ETHICS IN NEIGHBOURS

Group members:
MUHAMMAD UMAIR (150506)
MUHAMMAD SHAHRYAR (150446)

BE MECHANICAL F-15
Project Supervisor
Umer Riaz Abbasi
Lecturer

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

INSTITUTE OF AVIONICS AND AERONAUTICS

AIR UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

1
Table of contents

Contents
Table of contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Ethics :- Meaning and Definition? ................................................................................................. 3
1.1.1 Literal Meaning :- ................................................................................................................. 3
1.1.2 Technical Meaning :- ............................................................................................................ 3
1.2 ETHICS IN NEIGHBOURS ................................................................................................................ 4
2 KEY FEATURES................................................................................................................................ 6
2.1 Social duties towards Neighbours: ............................................................................................... 6
2.2 Rights of Neighbours ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Kindness to a Non-Muslim Neighbor ............................................................................................ 8
2.4 The Rights of Neighbors as Viewed in the Qur’an ...................................................................... 11
2.5 Traditions on the Rights of Neighbors ........................................................................................ 12
2.6 It is Forbidden to Hurt One’s Neighbors ..................................................................................... 13
2.7 Complaining Against One’s Neighbor ......................................................................................... 14
2.8 Treating Neighbors with Kindness .............................................................................................. 14
2.9 Be Considerate With Your Neighbors ......................................................................................... 15
2.10 Bad Neighbors ............................................................................................................................. 15
2.11 Investigate Before Buying a House ............................................................................................. 15
2.12 The Domain of Neighborhood .................................................................................................... 15
3 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................. 16

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 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Ethics :- Meaning and Definition?
1.1.1 Literal Meaning :-

In literal sense the word “ Ethics” means character, nature and disposition.
1.1.2 Technical Meaning :-

Ethics is the area of study concerned with what is morally good and what is morally bad.
Ethics means “Science of Morals or “ Ilm al- Akhlaq”. Besides this,
we can say that ethics is a set of certain rules or a particular code of
conduct which is being provided by a society or a religion. Here we are
dealing with Islamic Ethics, so we can say that Islamic ethics is a set of
norms which are guiding a common Muslim so that he may live good and
civilized life.
Islamic Ethics or “ Ilm al- Akhlaq” is a science which deals with the ways
to maintain virtues at their optimum level, i,e to avoid wrong doing and
to do what is right desirable. The scope of Islamic ethics is numerous ,far
reaching and comprehensive because Islamic Ethics deals with
relationship between man and God , man and his fellow men, and other
creatures of the universe , and man with his innermost self.
Islamic Ethics not only provide the man with knowledge to
distinguish good from bad, justice from injustice or courage from
cowardice theoretically but also acquaints him with practical knowledge
and to him an executer of good morals and an abstainer from bad ones.
This ethical system is not based on worldly customs and wages but
derived from the two main sources of Islam Viz. Quran ( Devine
Revelation) and Sunnah, therefore making it universal, perfect and above
all valid for all the times.

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1.2 ETHICS IN NEIGHBOURS
Islam puts a deep emphasis on our individual duty to our neighbors. In fact, the Prophet
Mohammad said: “Angel Jibril advised me continuously to take care of the neighbor till I
thought that Allah is to make him an inheritor.”
Being a good neighbor and realizing the duty to our neighbors doesn’t just mean being friendly
to the homeowners next door. It means to help take care of the community as a whole—and that
includes the poor. Many Muslims know the importance of respecting and caring for our parents
and other family members, but too many fail to fulfill their duty to our neighbors and the
deprived in the community. Allah says in the Quran
“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good—to parents, kinsfolk, orphans,
those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, and the companion by
your side, the way-farer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: for God loveth not
the arrogant, the vainglorious.” (Quran 4:36)
Islam has great respect for the mutual rights and duties of neighbours. The Holy Prophet said:
Jibra'1 always used to advise me to be generous with neighbours, till I thought that Allah was
going to include the neighbours among the heirs of a Muslim.
The rights of neighbourhood are not meant for Muslim neighbours only. of course, a Muslim
neighbour has one more claim upon us - that of Islamic brotherhood; but so far as the rights of
neighbourship are concerned, all are equal.
Explaining it, the Holy Prophet said:
Neighbours are of three kinds:

(1) that one who has got one right upon you;

(2) that one who has got two rights upon you;

(3) that one who has got three rights upon you.
The neighbour having three rights upon you is the one who is also a Muslim and a relative. The
neighbour having two rights is the one who is either a non-Muslim or a non-relative Muslim.

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The neighbour having one right is the one who is neither a Muslim nor a relative. Still he has got
all the claims of neighbourhood-rights upon you.
Here are some more traditions which show the Islamic love towards the neighbours:
The Holy Prophet said:
That man is not from me who sleeps contentedly while his neighbour sleeps hungry.
Al-Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn (a. s.) in his Risalat al-Huquq, said:
These are your duties towards your neighbour: Protect his interests when he is absent; show him
respect when he is present; help him when he is inflicted with any injustice. Do not remain on
the look-out to detect his faults; and if, by any chance, you happen to know any undesirable thing
about him, hide it from others; and, at the same time, try to desist him from improper habits, if
there is any chance that he will listen to you. Never leave him alone at any calamity. Forgive
him, if he has done any wrong. In short, live with him a noble life, based on the highest Islamic
ethical code.
And be good to the neighbour who is your relative and to the neighbour who is not a
relative . . . (Qur'an, 4:36)

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 2 KEY FEATURES
2.1 Social duties towards Neighbours:
1. One should help one’s neighbor with money.
2. To visit him frequently, if he becomes ill.
3. If he dies attend his funeral.
4. Try utmost to share his sorrows and increase his joys.
5. Send some cooked food and fruits to him.
6. If the neighbor throws dust and rubbish before your door you should
not mend it but advise him not to do so.
7. The smoke and smell from your kitchen should not disturb your
neighbor.
8. Do not make your house higher than your neighbours.
9. Satisfy his needs if he becomes poor, needy, orphan etc.
10. To congratulate him if he meets with good fortune.
11. Also, exchange your gifts with your neighbor to make a good
relation.
12. To respect and regard your neighbor.
13. Remain away from ill-speaking, theft, barbarism, harm and
backbiting to one’s neighbor.

2.2 Rights of Neighbours

Noble Qur'an tells us that all of mankind is descended from one couple, Adam and Eve. Thus we
are all brothers and sisters, and our differences in languages and colors are but a mercy that we
might know one another. Language and race should never be a reason for discriminating against
people.
A Muslim should maintain good relations with his relatives, but he should not unjustly favor
them over others. Further, a Muslim must be good to his neighbors, no matter their religion. But
the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that a "neighbor" is not just

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the one next door but includes all those up to forty houses in all directions - effectively a whole
neighborhood.
An Ansar (emigrant) came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and said
that he has recently purchased a house in a particular area and that his nearest person was such
that he had no hope of any goodness from him and that he felt unsafe from his mischief. Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) told Imam Ali (as), Salman Al-Farsi, Abu Zar
Ghaffari and Miqdad ibn Aswad to go to the Mosque and announce: "He is not a believer whose
neighbour is unsafe from his mischief." They announced it thrice and then to Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed towards forty doors to his right and forty
to the left indicating that forty houses in every direction constitute ones neighbourhood. One is
obliged to observe their rights.
This concern for our neighbors can take many forms. It means to ensure that our neighbors have
the basic necessities, for a Muslim should not eat if his or her neighbor is going hungry. It means
that Muslims should wish for their neighbors what they wish for themselves. It means sharing
their happiness and sorrow. Further, it means to not spy on them and respect their privacy, to not
gossip about them, to not harm them in any way, and to keep common use areas - such as
apartment building entrances, streets and sidewalks - clean.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was told of a woman who prayed during
night and fasted a lot during day and gave alms generously, but whose neighbors complained of
her abusive tongue. He said that she would be in Hellfire. When Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) was told of another woman who did not do all those extra acts of worship
other than just compulsory (Wajib) but whose neighbors were happy with her, he said that she
would be in Paradise. Thus we see the importance of being good to our neighbors, both in
actions and words.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) on the rights of the neighbour, said: "It is
to help him if he asks your help, to lend him if he asks to borrow from you, to satisfy his needs if
he becomes poor, to console him if he is visited by an affliction, to congratulate him if is met
with good fortune, to visit him if he becomes ill, to attend his funeral if he dies, not to make your

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house higher than his without his consent lest you deny him the breeze, to offer him fruit when
you buy some or to take it to your home secretly if you do not do that, nor to send out your
children with it so as not to upset his children, nor to bother him by the tempting smell of your
food unless you send him some." The Scale of Wisdom, P.234/235 no.1308

2.3 Kindness to a Non-Muslim Neighbor

The neighbor holds a special status in Islam. Islam encourages Muslims to treat their neighbors
in a gentle way that reflects the true and genuine spirit of Islam as exemplified in its tolerant
aspect especially with people of other faiths. It makes no difference whether the neighbors are
Muslim or non-Muslim. Ayesha, the Mother of the Believers, stated that she once asked Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! I have two neighbors.
To whom shall I send my gifts?" Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"To the one whose gate is nearer to you."
It is clear from the above Prophetic Hadith that Muslims are encouraged to not only treat our
neighbors kindly, but also to exchange gifts with them. The wording of the Hadith does not
indicate whether the one with whom we exchange gifts is a Muslim or not.
Below are ten tips on how to approach your non-Muslim neighbors in a kind way that
exemplifies Islamic manners:
1. Being good to neighbors is not only restricted to those who share the same building with
you. Your roommate at the dorm is your neighbor; the person sitting behind you or next
you in a bus or at a bus stop is your neighbor; the one sharing your office at work is your
neighbor; the person enjoying fresh air next to you in a public garden is also a neighbor. You
ought to treat all of those people kindly and socialize with them within the permitted scope of
Shariah Islamic Law.
2. Introduce yourself and your family to your neighbors when you move into a new place or

when new neighbors move in. This will also help to relieve any fears or tensions they

may have about Muslims. Also, don't forget to say good-bye when you or they move

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 away.
3. Care for them continually, especially at times of need and distress, as "the neighbor in

need is a neighbor indeed." If a neighbor is elderly or chronically ill, offer to run errands

or shop for him or her.

4. In dealing with neighbors, it is safer to deal with those of the same sex as yourself. This

does not mean that you should stop socializing at work or school with your non-Muslim

workmates or classmates of the opposite sex, but be aware of satanic snares. After-hours

socializing should be with your same sex.

5. While socializing with non-Muslims, be cautious of becoming too lenient at the expense

of your creed and principles. For example, don't go out drinking with them. They will

respect you more for sticking to your principles than for breaking the rules.

6. In addition to sharing ideas, you can share meals with them by inviting them to dinner on

the weekend or accepting their invitation to the same, provided that you let them know

about your dietary restrictions (Halal and Haram) as a Muslim.

7. Conduct mutual visits so that the families can interact in a constructive way. If the

discussion does turn to religion, focus on areas of common ground. For example, if your

neighbors are Christian, then you should not enter into a futile argument with them about

whether Jesus is God incarnate or not. Rather, tell them to what extent Islam honors all

God's Prophets and Messengers as a whole, and that Jesus is granted a special status

among God's Prophets and Messengers.

8. While socializing with neighbors, present your religion (Islam) in the best way. If you

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 are faced with a difficult question or a distortion about Islam, do not be ashamed to stop

for a while and tell them that you will try to contact a more knowledgeable person to seek

the guidance regarding the issue raised. Thus, common grounds should be enhanced, and

areas of dissension should never be raised.

9. If your neighbors show an interest in Islam, invite them to attend Islamic events, and

even to accompany you to the mosque to see what it is like. It may be that their hearts

become softened to Islam, and if they remain non-Muslim, at least you have succeeded in

breaking the barrier. You can also visit the church where your neighbors pray if they

invite you to do that, but here you should be cautious not to perform any act that your

religion prohibits. In brief, be only a watchful monitor.

10. Always keep in mind the mighty reward that is in store for you in the Hereafter when

you show kindness to a neighbor.

‫حق الجار‬
‫ ال‬.ً‫ين َج ِميعا‬ ِ َ‫ص َرتُهُ َو َمعُونتُهُ فِي ال َحال‬ ْ ُ‫ظهُ غَائِبًا َو َك َرا َمتُهُ شَا ِهدًا ون‬ ُ ‫ار فَ ِح ْف‬ ِ ‫َوأ ّما َح ُّق ال َج‬
‫إرادَةٍ ِم ْن َك‬
َ ‫غي ِْر‬ َ ‫ع ْن‬ َ ُ‫ع َر ْفت َ َها ِم ْنه‬ ْ َ‫ ف‬،‫س ْو َء[ةٍ] ِلت َ ْع ِرفَ َها‬
َ ‫إن‬ َ ‫ع ْن‬ َ ُ‫ث لَه‬ ْ ‫ع ْو َرة ً وال تَب َح‬ َ ُ‫بع لَه‬ ْ َّ ‫تَت‬
‫يرا لَ ْم‬ ً ‫ض ِم‬َ ُ‫ع ْنه‬َ ُ‫ت األ َ ِسنَّة‬ ِ ‫ لَ ْو بَ َحث‬،‫يرا‬ً ِ‫ست‬ َ ‫صينا ً َو ِستْ ًرا‬ ِ ‫صنا ً َح‬ ْ ‫ت ِح‬ َ ‫ع ِل ْم‬َ ‫ت ِل َما‬ َ ‫َوال ت َ َكلُّفٍ ُك ْن‬
‫ وال‬،ٍ‫س ِلّ ْمهُ ِع ْندَ شَديدَة‬ َ ُ ‫ ال ت‬.‫ْث ال يَ ْعلَ ُم‬
ُ ‫علَي ِه ِم ْن َحي‬ َ ‫ ال ت َ ْست َ ِم ْع‬.‫علَي ِه‬
َ ‫النط َوائِ ِه‬
ِ ‫ص ْل إلَيْه‬ ِ َّ ‫تَت‬
‫ وال‬،‫علَي َْك‬ َ ‫ع ْنهُ إذَا َج ِه َل‬ َ ‫ وال تَد َِّخ ْر ِح ْل َم َك‬.ُ‫عثْ َرتهُ وت َ ْغ ِف ْر زَ لَّتَه‬ َ ‫ ت ُ ِقي ُل‬.ٍ‫س ْدهُ ِع ْندَ نِ ْع َمة‬ُ ْ‫تَح‬
،‫صي َح ِة‬ ِ ‫ َوتُب ِْط ُل فِي ِه َك ْيدَ َح‬،‫شتِي َم ِة‬
ِ َّ‫ام ِل الن‬ َّ ‫سانَ ال‬ َ ‫عنهُ ِل‬ َ ُّ‫ ت َ ُرد‬.ُ‫سلَّ ًما لَه‬
ُ َ‫خرجْ أ َ ْن ت َ ُكون‬ ُ َ‫ت‬
.ِ‫ َوال َح ْو َل َوال قُ َّوة َ إال باهلل‬.ً‫َوتُعَا ِش َرهُ ُمعَاش ََرة ً َك ِري َمة‬
And the right of your neighbor is that you should be a guardian for him when he is

10
 absent, and you should honor him when he is present, and you should assist and support

him in both situations. You should not pursue any of his imperfections, and you should

not seek any of his faults. But if you should discover any of his faults unintentionally,

you should take the role of a fortified stronghold and a veiling screen regarding what you

know.

You should guard them in such a way that none of his defects can be discovered even if

they are thoroughly inspected with spears. And you should not eavesdrop on him, and

you should not forsake him during times of hardship. And you should not envy him when

he receives a blessing. Pardon his deviation and forgive his mistakes. And do not lose

your temper when he behaves out of ignorance with you. And do not stop to be his

supporter, and answer those who scold him. And divulge for him the deception of those

who counsel him, and associate with him in an honorable manner. And there is no power

or strength but in God.

2.4 The Rights of Neighbors as Viewed in the Qur’an

ْ‫للا َوا ْعبُدُوْا‬َّْ َ‫ل‬ ْ ‫ش ْيئًا ِب ِْه ت ُ ْش ِر ُكوْاْ َو‬

َ ‫ْن‬ِْ ‫سانًا َوبِ ْال َوا ِل َدي‬ َ ْ‫َو ْاليَتَا َمى ْالقُ ْربَى َو ِبذِي إِح‬
ِْ ‫سا ِك‬
‫ين‬ َ ‫ار َو ْال َم‬ ِْ ‫ار ْالقُ ْربَى ذِي َو ْال َج‬ ِْ ‫ب َو ْال َج‬ ِْ ُ‫ب ْال ُجن‬ ِْ ‫اح‬ ِ ‫ص‬َّ ‫ب َوال‬ِْ ‫ْن بِال َجن‬ِْ ‫ل َواب‬
ِْ ‫سبِي‬
َّ ‫ال‬
‫ت َو َما‬ْْ ‫أ َ ْي َمانُ ُك ْْم َملَ َك‬
“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good - to parents, kinsfolk,

orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the

companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands

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 possess.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Nisaa 4:36]

The verse refers to some of the rights in Islam including those of neighbors. ‘Neighbors

who are near’ in this verse has been interpreted by various commentators to imply

various things. Some consider it to imply relatives. However, since the verses that have

preceded this verse in the Qur’an refer to the rights of relatives this interpretation seems

to be an unlikely meaning. Rather other implications seem to be more appropriate. It may

mean neighbors who are closer to us in religion.

2.5 Traditions on the Rights of Neighbors

There are many traditions about the rights of neighbors, their due respect and their role in

our security. The Prophet of God said:

َ َ‫جار ِه ِمن َخوفا بابَه أ ْغل‬

‫ق َمن‬ َ َ‫ؤمنا جاره ف‬
ِ ‫ليس َوما ِل ِه أ ْه ِل ِه عَلى‬ ِ ‫م‬.

“The neighbor because of whom one locks the door, out of fear for one’s family and

wealth, is not a believer.”

The Prophet of God was asked: “O Prophet of God! What are the rights of neighbors
incumbent upon other neighbors?” He said:

‫إن عَليَ ِه حقوقِ ِه أدْنى ِمن‬ ِ ‫ستَ ْق َرضَه‬ ْ ‫وإن َرفَدَه أ ْق َرضَه ا‬
ْ ‫وإن أجَابَه دَعا‬ْ َ‫وإن عَادَه َم ِرض‬ْ َ‫شيَّ َع َمات‬َ ‫نازتَه‬ َ ‫وإن ِج‬
ْ
َ َ
َ ‫سدْه َول ْم بِ ِه ف ِر َح َخيرا أص‬
‫َاب‬ ْ ‫َاب‬
ِ ْ‫وإن يَح‬ َ ‫س َكنَه بِبِناء عَلي ِه يَستَطيل َوال ِل ِح ْزنِ ِه ح َِزنَ مصيبَة أص‬ َ
َ ‫بإشْرافِ ِه فيؤذِي ِه‬
َ
‫علي ِه‬ َ ‫س ِد‬ ْ
َ ‫ِي وإن عَنه الريحِ َمنافِ ِذ َو‬ ْ ْ َ ْ
َ ‫ع ِل َم إذا ِمنها قِسما له أهدى طرفة َمن ِز ِل ِه إلى أهد‬ َّ
َ ‫يس أنه‬َ َ‫أو ِمثلها ِعندَه ل‬
‫ستِ ْرها‬ ْ َ‫إن ِعيا ِل ِه َوعَن عَنه فَلي‬
ْ ْ‫ش َّحت‬ َ ‫ ِبها نَفسه‬. ‫ َلكم أقول ما إس َمعوا‬: ‫ؤد لَ ْم‬ ِ ‫قي‬ َّ ‫الجار َح‬
ِ ‫للا َرح َمه ِم َّم ْن قَليل إال‬،
‫بالجَار للا أوصَاني َولَقَد‬ ِ ‫وإن أنَّه َظ َن ْنت حَتى‬
ِ ‫ورثه‬ ِ ‫سي‬ َ ‫ستَعانَه‬
ْ ‫وإن أعانَه ا‬
ِ ‫عار‬ َ َ ‫ست‬
ْ ‫إعاره ِمنه ا‬
َ ِ ‫ر ْفدِه إلى احْ تا َج‬.ِ
‫وإن‬

“The least of a neighbor’s rights on him is that if he asks him for a loan he should grant it
to him. If he asks for help, he should help him. If he wants to borrow something from
him, he should lend it to him. If he needs him to donate something to him, he should do
so. If he invites him, he should accept his invitation. If he gets sick, he should go and visit
him. If he passes away, he should attend his funeral procession.

If he receives some blessings, he should be happy and not envious of him. If a tragedy
befalls him, he should grieve for his grief. He should not build a tall building in front of

12
 his dwelling which would trouble him due to its overlooking his house and obstructing
the passage of breeze. If he is presented with some novelty in his house, then he should
present him a part of it if he knows that he does not have something like it, otherwise he
should conceal it from him and his family if he desires it for himself.”

(The Prophet of God then added:) “Listen to what I tell you. Only a few people who are
blessed by God’s Mercy fulfil the rights of neighbors. God enjoined on me the rights of
the neighbor to the extent that I thought He would appoint him as an heir.”2

There are three important points stressed by the Prophet in this tradition. The first point is
that each person’s house is his place of peace and security, both for his property and for
honor. Should one lose his security at home, he has lost his most secure stronghold. This
peace and security is everyone’s certain right, and should not be violated by anyone. If
one lives in such a way that threatens the security of his neighbors, then he is not a true
believing Muslim.

The second point that is stressed here is not to build tall buildings overlooking other
people’s houses. We all know that at the time of the Prophet there were no tall buildings
in Arabia. However, the teachings of the Prophet are universal, and for all times. Thus, he
instructed us not to build such buildings. This is one of the signs of the completeness of
Islamic teachings and a proof of Islam being the last religion. Housing is still one of
man’s major social problems.

The problem of finding a secure place to live is not only one of our problems, but it is
also one of most countries of the world. The Westerners have chosen living in apartments
with all its problems and limitations. Our people are also following this practice. The
third point that is stressed is that one should not show what he brings into his house to his
neighbors, or give a little of what he brings home to his neighbors if they are poor.

2.6 It is Forbidden to Hurt One’s Neighbors

Imam Sadiq said:

‫ارهُ آذى َمن َملعُون‬

َ ‫ َج‬.

“One who troubles his neighbor is cursed.”3

On the other hand, pleasing one’s neighbor is a cause of forgiveness. In Lubb al-Lubab
Qutb al-Rawandi quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet :

‫غ ِف َر َعنهُ راضُونَ ُكلُّ ُهم ثَالثَة ِجيران ولَهُ َماتَ َمن‬

ُ ُ‫له‬.

13
 “Anyone who dies with three neighbors pleased with him will be forgiven (by God).”4
The Prophet of God said:

‫ُؤمنُ كانَ َمن‬

ِ ‫وم ِباللِ ي‬ ِ ‫ارهُ يُؤ ِذ َفال‬
ِ ‫اآلخ ِر َوال َي‬ َ ‫ َج‬.

“Whoever believes in God and the Final Day should not trouble his neighbors.” 5

The Prophet also said:

ُ‫ار ُحر َمة‬

ِ ‫على ال َج‬ ِ ‫أ ُ ِم ِه َك ُحر َم ِة ال َج‬.
َ ‫ار‬

“The reverence of a neighbor incumbent on the neighbor is like the reverence due to
one’s mother.”6

2.7 Complaining Against One’s Neighbor

Imam Sadiq narrated that someone complained to the Prophet of God about his neighbor.
The Prophet turned his face away from him. He came back again. Then the Prophet told
Ali , Salman and Miqdad:

ْ ُ‫ارهُ آذى َمن َعلى َوال َمالئِ َك ِة للاِ لَ ْعنَة‬

‫أن وناد ُوا إذْهَبوا‬ َ ‫ َج‬.

“Go and publicly announce that the curse of God and the angels is on one who troubles
his neighbor.”7

2.8 Treating Neighbors with Kindness

The Noble Prophet said:

‫وار َو ُح ْسنُ البِ ُّر‬

ِ ‫الج‬ ِ ‫الر ْز‬
ِ ‫ق في زيادَة‬ ِ ‫مارة‬
َ ‫ِيار في َو ِع‬
ِ ‫الد‬.

“Treating one’s neighbors with kindness and being a good neighbor will result in an
increase in one’s share of daily bread and the development of towns.” 8

Imam Ridha has been quoted as having said the following in Fiqh al-Ridha:

‫جاو َرة َ َوأَحْ س ِْن‬

َ ‫الجار َع ِن يَسْألُكَ ت َعالى للاَ فإن َج َاو َركَ َمن ُم‬،
ِ ‫ي َوقَد‬
َ ‫صلى للاِ َرسو ِل َعن ُر ِو‬
َ ُ‫وآ ِل ِه َعلي ِه للا‬:
َ ‫للاَ أن‬
َ‫َبارك‬
َ ‫ار ْأوصانِي َوتَعالى ت‬ َ ُ
ِ ‫يَ ِرثنِي أنهُ ظنَ ْنتُ َحتى بال َج‬.

“Be a good neighbor for your neighbors since God will ask you about the neighbour.
God’s Prophet has been quoted as having said: God the Almighty enjoined on me the
rights of the neighbor to the extent that I thought he will inherit from me.” 9

14
2.9 Be Considerate With Your Neighbors
It is quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet :

‫جارهُ َشبْعانَ باتَ َمن بي آ َمنَ َما‬

ُ ‫ َجائِع َو‬.
“Whoever spends the night with a full stomach, while his neighbor is hungry, does not
believe in me.”10
He also said:

‫جارهُ َشبْعانَ باتَ َمن بي آ َمنَ َما‬

ُ ‫طاو َو‬، ‫جارهُ كا ِسيا باتَ َمن بي آ َمنَ َما‬
ُ ‫عار َو‬.

“One who spends the night with a full stomach while his neighbor is hungry, has not
believed in me. One who spends the night clothed, while his neighbor has no clothes, has
not believed in me.” 11

In a letter to his governor Uthman ibn Hunayf, Imam Ali wrote:

ُ‫َحرى؟ َوأ ْكباد غَرثَى بُطون َو َحولي ِمبطانا أأ ِبيت‬

“Should I pass the night with a full stomach while around me are hungry and thirsty
bellies?”12

2.10 Bad Neighbors

It has been quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet :

ُ‫جار ِمن باللِ أعُوذ‬

ِ ‫قَلبُهُ َويَر َعاكَ َعيناهُ تَراكَ إقا َمة دَ ِار في سوء‬، ‫إن‬
ْ َ‫وإن سا َءهُ بخَير رآك‬
ْ َ‫سرهُ بِشَر رآك‬
َ .

“I seek refuge in God from an evil neighbor next to one’s place of residence. His eyes see
you and his heart watches you. If he sees you in a good state, it grieves him, and if he
sees you in a bad state, it makes him happy.”13

2.11 Investigate Before Buying a House

The Noble Prophet said:

َ ‫راء قَب َل ال َج‬

‫ار إلت َِمسوا‬ ِ ‫ق قَب َل َوالرفيقَ الد ِار ِش‬
ِ ِ‫الطري‬.

“Ask about the neighbor before buying the house, and the travelling companion before
starting the journey.”14

2.12 The Domain of Neighborhood

Imam Sadiq quoted on the authority of the Commander of the Faithful :

15
 ‫سج ِد َحري ُم‬
ِ ‫أر َبعُونَ ال َم‬
ْ ‫وار دارا‬
ُ ‫والج‬
ِ ‫أر َب َع ِة ِمن دارا أر َبعون‬
ْ ‫ َجوانِ ِبها‬.

“The domain of the neighborhood of a mosque and a house is forty houses in four
directions.”15

Imam Sajjad said: “The people living in forty houses on either side of your house are
your neighbors. You must respect their rights, live with them, and associate with them in
peace. Seek God’s help to do so.

3 RECOMMENDATIONS
so our recommendations are following
 One should help one’s neighbor with money.
 To visit him frequently, if he becomes ill.
 If he dies attend his funeral.
 Try utmost to share his sorrows and increase his joys.
 Send some cooked food and fruits to him.
 If the neighbor throws dust and rubbish before your door you should
not mend it but advise him not to do so.
 The smoke and smell from your kitchen should not disturb your
neighbor.
 Do not make your house higher than your neighbours.
 Satisfy his needs if he becomes poor, needy, orphan etc.
 To congratulate him if he meets with good fortune.
 Also, exchange your gifts with your neighbor to make a good
relation.
 To respect and regard your neighbor.
 Remain away from ill-speaking, theft, barbarism, harm and
backbiting to one’s neighbor.

16