The Neighbor’s Rights in Islām
Allāh, the Exalted, said: (Worship Allāh 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, Allāh does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.) (The Noble Quran 4:36)
The Prophet’s commandments pertaining the neighbor
Ibn Umar and Aishah (RAA) reported: Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) said: “ kept instructing me to treat neighbors with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance for them.” (Al-Bukhāri and Muslim)
Mischief to neighbors leads to the great decrease of Imān (Belief)
Abu Hurairah (RAA) reported:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “By Allāh, he does not believe! By Allāh, he does not believe! By Allāh, he does not believe. It was asked, Who is that, O Messenger of Allāh? He said, One whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil”. (Al-Bukhāri and Muslim)
Mischief to neighbors may lead to hell fire
Abu Hurairah (RAA) reported:
The Prophet (PBUH) was asked, Messenger of Allāh! A certain woman prays in the night, fasts in the day, acts and gives sadaqa (charity), but injures her neighbors with her tongue. The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) 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 charity and does not harm anyone. The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) said: She is one of the people of Paradise.” (Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, declared sound by Al-Albani)
Taking Care of Your Neighbor is a Prophetic Tradition
Abu Hurairah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) said: “Whoever believes in Allāh and the Last Day let him be generous to his neighbor” (Al-Bukhāri and Muslim)
Abu Dharr (RAA) narrated thatMessenger of Allāh (PBUH) commanded me thus, “O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and and give some of it to your neighbors.” (Muslim)
Amongst the rights of the neighbors
Keep your evil off him; such as: staring at his women; revealing his secrets; spying on him; backbiting or slandering him; putting garbage in his way; or disturbing him with noise.
Tolerate his mischief and react with kindness and good manners.
Express kindness and generosity to the neighbors; such as: giving salām (greetings); visiting the sick; helping the needy; condoling the grieved; enlightening the ignorant; and protecting his house in his absence.
