[Umm Mohammad]

The Right of Neighbor

A neighbor is a relatively close individual, at least in the location. A neighbor enjoys a tremendous right in Islam. Islam places neighbors into three categories

1- A neighbor who enjoys three rights
a) The rights of a neighbor
b) The right of a relative, if he / she are related
c) The rights of Islam, if that person is a Muslim, a brother in faith and belief

2- A neighbor who enjoys two rights:
a) The rights of a neighbor,
b) The rights of Islam, if that person is a Muslim, a brother in faith and belief.

3- A neighbor who enjoys one right:
a) The rights of a neighbor.

All neighbors fall under one of these three categories. In fact, Allah, the Almighty stated in the glorious Quran

“ Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents, kinfolks, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near , neighbors who are strangers , the companion by your side, the wayfarer ( ye meet) , and what your right hands possess.”4:36

Moreover , Allah’s Apostle , Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam says “ (Arch Angel) Gabriel , Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam, pressed on reminding me with the right of the neighbor until I thought he is going to consider him an heir - of mine) This Hadith is reported by both Bukhari and Muslim

A neighbor is entitled to best treatment and respect from his own neighbor regardless of the cost of such items. Allah’s Apostle, Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam stated in another Hadith: “The best of neighbor s in the sight of Allah, the Almighty, is the one who is best to his neighbor” This Hadith is reported by Tirmithee

Let us examine other Hadith : “ He whosever believes in Allah’s Apostle , Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam and the final Day of Judgment must be good to his neighbor.” This Hadith is reported by Muslim. Of course, this hadith is self-explanatory as it ties in good faith and strong belief with the state of being good to one’s own neighbors. This is an act of high consideration to the social ties in society as the neighborhood represents an essential nucleus or part of the society at large. Islam does not neglect such important rights of immediate neighbors who at, at times becomes closer than relatives or the distant family members. One may see his neighbors more than he sees his family members. In terms of pressing needs and things that require prompts attention and immediate help, assistance or solutions, a distant relative or far away family member would be helpless and may be useless. A neighbor is close and comes immediately to the rescue of his needy neighbor would be of tremendous help and value. This is one of the reasons why Islam capitalizes on the ties and relationship of neighbors

Allah’s Apostle, Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam said:” if you make soup, increase the broth, and pass a bowl to your neighbor.” This Hadith is reported by Muslim. This Hadith shows the importance of good relations with our neighbors, and at the same time strengthen ties and relations with neighbors

A little occasional gift, a small symbolic present, on various occasions will also strengthen ties and relationships between neighbors. Islam urges believers to be kind, generous to their own neighbors

One of the essential rights of a neighbor is to cause no physical, mental or spiritual harm to him. Allah’s Apostle, Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam said: “By Allah, one will not become a full believer, by Allah, one will nor become!” the companions, Radhi Allahu Anhuma said: “Who is that. O Prophet of Allah”? He, Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam said “He whose neighbor cannot feel save of his ill deeds and bad actions.” This Hadith is reported by Muslim

This Hadith reflects the importance of being good, kind, nice and caring for your neighbors at large. Such an act enables man to assure himself of being on the right track for paradise; otherwise, one will be subjecting his soul to torture in Hellfire

It is very unfortunate to notice nowadays that many neighbors do not really care for the welfare and the well being of their neighbors neither physically, mentally or spiritually. They may be at constant fight, harassment, disturbance and nag to them. They might step on their own natural rights as humans and society members. They might neglect them, bother them and not offer them the least human courtesy

Islam urges its followers to maintain such an essential rights of a neighbor, encourages and maintain it, reward it, threatens with a serve punishment for trespassing and makes it a viable, vital and extremely important right

The best social system on the Earth, the most exhaustive and comprehensive rules and regulations and the strictest political system cannot reach the level of Islam in this regard for the simplest fact that Islam is set forth for human society at large by the Creator of all mankind, Who Knows best what benefits man or harms him. That is the law of innate nature that Allah, the Almighty, created man for