Islam has great respect for the mutual rights and duties of neighbours. Islam is a humble and loving religion that has prescribed good treatment to everyone and everything. Neighbors are held in very high regard in Islam and they have many rights over us that we are religiously obliged to fulfill. Islam is a comprehensive religion and has specifically defined that neighbours are those who live up to forty houses from us in all directions. A Muslim lives with him a noble life, based on the highest Islamic ethical code.
Islam puts a deep emphasis on our duty to our neighbours. All human beings are descended from Eve and Adam; therefore, Muslims believe in the brotherhood and consider Humanity a family. Islamic teachings and values reflect more on an individual’s actions than their words.
Islam emphasises keeping good relations with neighbours, as it warns against severing kinship ties. Being a good neighbour and realizing the duty to our neighbours doesn’t just mean being friendly to the homeowners next door. It means to help take care of the community as a whole. Many Muslims know the importance of respecting and caring for our parents and other family members, but too many fail to fulfil their duty to our neighbours and the deprived in the community.
Islam places great importance on good behaviour with neighbours and desires all neighbours to be loving and cooperative with one another. Muslims should maintain good relations with neighbours, and favour in all fields. A Muslim must be good to his neighbours, regardless of their religion.
Islam stresses keeping a friendly atmosphere in one`s living area. All of us depend on each other in this world to make a society. The rights of a neighbour are that, if he falls sick you visit him, if he dies you follow his funeral procession, if he asks you for a loan you lend to him, if he is in need you assist him, if good befalls him you congratulate him, if misfortune befalls him you console him. Muslims have a zeal and zest among us to care more for our neighbours.
The importance and value of Neighbourhood in Islam:
- The neighbourhood is one of the blessings of God
- A good neighbour is a source of happiness
- The neighbour holds a special status in Islam
- Doing good to neighbours who may even be strangers
- Treating one’s neighbour with respect and duty
- Those who fulfil the rights of neighbours are blessed
- Respecting neighbours is a duty upon Muslims
- Treating your neighbour like your mother
- Loving a neighbor-like family
- Helping out a neighbour in need may end up helping you as well
Islam encourages Muslims to treat their neighbours in a gentle way that reflects the genuine spirit of Islam as exemplified in its tolerant aspect, especially with people of other faiths.
The Quran-book of Allah is the complete code of life, every matter of life:
- “The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.” (Al-Hujurat 49:10)
Islam offers tremendous benefits to those who comply with these teachings of the Quran and our beloved Prophet (saw).
وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ
“If one amongst the Pagans asks thee for asylum, grant it to him…” (Surah Al-Tawbah 9:6)
لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَّكُمْ
“No one among men can overcome you this day, while I am near to you.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:48)
The rights of neighbours prescribed in Islam are as follows:
- A believer must help his neighbour if they ask for help
- A believer helps physical as well as financial
- A Muslim must provide relief to their neighbour
May Allah facilitate us to realize the rights of neighbours in the light of the Quran and Sunnah! Ameen
