Obligations Towards Her Neighbors-I
02/04/2009| IslamWeb
Adhering to the Islamic Teachings Regarding Neighbors
Islam strongly urges good treatment of neighbors and gives the neighbors such a high status, such as has never been equaled in any other religion or system before or since. One of the attributes of the Muslim woman who understands the teachings of her religion is that she treats her neighbors well and respects them..
Allah has clearly commanded the good treatment of neighbors in the Quran Saying (what means): {Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good - to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer [you meet], and what your right hands possess…}[Quran 4:36]
The "neighbor who is near" is one with whom one shares ties of kinship or religion; and the "neighbor who is a stranger" is one with whom one shares no such ties.
This applies to everyone whose home neighbors yours, even if you are not connected by kinship or religion. This honoring of the neighbors is an example of the tolerance promoted by Islam.
There are many prophetic narrations that enjoin good treatment of neighbors in general, regardless of kinship or religious factors, and confirm the importance of the neighborly relationship in Islam.
"Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, kept on enjoining the good treatment of neighbors to such an extent that I thought he would include neighbors as heirs." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] As much importance attached to treating them well, the Prophet 
thought that neighbors be given rights similar to kinship (i.e. of inheritance.)
thought that neighbors be given rights similar to kinship (i.e. of inheritance.) During the Farewell Pilgrimage speech, the Prophet highlighted the most important points of his teachings, he did not omit to mention neighbors and emphasized their rights. Abu Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I heard the Prophet while seated on his she-camel during the Farewell Pilgrimage, saying, `I enjoin you to treat your neighbors well,' and urging their good treatment so much that I thought, he is going to give them the rights of inheritance." [At-Tabaraani]
highlighted the most important points of his teachings, he did not omit to mention neighbors and emphasized their rights. Abu Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I heard the Prophet while seated on his she-camel during the Farewell Pilgrimage, saying, `I enjoin you to treat your neighbors well,' and urging their good treatment so much that I thought, he is going to give them the rights of inheritance." [At-Tabaraani]The Prophet also said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him treat his neighbors well …."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Another narration reads: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm or annoy his neighbors…"[Al-Bukhari] Good treatment of neighbor is enjoined at the beginning and is identified as a sign of belief true in Allah and the Last Day.
also said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him treat his neighbors well …."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Another narration reads: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm or annoy his neighbors…"[Al-Bukhari] Good treatment of neighbor is enjoined at the beginning and is identified as a sign of belief true in Allah and the Last Day. Wishing for Neighbors What She Wishes for Herself
A true Muslim woman is soft-hearted, easy-going and tolerant towards her neighbors; she is sensitive to everything that could disturb, annoy or offend them. She wishes for them what she wishes for herself, and she shares their joys and sorrows, in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet . Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no servant truly believes until he likes for his neighbors (or he said: his brother) what he likes for himself."[Muslim]
. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no servant truly believes until he likes for his neighbors (or he said: his brother) what he likes for himself."[Muslim]The true Muslim woman does not fail to think of her neighbors who may be faced with difficulties from time to time, so she gives them gifts occasionally. She recognizes that they may be affected by the smell of cooking or barbecues emanating from her house, and she understands their desire for delicious food which they may not be able to afford, so she sends some of it to them, thereby fulfilling the spirit of social responsibility which the Prophet encouraged in his words to Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him: "O Abu Tharr, if you cook some broth, add increase its water, and send some to your neighbors." [Muslim]
encouraged in his words to Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him: "O Abu Tharr, if you cook some broth, add increase its water, and send some to your neighbors." [Muslim]Her conscience will not let her ignore her neighbors' poverty. How can she do otherwise, when the words of the Prophet echo in her ears? "He is not a believer, who eats his fill while his neighbor is hungry."[At-Tabaraani and Abu Ya'la
echo in her ears? "He is not a believer, who eats his fill while his neighbor is hungry."[At-Tabaraani and Abu Ya'laTreating Neighbors in the Best Way
The true Muslim woman does whatever favors she can for her, no matter how insignificant they may appear. The Prophet drew the attention of women in particular to the importance of even the smallest gifts and favors between neighbors: "O Muslim women, do not think that any gift is too insignificant to give to neighbors, even if it is only a sheep's foot." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] A sheep's foot is a thing of little value, but it is better than nothing, and no woman should feel that any gift is not worth giving to a neighbors. Allah Says (what means): {"Then shall anyone who has done an atom's-weight of good, see it!"}[Quran 99:7]
drew the attention of women in particular to the importance of even the smallest gifts and favors between neighbors: "O Muslim women, do not think that any gift is too insignificant to give to neighbors, even if it is only a sheep's foot." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] A sheep's foot is a thing of little value, but it is better than nothing, and no woman should feel that any gift is not worth giving to a neighbors. Allah Says (what means): {"Then shall anyone who has done an atom's-weight of good, see it!"}[Quran 99:7]On the other hand, no (female) neighbors should scorn the gift given to her by other (female) neighbors, even if it is just s sheep's foot. Rather, she should thank her for it, because gratitude engenders friendship among neighbors and encourages mutual support and help. This is in addition to the fact that thanking people for favors is a basic Islamic trait which the Prophet strongly encouraged: "The one who does not give thanks to people does not give thanks to Allah."[Al-Bukhari-Al-Adab Al-Mufrad]
strongly encouraged: "The one who does not give thanks to people does not give thanks to Allah."[Al-Bukhari-Al-Adab Al-Mufrad]Islam wants to spread mutual love and affection among neighbors. The ways in which people may achieve this are many, and include the exchange of gifts. Hence the Prophet forbade women, in particular, to look down on any gift that she may give to or receive from her neighbors, no matter how small, because women are very sensitive in such matters this may affect her feelings towards her neighbors. Thus he drew women's attention to the fact that what matters is the noble and worthy thought behind the gift, not the material value of the gift itself. The Muslim woman should not forget this and think any gift is too insignificant, because in Islam thoughts and intentions are more important than material values.
forbade women, in particular, to look down on any gift that she may give to or receive from her neighbors, no matter how small, because women are very sensitive in such matters this may affect her feelings towards her neighbors. Thus he drew women's attention to the fact that what matters is the noble and worthy thought behind the gift, not the material value of the gift itself. The Muslim woman should not forget this and think any gift is too insignificant, because in Islam thoughts and intentions are more important than material values. Treating Her non-Muslim Neighbors Well
The true Muslim woman does not restrict her good treatment only to Neighbors who are related to her or who are Muslims, but she extends it to non-Muslim neighbors too, in accordance with the tolerant teachings of Islam which encourage kindness towards all people, regardless of their race of religion, so long as they do not commit any acts of hostility or aggression towards Muslims: {"Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for [your] Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just."}[Quran60:8]
On the basis of this, 'Abdullaah ibn `Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, asked his slave, after slaughtering a sheep, "Did you give some to our Jewish neighbors? Did you give some to our Jewish neighbors? For I heard the Messenger of Allah say, `Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, kept on enjoining the good treatment of neighbors to such an extent that I thought he would include neighbors as heirs.'"[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
say, `Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, kept on enjoining the good treatment of neighbors to such an extent that I thought he would include neighbors as heirs.'"[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]How great is the mercy of Islam towards all people, and how kind is its concern towards those who live under its shade! History bears witness to the fact that the People of the Book have lived alongside Muslims in many regions of the Islamic world, secure in the knowledge that they, their honor and their wealth were safe, enjoying a good neighborly relationship, good treatment and freedom of worship, Their ancient churches still exist in Muslim villages clinging to mountaintops, surrounded by thousands of Muslims who uphold the well-being of their Jewish and Christian neighbors.
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