Special Rights of Neighbours in Islamic Scriptures, the Quran and Hadith
By S.
Arshad, New Age Islam
18 December
2020
Islam has
laid special emphasis on individual as well as collective rights of the people.
It has laid down principles for good relationship between different groups of
people so that peace, harmony and order can be established and maintained in
the society. Islam stresses on fellow-feeling, love and sympathy among the
members of society and while doing so, it does not discriminate between Muslims
and non-Muslims.
Among the
rights of different sections of the society, the rights of the neighbours
assume special importance in both Quran and Hadith. The Quran asks Muslims to
treat the neighbours well and not to cause them pain or trouble. According to
the Quran, neighbours fall in two categories --- Next door neighbours and distant
neighbours (Jar-e-zil qurba and jar il junub). In Surah Al Nisa:36, the holy
Quran says:
"....and
be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours,
close friends and travellers."
The Hadiths
also lay emphasis on good treatment of the neighbours. There are a number of
hadiths that enjoin Muslims to be kind to the neighbours. Here is a hadith:
Hazrat
Ayesha narrated, the holy prophet pbuh said that Gabriel repeatedly instructed
me to treat the neighbours so much so that I thought he would make them
successors (inheritors). (Sahih Bukhari, Babul Adab 580)
According
to another hadith:
Hazrat
Shareeh narrated, the holy Prophet said By Allah! By Allah! By Allah! One
cannot be a Muslim if his neighbours fear torture by him. (Sahih Bukhari, Babul
Adab 581)
Another
hadith narrated by Hazrat Ayesha r.a.: She said to the holy Prophet pbuh that
she had two neighbours. Whom should she send the share to? The holy Prophet
pbuh replied, to one whose door is nearer to yours. (Sahih Bukhari, Babul Adab
584)
Here the
next door neighbour should be given preference if some gift or the share of
sacrificial meat is to be distributed and one cannot give gift or sacrificial
meat to all his neighbours. In this case, jar-e-zil qurba (next door neighbour)
will be prefered.
But in
terms of treatment, a Muslim will always keep the wellbeing of all his
neighbours in mind. He will not cause any discomfort or harassment to any of
his neighbours, near or distant.
Therefore,
Islam has clear cut guidelines on the treatment of neighbours. One cannot be a
true Muslim unless he cares for the wellbeing or comfort of his neighbours
irrespective of his religion, caste or sect.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/special-rights-neighbours-islamic-scriptures,/d/123803
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