Neighbours are our nearest companions. After family members, it is neighbours one comes in contact with. Developing good relations with neighbours is therefore an important aspect of a God-oriented life.
A neighbour, be he a co-religionist or an adherent of another religion, be he of one’s own community or of another, must always be taken good care of. He must be given his dues at all events, according to the demands of the shariah and of humanity. According to a hadith, the Prophet of Islam observed, “By God, anyone who is a threat to his neighbour is no believer.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6016) According to this hadith, if a Muslim becomes a source of trouble to his neighbours, his faith itself will become suspect.
The humanity of a person and the first criterion of his religiosity and spirituality are tested by the way he behaves towards his neighbours. The relationship with a neighbour serves as a test of whether a person has human feelings or not, and whether he is sensitive to Islamic teachings or not. If a person’s neighbours are happy with him, that is a proof of his being a good man, but if his neighbours are unhappy with him, that is a proof that his behaviour leaves much to be desired. The commands in the shariah regarding neighbours indicate that a believer must make concessions to his neighbours unilaterally.
That is, by doing good to them even if they are ill-behaved towards him. Being a good neighbour is the first step towards becoming a good human being. It is the good neighbour who will find a share in God’s blessings in the Hereafter.
