Samar Yahya

 

The true Muslim does not forget the precise system that Islam set out when it enjoined the good treatment of neighbors. Islam advises Muslims to give priority to the one whose house is closest, then the one who is next, and so on, until the seventh closest neighbor. It is more than just being courteous and polite, between neighbors there is meant to be friendship and harmony.



Although the closest neighbors are more entitled to our care and interest, Islam urges us to take care of all our neighbors. It is a system that takes into consideration the needs and feelings of others in the greater community.



Many Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stress the importance of kind treatment to neighbors and how we should take care of them.



Abdullah bin Amr once asked his servant after slaughtering a sheep, “Did you give some to our Jewish neighbor? For I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, ‘Jibril kept on enjoining the good treatment of neighbors to such an extent that I thought he would include neighbors as heirs.’”



Abu Huraira reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).



Islam is always concerned with those who live under its shade! History bears witness to the fact that non-Muslims have lived alongside Muslims in many regions of the Islamic world, secure in their beliefs. Their honor and their wealth were safe, enjoying a good neighborly relationship with the Muslims, good treatment and freedom of worship.



Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) wife A’isha (may Allah rest her soul) asked, “O Messenger of Allah, I have two neighbors, so to which one should I send a gift?” He replied, “To the one whose door is closest to yours.” (Al- Bukhari)



The early Muslims appreciated the value of good neighbors so much that they considered having a good neighbor to be a precious blessing.



The neighbor of Sa`id ibn Al-`As wanted to sell his house for 100,000 dirham, and told the would-be purchaser, “This is the price of the house, but what would you give for having Sa`id as a neighbour?” In his eyes, the value of the house was much higher since it neighbored such a good man. When Sa`id heard about this, he sent his neighbor the price of the house in full and told him to stay there, in his house and not to sell his house.



Abu Dhar, 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 neighbors.



Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor is hungry.” (Sahih Al-Albani)



This Hadith makes it clear that Islam does not like a Muslim to ignore his poor neighbor; one must take care of his poor neighbors. If a person is not in a position to do more, he should at least add some water in the broth he cooks for his own food and send a portion of it to his deserving neighbor.



A Muslim should in no case be unmindful of his neighbor and if he is well to do, he should be all the more generous to his neighbors.



A Muslim 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 fosters friendship and mutual support.



Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned his companions against harming or upsetting neighbors. In a Hadith reported by Imam Ahmad, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked about a certain woman who prayed and fasted even more than what was mandatory, and she gave generously in charity, but unfortunately, she did not refrain from speaking harshly to her neighbors. He described her as being one of the people of Hell, who would be punished for this. In the same Hadith, he was asked about another woman who fulfilled only her mandatory duties and gave very little in charity; however, she never hurt her neighbors by speaking ill towards them and she offended none. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described her to be among the people of Paradise.



Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbors to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbor.”



Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?”’ He said, “One whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)