[ScosyGissiok]

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم


A`ūdhu billāhi min ash-shaitāni r-rajīm
b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm

everyone,

To get a better handle on this important subject, I would like to start an exercise where anyone who would like to contribute:

• posts no more than 50 words (not including Qur'an and Hadeeth references)
• includes reference source in parenthesis under their comment
• waits until at least 1 other person gets a chance to post something before making another point

Let's see how much Islamic information we can gather here on the topic.

Please note: the intention for this thread is to learn and share information. Kindly keep posts within the parameters outlined above.

Insha'Allah, I will start the thread off with my next post.

[ScosyGissiok]

Regardless of who they are (Muslim or not, rich or poor, black or white...), in Islam our neighbours have rights.

(Source: class notes/commentary based on Chapter 39, hadeeth 303 in Aisha Bewley's translation of Riyad as-Salihin by an-Nawawi)

[77Dinaartickire]

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 an essential requisite for salvation.

Three Categories Of Neighbors

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 and thirdly the neighbor who enjoys three rights.

The neighbor with only one right is the Polytheist (i.e. a non-Muslim neighbor with whom there are no family ties). The neighbor with two rights is the neighbor who is also a Muslim (as such he has a claim as a neighbor as well as a fellow Muslim) and the one with three rights is the neighbor who is a Muslim and a Relative - he has a claim as a neighbor, as a fellow Muslim and as a relative".

This Hadith clearly explains that the obligation to live in peace and harmony with neighbors, as demanded in the Holy Quran and the Traditions, also includes the non-Muslim neighbors. They too have a claim to our kindness and sympathy. We treat the animals with kindness and we have been warned against ill treating them, then what of our fellow humans - more so our neighbors. It will be significant to note that in all Ahadith Traditions mentioned, with regards to the basic rights of neighbors, no distinction had been made between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Emphasis On The Rights Of Neighbors

It is reported, on the authority of Ayesha (R.A.) and Ibn Umar (R.A.) that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said "The Angel Jibra'il (A.S.) counseled me so frequently regarding the rights of the neighbor that I feared, he too would be declared an heir."

This Hadith shows that Angel Jibra'il (A.S.) brought commandments from Allah, concerning the rights of the neighbor so frequently and stressed the need to be kind and courteous to him with such force and regularity that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) thought that the neighbor also will be made an heir i.e. just as parents, children and near relatives inherit the property left by the deceased, he thought that the neighbor, too, will be given a share in it.

Note:- The purpose of this Hadith is not merely to state a fact, but rather it is most effective way of highlighting the importance of the neighbor to the Muslims.

http://www.itsislam.net/articles/rig..._neighbors.asp

[ScosyGissiok]

[EDIT: Sister but please... let's try to keep to the 50 word limit to give others a chance to add to the list. I had hoped the exercise would be interactive insha'Allah - not just here but while looking up info and examples.]

[ScosyGissiok]

Causing any kind of trouble or harm to a neighbour, in any way, is a very serious offence in Islam. Such a Muslim is still in the fold of Islam (is still Muslim), but may suffer in the hereafter (punishment in jahannam before reward in jannah).

(Source: class notes/commentary based on Chapter 39, hadeeth 305 in Aisha Bewley's translation of Riyad as-Salihin by an-Nawawi)

[viagraman]

1. Deal with him with goodness and leniency.
2. Protect the honour of his family.
3. From time to time send him and his family gifts. You must help him with some food, if they are reduced to starvation.

(Muslim Way of Life by Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, pg 12)

[zoolissentesy]

We seldom think whether our neighbours had food or not.

Ibn 'Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr, "I heard the Prophet say,
'A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.'"
[Adab Al Mufrad Bukhari]

More hadith on neighbours here: http://www.sunnipath.com/library/Hadith/H0003P0006.aspx

[ConoMadura]

They have the right to receive da'wah. May Allah SWT give us all the strength and courage to fulfill that right. Amin.

Barak Allah ta'aala.

[ScosyGissiok]

Give gifts to your neighbours according to your ability and with sincere intentions. The gift you choose should be something you would want and use yourself (sincerity). Insh'Allah by doing so the exchange will put love in hearts or increase the love.

(Source: class notes/commentary related to Chapter 39, hadeeth 306 in Aisha Bewley's translation of Riyad as-Salihin by an-Nawawi)

[Rjvpicux]

Are the people you sit next to at work also considered neighbours? We do spend a considerable number of hours at work?

[Effopsytupt]

In a 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 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.

(Source: http://www.itsislam.net/articles/rig..._neighbors.asp)

[ScosyGissiok]

Are the people you sit next to at work also considered neighbours? We do spend a considerable number of hours at work?

This is a good question. I don't know the answer though I would guess... on second thought I won't guess. Please, could someone with knowledge provide some insight with sources?

everyone for your contributions and please keep them coming (including questions and maybe even examples).

[ScosyGissiok]

If our neighbour wants to change something in their home, a change that may or may not be noticeable to us (as long as it does not impact us negatively), we should not stop them or stand in their way. Example: neighbour wants to build an addition to their home.

(Source: from class notes/commentary based on Chapter 39, hadeeth 307 in Aisha Bewley's translation of Riyad as-Salihin by an-Nawawi)