Is excessive thinking about people's circumstances and grieving over them, coupled with cowardice in enjoining good and forbidding evil among them, which increases pangs of conscience, considered Islamically praiseworthy, or is it better to focus on preparing oneself for the afterlife and turn away from thinking about people?

The thoughts of a wise person revolve around four fundamental principles: attracting the benefits of this world and the hereafter, and repelling their harms. The highest form of thought is that which is for Allah, such as contemplating His signs, His blessings, and the shortcomings of the self. Therefore, thinking about one's shortcomings in enjoining good and forbidding evil is a praiseworthy thought, as it aids in repentance and rectifying one's deeds. As for merely thinking about people and their affairs, it is of no benefit. A servant must strive against their self to abandon thinking about what does not benefit them in this world or the hereafter.