Rules of a Muslim Home (#10) - Kindness to One's Neighbour (Part One)

Rules of a Muslim Home (#10) - Kindness to One's Neighbour (Part One) Among the important rules of a Muslim home is being kind and considerate to one’s neighbours. There are numerous ahaadeeth that explain the rights of the neighbour. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had once mentioned: “Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) has been repeatedly stressing upon me the rights of the neighbour to such an extent that I thought the neighbour would soon be made to inherit in one’s estate.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6014) Once the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) enquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam): “What are the rights of the neighbour?” He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied: 1. Give him a loan if he seeks a loan. 2. Assist him when he asks for assistance. 3. Visit him when he is ill. 4. Help him if he is needy. 5. Give him financial assistance if he is poor. 6. Congratulate him on happy occasions. 7. Console him in adversity. 8. Accompany his funeral when he dies. 9. Do not build your house higher than his without his permission lest his ventilation may be obstructed. 10. Do not inconvenience him with the fragrance of your food unless you share some with him. 11. If you buy fruit, send some for him. If you cannot do so, take the fruit into your house concealed so that he cannot see it. Do not allow your children to take it out and eat openly in case his children see it and become grieved. (Fathul Baari vol. 10, pg. 547)

In another hadeeth it is mentioned that once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) took an oath thrice saying, “By Allah, he is not a Believer, By Allah, he is not a Believer, By Allah, he is not a Believer.” Someone asked, “Who is not a Believer?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who’s neighbour is not safe from his ill-treatment.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6016)