Neighbours

TREATING THE NEIGHBOURS

It is the bounden duty of every Muslim to refrain from saying anything or doing anything, which may be a source of trouble to his neighbour. Islam’s approach to life is not non-social. Islam no doubt makes man stand in the presence of the Rabb as an individual, but he is never isolated from other men. The distress which vexes him is not his own only; it is that of his brethren as well; the redemption for which he longs for is also the redemption of his people, his fellow-believers, nay, the entire humanity. It is the duty of a Muslim not only to lead a peaceful life himself, but also to create a social atmosphere where every man feels secure from the tyranny of the oppressors.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” (Muslim) The term “wrongful conduct” covers all injurious treatments and malevolent or mischievous dispositions.

Sayyidah Ayesha reported that the Beloved Habeeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Sayyiduna Jibra’eel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbours kindly and politely, so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs”. (Bukhari)

Sayyiduna Abu Shuraih reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah 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 neighbour does not feel safe from his evil.” (Bukhari)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra reported that the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk).” (Bukhari)

Sayyidah Ayesha reported: “I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! I have two neighbours. To whom shall I send my gifts?’ He said, ‘To the one whose gate is nearer to you’”. (Bukhari)

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) himself was ready to forego his own comforts for the sake of his neighbours. His treatment towards his close neighbours and the As’haab-e-Suffah was very cordial, friendly and sympathetic. Once Sayyiduna Ali asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) for a maidservant for Sayyidah Fatima, his daughter. He said: “As yet, the companions of Suffah have not been provided for.”