure that he is applying or living Islam completely and correctly, then he must make sure that he is meeting this qualification. In Sahih Muslim, there is a hadith on the authority of Abu Huraira that describes the great reward for those people who complete and "perfect" their Islam. Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "' ... 0 ... 0 J ""iM S J a\\ ࣤ\ࣥ ࢅt'. I• . ੹ t '. I' => :U:::., I __ ࣢ , if J ࣯ y.. r : r--৉ r:..r->- if ஝ȇ( r : J "As for the one of you who excels in Islam, he will not be held accountable for it. As for the one who does evil [with respect to his Islam], he shall be held accountable for what he did in Jaahiliyah as well as in Islam." But there is a hadith in Musnad Ahmad which states, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) was speaking to Amr ibn al-As, S ,,.. ,,.. ,,.. ,,, JI ,,. rJJ ,,. ,,. ._,J !.lJ\ '. ࣮ Jt) + ੯ 'JL...,j\ Ji 0 +i J o , \S , . y rX . . • i : , J_r$' • "O Amr, didn't you know that Islam wipes away all of the sins that one performed before it."2 But this hadith must be understood in the light of the other hadith. According to ibn Rajab, the meaning of this hadith is that if a 1 Recorded by Malik and al-NasaaL According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, sahih al­ Jaami, vol. 1, p. 122. 2 This narration is from Musnad Ahmad. Sahih Muslim has virtually the same with a slight change in the wording. Hadith #12: "Part of the Perfection of a Person's Islam ... " person completes his Islam and excels in Islam, then all of his previous sins will be erased and overlooked. Otherwise, if he continues to perform such evil acts in Islam, his previous acts will not be overlooked.1 "his leaving that which is of no concern to him" In this part of the hadith, it states that a person avoids things that are of no concern to him. What is meant by this is not things that are of no concern to him based on his desires or wants. What is meant is things that are of no concern to him based on the guidance of the shareeah. That is, from a shareeah point of view, those things are of no benefit for him in either this life or the Hereafter. Therefore, he should remain away from them. Hence, the standard concerning what is or is not "of concern" is the shareeah and not an individual's wants or desires.