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 (RadiyAllahu anhuma) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu alaihi wa sallam) said: *”Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”.*
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith illustrates the importance of nice treatment to neighbours in Islam.
Abu Dharr (RadiyAllahu anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu alaihi wa sallam) commanded me thus: *”O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and and give some of it to your neighbours”.*
[Muslim]. In another narration of Muslim, narrated Abu Dharr (r.a.): My friend, (Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.)) advised me saying: *”Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and give some to your neighbours and then give them out of this with courtesy.”*
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith makes it clear that Islam does not like a Muslim to ignore his poor neighbour and eat up everything himself. It stresses that one must take care of his poor neighbours. If a person is not in a position to do more, he should at least add some water in the broth he cooks for his own food and send a portion of it to his deserving neighbour. It leads us to the conclusion that a Muslim should in no case be unmindful of his neighbour and if he is well-to-do, he should be all the more charitable to his neighbours.
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu anhu) reported: The Prophet (Sallellahu alaihi wa sallam) 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 (s.a.w.s.) said: *”He will not enter Jannah whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct”.*
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith reveals that hurting or troubling a neighbour is such a serious offence that it causes Allah’s Wrath, and thus punishment in Hell.
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu alaihi wa sallam) said: *”O Muslim women! No one of you should consider insignificant (a gift) to give to her neighbour even if it is (a gift of) the trotters of a sheep”.*
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith means that neighbours should present gifts to 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.