Eman Sakina

Man is a social animal. This fact sheet provides an overview of human life and the connections between it. Men and women both possess factual abilities that are imprecisely realized in the absence of social contact.

At the top of Islamic social rights lay the right of neighbours. It is the right that the Prophet adopted since the early days of his Prophet-hood.

Friday Musings

Almighty Allah has stressed special rights for neighbours more than others. It includes good treatment and kindness to them.

Allah says, “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess… (An-Nisaa’ 4:36)

Moreover, the Prophet linked good treatment towards one’s neighbours to the Muslim faith and made it a sign of perfect or weak faith. He said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should do good to his neighbour and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to the guest and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or better remain silent.”

All texts of revelation have stressed good treatment, kindness, cooperation, sharing happiness and sorrow, and mercifulness towards neighbours, regardless of their religion. This right has been repeated in revelation to the Prophet once and once again until he thought that there will be a share of inheritance to the neighbours.

The Prophet said, “Gabriel impressed upon me (the kind treatment) towards the neighbour (so much) that I thought as if he would soon confer upon him the (right) of inheritance.”

All human beings have descended from Eve and Adam; therefore, Muslims believe in Brotherhood and suppose the entire Humanity as a family. Then, there is no way to generate the concept of superiority over one another except based on “Taqwa” (fear of God). In the world, everything is interconnected and society depends on the behaviour and interaction among people. It urges neighbours to create social ties where one can rely on other and to ensure that existence, dignity and asserts are secure among neighbours.

Prophet Muhammed once said the same praise three times, “by Allah, he is not a believer” in front of People, then to complete his statement he further added, “those whose Neighbours do not feel safe from their evil acts.” It shows the importance and value of Neighbourhood in Islam.

To maintain the peaceful environment of the community, it is declared in Islam to take care of your Neighbours because then in return they also do the same, and in this way, we may fulfil needs of each other.

Look after and be aware about the situation of neighbours is also our responsibility because it is mentioned in Hadith that if we are not doing such deeds then God will not consider us a believer in the life hereafter. The Messenger of Allah, says:" He is not a believer who eats his fill whilst his neighbour beside him goes hungry."

Islam advises mankind that whatever you get from your Neighbour’s house, you should always accept it with respect even if it is a sheep’s foot. Because Islam just wants to maintain love and respect among Neighbours.

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All the above verses and hadiths are declaring the importance of neighbours. Thus, by giving great rights to neighbours, Islam is showing the perfect example of humanity.