Qur’an has similarly provided us with examples that support the effectiveness of using curiosity to influence personal behavior.
In Surah Al-An’am verses 74 to 76, Prophet Abraham’s curiosity prompts him to find Allah:
'And (mention, O Muhammad), when Abraham said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people to be in manifest error.” And thus, did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain (in faith). So when the night covered him (with darkness), he saw a star. He said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “I like not those that disappear.” And when he saw the moon rising, he said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray.”'
Following this, verses 77, 78 and 79 tell us: “And when he saw the sun rising, he said, “This is my lord; this is greater.” But when it set, he said, “O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah. Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.”
Surah Taha verses 10 to 12 tell us that Prophet Moses’ curiosity was piqued when he saw fire and told his family, “Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance.”
It was at the fire that Allah informed Moses about choosing him to receive revelation.
Curious is Positive
Curiosity can involve positive feelings of interest and can prompt people to seek knowledge that enhances their lives.
Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.”
Suspicion, Speculation, Spying and Backbiting (Negative Curiosity)
As far as possible we must avoid making suspicion or speculation on others matters, but if we speculate that a particular family is noble and very helpful then it is not prohibited. Unnecessarily if we establish our views about bad habits of some persons or bad behavior of some families then it is sin. Besides this if we start showing curiosity about the internal matters of some families and do spying for establishing our views then it is a big sin. Allah has warned for not involving ourselves in back biting...
Surah No. 17, Al Isra (Bani Israil), Ayat No. 36:
"And do not pursue that of which you have no strong reason to believe ; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of feeling in the heart will be enquired (on the Day of Judgment)."
Surah No. 49, Al Hujurat, Ayat No. 12:
"O believers ! Avoid suspicion (speculation) as much as possible: suspicion (speculation) in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor backbite on one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother ? No ; you would hate it (so hate backbiting), and fear Allah: In fact, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful."
A believer should avoid things that are of no concern to him. They are of no benefit to this life nor to the hereafter, in terms of belief, speech or actions. In justifying this point, the Maliki jurist Imam Ibn Al-Arabi said that a person is not able to take care of all the necessary matters, why would he then get involved in the unnecessary matters that are of no real concern.
What are the things that are of no concern to all of us? With the general principle, anything that is forbidden, doubtful, disliked and over indulging in permissible acts.
We should avoid concern of people’s affair that has no impact on us. Gossiping and backbiting. We should not intrude uninvited into the affairs of others unnecessarily.
Even when someone cancels an appointment with you, you should avoid asking the reason why. This is a practice that we must try. Perhaps the excuse is too embarrassing to share or a secret they prefer to conceal. It is best not to put them in the position that they would be embarrass or they would have to lie.
In this time of social network and information overload and add to it normal human curiosity, it is easy to pry into people’s everyday life. One may be sharing their life on their social network status, but it is another thing if we go around telling everyone about others.
Also, with social network and vast topics of everything by everyone, people tend to go on useless debates that achieve nothing. This is the same as those who like to look for argument and debate, raising their voice and talking in superiority.
How to Attain This?
This is not an easy task. It is an effort against shaytaan and also our nature inclined to curiosity. It’s a practice that we must try to cultivate.
Perhaps some reminders would benefit us.
Our tongue needs to be controlled. From the hadith of the Prophet (saws), “Indeed, from the excellence of a person’s Islam is a sparseness of words about words does not concern him.” [at-Tirmidhi, graded hasan]
Prophet Muhammad (saws) the harm in failure to do so when he said to Muadh, “Does anything topple people onto their faces in the Fire except the fruitd of their tongues?”
Ibn Mas’ud has been quoted saying, “There is nothing more in need of prolonged imprisonment than my tongue.”
We have to remember the words that we utter and the words that we type are all accountable deeds. We must have Taqwa in all of these. Umar bin Abdul Aziz observed, “One who counts his speech a part of his deeds will minimize his words except about what concerns him.”
Surah Al Zalzalah 99:7-8:
"So Whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And Whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it."
Indeed being in silence due to fear of Allah and embarrassment before Him is far better than having to say everything to everyone. Allah says in Surah Nisa, 4:114:
"There is no good In Most of their secret talks save (in) Him who orders Sadaqah (charity In Allâh’s Cause), or Ma’rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and All the good and righteous deeds which Allâh has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and He who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allâh, we shall give Him a great reward."
Allah has reminded us what kind of talk would be beneficial. From this verse they are:
– Encouraging charity
– Calling people to good
– Conciliation between mankind.
Prophet (saws) issued a severe warning when he said, “Sufficient for a person as sin is his speaking about all that he hears.” One, who speaks too much, can hardly be free from untruth exaggeration or exposure of that which should be concealed. It is better to practice restraint and occupy oneself with righteous deeds. This should leave no opportunity for idle pastimes and attention to affairs of no benefit.
What Should We Do?
1. A believer should train him/herself to concentrate to be involved in the beneficial matters so that this in itself will be the person’s attitude.
2. Manage your time well. During idle time make dhikr. Listen to good lectures. This will give you no time to allow your mind to roam about and think about things which are unnecessary. Do not waste time, money and effort in things that are of no benefit in this life and the hereafter.
3. Prophet (saws) said, “Be keen to what is beneficial to you. And do not be reckless". At-Tirmidhi. It is far more beneficial to involve yourself with activities that is beneficial to Deen, health and i'lm than going through gossip magazines for example. Certainly, these are not beneficial at all. Not to mention, may lead to haraam.
4. Prioritize your affairs to how Allah would be please with. Occupy yourself with beneficial things.
5. Taqwa is highly needed. Remembering Allah’s prohibition and also what he dislike and the punishment that follows it would help strengthen our fight against our desire.
Our Concern
Having said this, we should be concern with the states of or family, friends and communities in terms of the Deen. When teachings of Allah is violated, when there is injustice, when someone is in trouble, when a fellow Muslim is in need of advise – these are the examples when we should be concern about others.
When we have friends who are missing in our study circle for example, we should follow up with his being. Just like when Prophet (saws) asked the whereabout of Ka'ab when he was missing in the battle of Tabuk.
We should also be concern with Muslims all over the world who are suffering. Do not forget to make dua’a for them.
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