Rights of Neioughers

Apart from a man's parents, children and near relatives, there also exists a permanent association and contact between him and his neighbors. The state of his association - be it good or otherwise has a great influence on his life and morals. The Prophet (PBUH) had attached great importance to this and has constantly urged the Ummah to pay due regard to the rights of neighbors to the extent that he had declared good neighborliness to be part of Iman (Faith).

And be good to the neighbour who is your relative and to the neighbour who is not a relative . . . (Qur'an, 4:36)

 Islam , the religion of humanity, has come to spread the message of peace among mankind. It has given every creature its due rights. It has also prescribed punishment for violation of these rights. It is on record that the blessed

Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said,
 “a woman entered hell on account of maltreatment of cat which she tied down without giving her food until she died while another entered paradise by giving a thirsty dog water to drink.”
If this is the punishment for violating animals’ rights what do you think will be the consequence of infringement of other human’s rights?

Allah says

"Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.'' (4:36)


Islam has great respect for the mutual rights and duties of neighbours. The Holy Prophet said:


Jibra'1 always used to advise me to be generous with neighbours, till I thought that Allah was going to include the neighbours among the heirs of a Muslim.

Kinds of Neighours:

In a Hadith, related by Jabir (R.A.), the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said

Neighbors are of three kinds.

Firstly, the neighbor who enjoys only one right (and as far as rights are concerned) he is of the lowest grade
Secondly, the one who enjoys two rights.
thirdly the neighbor who enjoys three rights.

The neighbor with only one right is:
A non-Muslim neighbor with whom there are no family ties.

The neighbor with two rights is:
A neighbour who is muslim neighbor but not relative.

The neighour with three rights is:
A neighour who is muslim and also your ralitive.


Kindness to a Non-Muslim NeighborThe neighbor holds a special status in Islam. Islam encourages Muslims to treat their neighbors in a gentle way that reflects the true and genuine spirit of Islam as exemplified in its tolerant aspect especially with people of other faiths. It makes no difference whether the neighbors are Muslim or non-Muslim. Ayesha, the Mother of the Believers, stated that she once asked Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! I have two neighbors. To whom shall I send my gifts?" Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "To the one whose gate is nearer to you."


 

Hadiat on Neighours:

Narrated Samurah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A neighbour has the best claim to the house or land of the neighbour. - Sunan Abu Dawood, 1556
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The best friend in the sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours. Transmitted by Tirmidhi. - Al-Tirmidhi, Number 120

Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed: He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct. - Sahih Muslim, 15
Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 45

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should talk what is good or keep quiet." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 158

Narrated Abu Shuraih Al Adawi: My ears heard and my eyes saw the Prophet when he spoke, "Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his neighbor generously, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his guest generously by giving him his reward." It was asked. "What is his reward, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "(To be entertained generously) for a day and a night with high quality of food and the guest has the right to be entertained for three days (with ordinary food) and if he stays longer, what he will be provided with will be regarded as Sadaqa (a charitable gift). And anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet (i.e. abstain from all kinds of dirty and evil talks)." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 48
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The best companion in Allah's estimation is the one who is best to his companion, and the best neighbour in Allah's estimation is the one who is best to his neighbour." Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan gharib tradition. - Al-Tirmidhi, Number 1287

It is narrated by Abu Shurayh (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said

    "Whoever believes in Allah and the final day (Day of Judgment) it is essential that he does not harm his neighbors and whoever believes in Allah and the final Day it is essential for him to entertain his guest with kindness and generosity and whoever believes in Allah and the Final Day it is essential that he speak what is good or otherwise remain silent."

Amongst other points this Hadith explains that it is essential for the true believer to be mindful of his neighbors at all times so that he does not harm him in any way. It also gives us an idea of the value placed on the rights of neighbors by the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).

In another Hadith related by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) the Prophet (PBUH) said,

    "By Allah, he is not a true believer, By Allah, he is not a true believer, By Allah, he is not a true believer (three times). He was asked 'Who?" Upon which he replied, "The one whose neighbors do not feel secure from his mischief and evil.

The construction and manner of the Hadith shows how agitated the Prophet (PBUH) must have been when he said this. The essence contained in this Hadith is that the Muslim whose character is such that his neighbors expect nothing but evil from him and they live in fear of being hurt or harmed by him, cannot be regarded as a true and faithful believer - he doesn't deserve the title of Muslim or Mu'min. On another occasion the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said that such a person (whose neighbors do not feel safe on his account) shall not go to Heaven.



Recommendation to treat neighbor well
    Mother of the believers Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Jibril kept recommending me to treat my neighbor well until I thought that he would tell me to make him one of my heirs"
    (Bukhari:6014)

    Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`I, May Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent".
    (Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 1: The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman), Number 0078