It Is Not Enough to Simply Be Safe from Your Neighbor’s Harm
In Islamic society, the bond of neighborliness is considered sacred to a degree close to that of kinship. The right of good neighborliness is not merely about avoiding harm to one’s neighbor; true neighborliness involves patiently enduring and tolerating any oppression or distress coming from the neighbor. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his neighbor,” even stating that he thought the neighbor would inherit from the deceased due to the insistent advice of Gabriel regarding the rights of neighbors.
Mutual Assistance and Thoughtfulness
A good neighbor is someone who shares their neighbor’s joy, empathizes with their sorrow. Visiting them when they are ill, lending them money if requested, looking after them when they fall into poverty, and attending their funeral are among their fundamental rights. Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) explains the subtlety of neighborly ethics as follows: “When you buy a fruit, give it as a gift to your neighbor; if you are not going to give it, secretly take it home. Do not let your child go out with that fruit, for the neighbor’s child will see it and feel envious and distressed.” Not even disturbing one’s neighbor with the smell of food is a monumental moral edifice foreseen by our religion.
Covering Faults and Not Devaluing Generosity
A believer should not investigate their neighbor’s secrets, nor should they reveal any faults accidentally learned to others. Refusing someone who comes to your door with a need, sharing the soup cooking in your home with your neighbor increases familiarity and affection between you. Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and other great figures have kept neighborly relations alive. Our Prophet addressed women, saying, “Do not belittle any gift from your neighbor, even if it is a sheep’s foot,” drawing attention to the value of intention and remembrance over the quantity of the generosity.