Being Muslims, we have a duty to be attentive, kindhearted, and loving neighbors, regardless of who lives in our community. Taking both verses from the Holy Quran, as well as Hadiths from our Prophet, Islamic traditions teach us to take care of those around us.
Let’s consider 10 verses of the Holy Quran, as well as the Hadiths of our Prophet Muhammad PBUH, which remind us that in order to be true worshippers of Allah, we must care and love those around us in this world:
1) Doing good to neighbors who may even be strangers.
Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer, and what your right hands possess.
(The Holy Quran, an-Nisa 4:36)
2) Treating one’s neighbor with respect and duty.
When asked what the rights of the neighbor are, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) answered:
The least of a neighbor’s rights on him is that if he asks him for a loan he should grant it to him. If he asks for help, he should help him and if he wants to borrow something from him, he should lend it to him. If he needs him to donate something to him, he should do so. If he invites him, he should accept his invitation. If he gets sick, he should go and visit him. If he passes away, he should attend his funeral procession.
(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, 2:79)
3) The nearest and then next nearest neighbour
Al-Hasan was asked about the neighbour and said:
The term ‘neighbour’ includes the forty houses in front a person, the forty houses behind him, the forty houses on his right and the forty houses on his left.
(al-Adab al-Mufrad, 06:09)
4) Those who fulfill the rights of neighbors are blessed.
After describing the rights of neighbors, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have stated:
Listen to what I tell you. Only a few people who are blessed by Allah’s Mercy fulfill the rights of neighbors. Allah enjoined on me the rights of the neighbor to the extent that I thought He would appoint him as an heir.
(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, 2:79)
5) Respecting neighbors is a duty upon Muslims.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated:
Whoever believes in Allah and the Final Day should not trouble his neighbors.
(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, 2:78-79)
6) Be kind to your neighbors
Abu Shurayh al-Khuza’i reported that the Prophet PBUH, said:
“Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should be good to his neighbours. Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should be generous to his guest. Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should be say what is good or be silent”.
(al-Adab al-Mufrad, 06:02)
7) Helping out a neighbor in need may end up helping you as well.
Treating one’s neighbors with kindness and being a good neighbor will result in an increase in one’s share of daily bread and the development of towns.
(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, 2:78-79)
8) Not troubling your neighbors.
The Prophet is reported to have stated in regards to not troubling or intimidating one’s neighbors:
The neighbor because of whom one locks the door, out of fear for one’s family and wealth, is not a believer.
(Tafsir-i-Namunah, 3:380-381)
9) You must not bother your neighbors.
Abu Hurayra said:
“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, ‘Messenger of Allah! A certain woman prays in the night, fasts in the day, acts and gives sadaqa, but injures her neighbours with her tongue.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘There is no good in her. She is one of the people of the Fire.’ They said, ‘Another woman prays the prescribed prayers and gives bits of curd as sadaqa and does not injure anyone.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘She is one of the people of the Garden'”.
(al-Adab al-Mufrad, 06:19)
10) Islam means helping your community and neighbors.
A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.
(al-Adab al-Mufrad, 06:12)
