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Love Thy Neighbour Episode 17 [transcript]

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Hi everyone, this is Tasneem.

In this episode, we’ll be talking about caring for our neighbors.

Islam puts great emphasis on our duty towards neighbors. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that Angel Jibril continuously urged him to take care of his neighbors, so much so that he thought God would assign them a share in his inheritance. The Prophet said:

“Jibril kept on recommending me to treat my neighbors kindly and politely, so that I thought that God would order me to make them my heirs.”

The significance of caring for neighbors reached such a degree that loving goodness for one’s neighbor is considered a part of faith in Islam. The Prophet said:

“By the one in whose hands my soul is, no slave of God has true faith unless he likes for his neighbor what he likes for himself.”

The Prophet also said:

“Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should serve his neighbor generously.”

The Quran emphasizes our duties towards neighbors in chapter 4, verse 36:

“Serve God and ascribe no partner to Him. Do good to your parents, to near kin, to orphans, and to the needy, and to the neighbor who is of kin, and to the neighbor who is estranged, and to the companion by your side.”

An article published by the Zakat Foundation of America describes a Muslim’s duty toward their neighbor, such as:

  • Helping neighbors if they ask for help, including lending them money if needed.
  • Not blocking their view by extending your house without their permission.
  • Not harassing or harming them in any way.

The Prophet strictly warned Muslims against harming their neighbors. He said:

“By God, he is not a believer! By God, he is not a believer! By God, he is not a believer!”

It was asked:
“Who, O Messenger of God?”
He replied:
“One whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.”

A Muslim is also expected to visit and care for their neighbor, especially in times of need or distress. The Messenger said:

“He who spends the night satiated while knowing that his next-door neighbor is hungry does not truly believe in Me.”

Other duties towards neighbors include:

  • Attending their funeral and helping if asked to.
  • Grieving with them if a calamity befalls them.
  • Congratulating them if they are met with good fortune.
  • Not being on the lookout for their faults. If you happen to know of something undesirable about your neighbor, it is not acceptable to disclose it to others or gossip about it.

All of the above defines the duties of Muslims towards their neighbors, regardless of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or cultural background. Islam also teaches Muslims to be good not only to close neighbors but to distant neighbors as well. Neighbors can include roommates in a college dorm, the person sitting next to you on a bus, or a colleague sharing an office at work. We ought to treat all these people kindly and with respect.

There are several narrations of the Prophet encouraging his companions to exchange gifts with neighbors, regardless of their faith or behavior toward them. It was even reported that the Prophet had a neighbor who used to harm and insult him at every encounter. A few days passed without the Prophet receiving his usual share of abuse from this man. Thinking there must be a reason for the man’s absence, and concerned that his neighbor might be ill or in need of help, the Prophet paid him a visit and indeed found him sick. The man was baffled by how the Prophet met his bad treatment with such concern.

Today, elderly neighbors often suffer from loneliness and crave a sense of community. According to a recent study in the UK, 50% of people have experienced loneliness in the past year, with almost half admitting to seeing their neighbors less during the colder winter months. Several movements have addressed this issue. In the UK, the #HelloNeighbor campaign aimed to reach 1 million minutes of neighborly kindness before the end of 2018 to help make the community a less lonely and happier place.

In Sydney, Australia, a group of five Muslim high school boys began mowing lawns and cleaning the yards of their elderly and disadvantaged neighbors. Several online news outlets highlighted their kindness, noting that while most teenage boys spend weekends sleeping in or playing computer games, these boys were mowing gardens for elderly residents free of charge. The boys were nominated in the Young Achiever category of the Daily Telegraph and News Local’s Champions of the West awards. One of the boys said:

“When we go around and do the gardening for free, people are just so happy and pleased to see us. It feels good to be giving back to the community like that.”

It is clear that the rights of neighbors are taken seriously in Islam and that Muslim society places great emphasis on community cohesion. For All Humans encourages you to explore these teachings, make a positive difference, and connect with those who live in your neighborhood.

If you liked this episode, please remember to like, comment, share, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

See you all next time!

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