By: islamichorizon.co.za
Source: islamichorizon.co.za
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
وصلى الله على النبي الكريم
Without any doubt, the teachings and morals codes of Islām promote a decent way of life which is conducive to the set-up of a righteous and wholesome society. Allāh Ta’ālā has placed varying rights upon every individual, for some less and for others more, which may be summarized in two categories:
Huqūqul ‘Ibād – rights and dues owed to the creation
Huqūqullah – rights and dues owed to Allāh Ta’ālā our creator
For example, a working person has to fulfill the rights of his co-workers, subordinates, employers etc. along the rights of his own family and society. On the other hand a stay-at-home mom has to fulfill the rights of her husband, children, parents, in-laws, etc. Besides the rights of Allāh Ta’ālā and those of specific individuals, many a time we tend to forget the rights of one particular group of people… OUR NEIGHBOURS… A common proverb states: ‘Seek a good neighbour before seeking the house.’
AHĀDITH EMPHASIZING KINDNESS TOWARDS NEIGHBOURS
1. In a Hadīth Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: ‘Jibraīl (Alayhis-Salam) always recommended treating neighbours with kindness until I thought that Allāh Ta’ālā would assign a share of inheritance to them.’ [Al-Bukhari]
2. Sayyidinā Abdullah Ibn Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrates that he heard Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) saying:
The best companions according to Allāh Ta’ālā are those who are the best with their friends, and the best neighbours according to Allāh Ta’ālā are those who are the best with their neighbours. (Tirmidhi Shareef)
Mistreating ones neighbours is an act of Jāhiliyyah:
When Ja‘far Ibn Abi Tālib (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) was asked by Najashi (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) , the king of Abyssinia about the principles of the new religion, he said: ‘We were ignorant people before Islām we used to worship idols, partake of carrion; commit adultery; severe family ties; mistreat our neighbours and the strong used to oppress the weak.’ [Musnad Ahmad]
Kindness towards neighbours leads to the forgiveness of Allāh
Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: ‘whoever has three witnesses from his neighbours that testify of his goodness on the Day of Judgment, Allāh Ta’ālā will say: ‘I accept their testimonies for what they know and I forgive his sins that I only know of.’[Musnad Ahmad]
Good treatment to neighbours is a sign of Īmān.
1. Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “ By Allāh, he is not a believer! By Allāh, he is not a believer! By Allāh, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allāh?” He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil.” [Bukhari Shareef and Muslim Shareef]
2. Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “He who believes in Allāh and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allāh and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allāh and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
How to treat one’s neighbours:
• Among the good acts towards neighbours is to be generous with them. Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) once told Abu Dharr (RadhiyAllahu Anhu): “O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare gravy, share with your neighbour even if you have to add extra water to it.”
This makes it clear that Islām encourages us not to disregard our neighbours. The teachings of Islām stresses that one must take care of his neighbours, this Hadīth does not imply that one must always increase the amount of water in gravies, soups and other food items when intending to share with one’s neighbours but the actual emphasis in this Hadīth is about being generous towards one’s neighbours.
• Give them gifts.
Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “O Muslim women! No one of you should consider any gift insignificant to give to her neighbour even if it is just the trotters of a sheep.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] `
The mother of the believers, Sayyidatinā Aishah (RadhiyAllahu Anha) has narrated that she asked Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam): “O Messenger of Allāh (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salla), I have two neighbours, to which of them should I send a present?”
Rasūlullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) replied: “To the one whose door is nearer to you.’ [Al-Bukhari]
Summary of the rights of neighbours:
Our neighbours must be safe and secure. We must not hurt them verbally and physically.To be kind and noble towards them by exchanging gifts as these small acts of kindness creates friendship and are bound to eradicate hatred.Non-Muslims neighbours have certain rights upon us which must be fulfilled. Be respectful, kind and honourable to them as these are their rights.
To love for your neighbour what you love for yourself
To preserve his secrets and personal affairs.
To respect and honour his family i.e. his wife and children
Regarding non-Muslim neighbours, we must approach them with kindness and such character which exemplifies Islām and Islāmic manners. Some guidelines regarding non-Muslim neighbours:
- Every sort of interaction or dealings must be within the perimeters of the shariah.
- Being good to your neighbours is not only restricted to those who share the same building with you. Your roommate is your neighbour; the person sitting behind you or next to you on a bus or at a bus-stop is also your neighbour; the one sharing your office at work is also your neighbour.
- In dealing with neighbours, one must deal with those of the same gender as oneself.
- While socializing with non-Muslims, be cautious of becoming too lenient at the expense of our Deen.
- Your Islāmi Akhlāq (character) will impress Islām upon them and they will see if we are living the life we are talking about… there must not be any contradiction in our statements and actions.
Abdullah Ibn Mubarak’s (Rahimahullah) neighbour was a Jew. He would feed him and take care of him. Someone said to the Jew: “Sell us your house.” He answered: “My house is for two thousand Dīnārs.”
The potential buyer was shocked and exclaimed that usually such houses are worth a thousand Dīnārs only. The Jew replied: “One thousand is for the price of the house and one thousand is for having Ibn Mubarak as a neighbour!” Ibn Mubārak (Rahimahullah) heard of this and exclaimed: “O’ Allāh, guide him to Islām.” Allāh Ta’ālā accepted the Duā of Ibn Mubārak (Rahimahullah) and eventually the Jew entered the fold of Islām.