The religion of Islam, as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad, urges kind and considerate treatment towards our neighbours. They deserve our respect and good treatment regardless of their religion, race or colour.The men and women around Prophet Muhammad were constantly reminded of their obligations to God and to one another. Islam engourages Muslims to be kind to their neighbours, to protect them, help them, be kind to them and not to spy on them.
Allah, the Exalted, says:”Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” (4:36)
Ibn `Umar and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
This Hadith illustrates the importance of nice treatment to neighbours in Islam. Islam does not like a Muslim to ignore his poor neighbor. It stresses that one must take care of his neighbours specially if one knows they are poor. It leads us to the conclusion that a Muslim should in no case be unmindful of his neighbors and if he is well-to-do, he should be all the more charitable to his neighbours.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He will not enter Jannah whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct”.
This Hadith reveals that hurting or troubling a neighbour is such a serious offense that it causes Allah’s Wrath, and thus punishment in Hell.
Islam also encourages neighbours to gift each other. The rich men and the poor according to their means. One who is poor should not think that what he is presenting to his neighbour is not worthy of giving. Even his humble gift, provided it is presented with sincerity, will find acceptance with Allah. According to the Noble Qur’an: “So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an ant (or a small ant) shall see it.” (99:7)
It is, however, better for a rich person to present a gift which goes well with his means. He should not give anything to his neighbour which is stale or which he does not like for himself because apart from insincerity, such a thing shows his contempt for the neighbour while gift is, in fact, a token of sincerity and brotherhood.
Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent”. [Muslim].
`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), I have two neighbours, to which of them should I send a present?” He (PBUH) replied, “To the one whose door is nearer to you”. [Al-Bukhari].
When a Muslim does not have the means to present gifts to his neighbours and wants to present a gift only to one of them, he should go by the principle laid down in this Hadith. The principle enunciated here is: “One who is the nearest neighbour, should have precedence over all others.”
`Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour”. [At-Tirmidhi].
Companion is a common word which covers companions in journey and stay. Muslims are ordained to treat all of them nicely. But one’s neighbour has precedence over others. Nice treatment to him is the best means to attain a distinctive place with Allah.