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This hadith explains an important but often overlooked aspect of completing and perfecting our practice of Islam. We should not concern ourselves with matters that are none of our business, but should stay focused on the priorities that do concern us.
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Think about how you spend time. Al-Hasan al-Basri once said, “You are nothing but a compilation of breaths.” Every time you exhale, a piece of your life, a part of you, is lost. How many of our interactions are worthwhile and how many are useless? Allah says, “Most of their discussions do not contain any good, except of the one who enjoins charity or goodness or peace-making among people.” (4:114)
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When your heart is sensitive and connected to Allah, it may happen that you come across situations that don’t feel right. This hadith tells us that in these cases, the individual should leave what is unclear and causes discomfort for that which does not. Ar-Rayb, the word used in the hadith to refer to doubt, can refer to discomfort or instability. It is the opposite of tranquility; it upsets the person at some level. Many of the early scholars, from the angle of wara’a or heightened awareness of Allah, would be very careful about things that caused discomfort and doubt.
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"What I have forbidden for you, avoid.” We have to follow this command all the time, and in all situations. This order has to be followed except under dire circumstances
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"What I have ordered you to do, do as much of it as you can" is an important principle of Islam. The Prophet (sas) is indicating that we won’t be able to do all what is required, but we have to do as much of it as we can. Based upon this principle are countless other rulings. Prayer, for example: the Prophet (sas) said, 'Pray standing; if you are not able to; pray sitting, if you are not able to; pray (while lying) on your side."
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Asking too many questions can be a problem in itself, particularly if we are talking about the kinds of questions that are excessive or that can clearly lead to something that you don’t want to know an answer to. We also shouldn’t ask questions that are accompanied with a degree of arrogance or are just a waste of time.
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Upon reading this hadith it became clear that nasihah does not only mean advice. How could one possibly advise Allah or His book? Nasihah actually means sincerity; it is striving to seek the best outcome in any situation in life. So when we have nasihah with Allah azza wa jal, that means that we are sincere in worshipping Him and following His commandments.

Nasihah is not so much about advice; rather it is about seeking the good and benefit in a situation. If we keep this in mind, we realize that when we give nasihah to our leaders and fellow Muslims it is not to prove our point, or because we feel violated; we don’t do it in anger or haste, but rather humbly, honestly and strategically. We look to improve the situation, or the individual, instead of debasing and humiliating them. Thus, we give nasihah in the best way possible: the way that it will be received.

This, in essence, is one of the very reasons we come together as a community. We seek to uplift each other in times of hardship and grow together in times of ease. It allows us to multiply our potential and seek the best in any situation.
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