Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.(Quran)
Man is social by nature. This fact briefs the human life and its interrelated relationships. All of us, men and women, are endowed with factual capabilities that cannot bring forth perfectly without social interaction. Therefore, Islam endeavors to shape these natural ties within a sound and secure system that builds up ethical principles and cares for both the material and moral considerations of individuals. The Islamic social approach stands alone to bolster the best for man and everything around in the worldly life and the Hereafter. Indeed, this approach includes the forgotten and neglected tools to the cheering and successful existence of man on the earth. At the top of the Islamic social rights lies the right of neighbors in Islam. It is the right that the Prophet (peace be upon him) adopted since the early days of his Prophethood. He (peace be upon him) commenced his message with inviting people to the moral rights, including the rights of neighbors, as stated in the speech of Ja`far ibn Abu Talib to Al-Najashi (The Negus) as Ja`far said: “O King! We were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism; we adored idols, we lived in unchastity, we ate the dead bodies, and we spoke abominations, we disregarded every feeling of humanity, and the duties of hospitality and neighborhood were neglected; we knew no law but that of the strong, when Allah raised among us a man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware; and he called to the Oneness of Allah, and taught us not to associate anything with Him. “He forbade us the worship of idols; and he enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful and to regard the rights of the neighbors and kith and kin… (Ahmad) Almighty Allah has stressed special rights for neighbors more than others, including good treatment and kindness to him. Allah says, Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess… (An-Nisaa’ 4:36) Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) linked good treatment to the Muslim’s faith and made it a sign of perfect or weak faith. He said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should do good to his neighbor and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to the guest and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or better remain silent.” (Muslim). Imam ibn Hajar said, “The neighbor includes -the adjoining ones- whether they are Muslim and non-Muslim, the practicing and non-practicing Muslim, the friend and the enemy, the foreigner and the national, the good and the bad and those with near or far houses.” (Fath Al-Bari). Dear brothers and sisters, the neighbour holds a special status in Islam. From this ayat we can deduce that a Muslim should maintain good relations with his neighbours. Looking towards the hadith of our beloved Prophet (PEACE BE UPON HIM), we find that the status of neighbours has been held in high regard here also. The Prophet (PEACE BE UPON HIM) taught us that the neighbour is not just someone next door to us, but up to 40 houses away! SubhanAllah. When one reflects on this, it becomes clear that there ought to be a sense of belonging in the community and a sense of responsibility too. It’s not just about the next door neighbour, or the street in which you live. We owe it to the neighbourhood in which we live. But does this apply to Muslim lands only? Answering this question comes from another Hadith of the Prophet (PEACE BE UPON HIM) in which he is reported to have said: The neighbour is 3 types: one who has one right over you, one that has two rights over you and one who has three rights over you. Dear brothers and sisters, the scholars conclude that this hadith talks of the following group of people. Those neighbours who have three rights over you is the one who is also a relative and a Muslim. Those neighbours who have two rights over you may be Muslim but not related or a relation but not Muslim. Which leaves that neighbour with one right over you and he is neither a relation nor a Muslim. That means no Muslim is exempt from the rights of the neighbour. Dear brothers and sisters, a lot of us have come from either parents who migrated here or those who have migrated themselves. Our parents have many stories to tell of difficulties that they endured when moving to this land. However, we live in a different time now. And our tests are different. We have tolerance within our communities and although problems will never totally disappear, the neighbourhood is a different place to past times. Muslims all around the world consider him the example to follow in their worship of Allah (SWT) and in their dealings with others. The religion of Islam, as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM), urges kind and considerate treatment towards our neighbours. They deserve our respect and good treatment regardless of their religion, race or colour. In a saying narrated by Aisha, a wife of Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM), it is reported that the angel Gabriel (AS) insisted that Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) understand the importance of the good treatment of neighbours. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) said that at one stage he thought the angel Gabriel (AS) would bestow inheritance rights on neighbours; such was his insistence on their kind and fair treatment. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM)’s mission was simply to convey the message of Allah (SWT), who clearly commanded the good treatment of neighbours in the Quran. “Worship Allah (SWT) and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet)… Verily, Allah (SWT) does not like such as are proud and boastful.” (Quran 4:36) The men and women around Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) were constantly reminded of their obligations to Allah (SWT) and to one another. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) was often heard to exhort them to do good needs and to remember their obligations. He said, “Whoever believes in Allah (SWT) and the Last Day, let him not harm or annoy his neighbour…” He also reminded, not only for his companions but for all of us to follow, that a believer in Allah (SWT) does not allow his brother or sister to go hungry or live in unfortunate conditions. One of the moral and humane duties towards the neighbors is to help them with their problems and satisfy their needs.
Such acts bring about success in this world and the world to come, if done in the intention of to Allah. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) is reported to have stated: “Anyone who satisfies the need of a Muslim, Allah will satisfy many of his needs, the least of which is (to let him enter) Paradise.” The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) also commands us to keep company with the poor: because our company familiarizes us with their problems, allows us to understand the needs of the deprived class of society and helps us remove their complications and hardships. “Whoever seeks this world (through lawful means) in order to be in no need of people and be kind to the neighbours, he will meet Allah while his face is like the moon (when it is full).” He also says: “He who spends the night satisfied while his neighbour is hungry does not have faith in me.” Today in a time when old people die alone and forgotten, and when our neighbours both near and far go hungry whilst we have food, we would do well to remember the examples set by our righteous predecessors. Abu Dhar (RA), one of the close companions, was told by Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) to add extra water to his broth in order to be able to offer some to his neighbours. Another companion, Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) once asked his servant after slaughtering a sheep, “Did you give some to our Jewish neighbour?” A believer is encouraged to give gifts even if they are of little monetary value. The true value of the gift is the generous spirit with which it is given. The giving of gifts encourages friendship and mutual support. When the Prophet’s wife Aisha (RA) asked him about what neighbours to send her gifts, he replied, “To the one whose door is closest to yours”. Although the closest neighbours are the ones we should be mindful of in the first instance, Islam urges us to take care of all our neighbours. It is a system that takes into consideration the needs and feelings of others in the greater community. When one truly understands the teachings of Islam, he or she begins to see that if one member of a community suffers the whole community is in strife. After family, neighbours are the people that we depend on the most in times of strife and calamity, and in times of need. A bad relationship with neighbours can make life miserable. It is important that people who share a neighbourhood be able to trust and rely on each other, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Neighbours must feel secure that both their honour and wealth are safe. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) described a good neighbour as one of the joys in a Muslim’s life, he said, “Among the things that bring happiness to a believer in this life are a righteous neighbour, a spacious house and a good steed”. A good neighbour is one who guarantees comfort, security and safety. For this reason it is important that one who believes in obeying Allah (SWT) does not spare any effort in being considerate of and generous to the neighbours. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) warned his companions against harming or upsetting the neighbours. In a saying that is as true today as it was 1500 years ago, Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) was asked about a certain woman who prayed and fasted more than was obligatory upon her, and gave generously in charity, but unfortunately, she did not refrain from speaking harshly to her neighbours. He described her as being one of the people of Hell who would be punished for this. In the same saying, he was asked about another woman who fulfilled only her obligatory duties and gave very little in charity, however her neighbours were safe from her harsh tongue and she offended no one. Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) described her as among the people of Paradise. The religion of Islam places great emphasis on the solidarity of families, neighbourhoods and the wider community. Islam continuously advises the believers to be kind and considerate of neighbours. What happens however if one has a neighbour who behaves badly and does not show the respect inherent in the teachings of Islam? A Muslim is patient and tolerant and does not bare a grudge. A believer strives to mend the broken relationship through good morals and manners and a forgiving attitude in the hope that this will bring about great reward from Allah (SWT). A believer patiently bares the annoyances as much as he or she is able. If the situation becomes intolerable to publicise the bad behaviour may be a last resort. The Prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) once advised a man to gather his belongings in the middle of the road as an indication that he could no longer live beside his neighbour. The “bad neighbour” immediately apologised and begged his neighbour to return. Nobody likes their bad behaviour to be made public and this is especially true of a Muslim, whose religion requires that he have the highest moral standards. Islam places great emphasis on the qualities of respect, tolerance and forgiveness, and these qualities shown to neighbours is a demonstration of the moral values and virtues inbuilt into the worship of Allah (SWT). And it is our duty as Muslims to make our community feel safe with us as part of it. We need to be able to integrate into the community and be responsible for it. It is our responsibility to show them that the news does not represent us. The Prophet SAWS said: He is not a true Muslim who’s neighbour does not feel safe with him. Dear brothers and sisters, we already have the news telling our neighbours bad things in the name of Islam; it is therefore our personal responsibility to counteract that so that they do feel safe in our presence. So to conclude, here are 5 tips that we can all practice in order to be better Muslims in our communities:
1. Introduce yourself and your family to your neighbours when you move into a new place or when they move to a neighbouring home.
2. Care for them. If you know of a neighbour that is elderly or unwell then take some time out of your schedule to visit them.
3. When socialising with them, present your religion in the best way. Don’t be ashamed to say if you don’t know the answer to a question they may have. Instead, go find the answer so that you can both be educated on the answer.
4. Don’t be arrogant with them. Be considerate in parking your car for example. If the choice is there, park further away so as not to inconvenience them.
5. When socialising with them, be conscious of your boundaries. For example, a trip to the local pub is out but they will respect you for your principles as a result.
Dear brothers and sisters, how Muslims interact with their neighbours is key to resetting the mind-set of a society that is being fed distorted perceptions of Islam. The responsibility is ours by being that front-line in changing their mind-set with our behaviour towards them. May Allah SWT help us be better neighbours. May Allah SWT enable us to be examples within our communities and may Allah SWT reward us in our efforts to be better neighbours. Ameen Wal Hamdullilahi Rabil Aalameen!
(The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon” . The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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