As Muslims, it remains an important duty on all our parts to ensure we are vigilant, compassionate, and loving neighbours no matter who may live in our communities. Taking verses from the Holy Quran as well as hadith from the Holy Prophet, Islamic traditions teach us the beauty in living a life caring for those around us.
Here are verses from the Glorious Quran as well as Hadith of our holy Prophet Mohammed that remind us that to be true worshippers of God, we must be caring and loving for those around us in this world:
1) Doing good to neighbours who may even be strangers
“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer, and what your right hands possess.” [Qur’an, 4:36]
2) Treating one’s neighbour with respect and duty
When asked what the rights of the neighbour are, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) answered: “The least of a neighbour’s rights on him is that if he asks him for a loan, he should grant it to him. If he asks for help, he should help him. If he wants to borrow something from him, he should lend it to him. If he needs him to donate something to him, he should do so. If he invites him, he should accept his invitation. If he gets sick, he should go and visit him. If he passes away, he should attend his funeral procession.” [Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, v.2, p.79]
3) Loving a neighbour like family
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said: “If he [a neighbour] receives some blessings, he should be happy and not envious of him. If a tragedy befalls him, he should grieve for his grief. He should not build a tall building in front of his dwelling which would trouble him due to it overlooking his house and obstructing the passage of breeze. If he is presented with some novelty in his house, then he should present him a part of it if he knows that he does not have something like it, otherwise he should conceal it from him and his family if he desires it for himself.” [Ditto]
4) Those who fulfil the rights of neighbours are blessed
After describing the rights of neighbours, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have stated: “Listen to what I tell you. Only a few people who are blessed by God’s Mercy fulfil the rights of neighbours. God enjoined on me the rights of the neighbour to the extent that I thought He would appoint him as an heir.” [Ditto]
5) Respecting neighbours is a duty upon Muslims
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated: “Whoever believes in God and the Final Day should not trouble his neighbours.” [Ditto]
6) One must not trouble their neighbours
In one narration, someone complained to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about his neighbour. The Prophet (SAW) reportedly turned his face away from him, and then stated to those around him: “Go and publicly announce that the curse of God and the angels is on one who troubles his neighbour.” [Ditto]
7) Believing in the Prophet means believing in helping out your community
“One who spends the night with a full stomach while his neighbour is hungry, has not believed in me. One who spends the night clothed, while his neighbour has no clothes, has not believed in me.” [Ditto]
Sources from Al-Islam
