We live in close proximity to people who are often from different cultures, yet lead completely separate lives. As Muslims, however, we should understand that regardless of our neighbour’s lifestyle, background, or where they come from, we have clear responsibilities towards them. Neighbourly behaviour is not a small or optional part of our deen – it is woven into our character, our accountability, and ultimately our standing with Allah.
In a world that prioritises individual comfort and convenience, it’s easy to forget that living alongside others comes with its own share of duties. Yet our deen places immense importance on the relationships we cultivate with those around us. The way we treat our neighbours reflects our character and says a great deal about who we truly are.
Neighbourly Rights in Islam
Jibril (a.s) emphasised neighbourly rights to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) so greatly that he thought neighbours might even be included in inheritance rights. He said:
وعن ابن عمر وعائشة رضي الله عنهما قالا: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “ ما زال جبريل يوصيني بالجار حتى ظننت أنه سيورثه” ((متفق عليه)).
Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Riyad as-Salihin 303
This narration alone should make us pause. Imagine that neighbourly rights were stressed so repeatedly that inheritance was thought to be next. That tells us something about how seriously our deen takes these relationships.
Some interpretations suggest that our neighbours extend to at least 40 houses in every direction. In the tafsir of Surah An-Nisa 4:36, it is mentioned that the closest neighbours could be Muslim and those further away, non-Muslim, reflecting the varying degrees of responsibility and kindness expected towards them. Regardless, Islam commands fairness, kindness, and dignity toward all neighbours – whether Muslim or non-Muslim, rich or poor, near or distant.
Avoiding Harm to Neighbours
One of the simplest but most crucial principles in Islam is to avoid harming others. This applies even more strongly to those who live closest to us. The Prophet (PBUH) warned:
وعنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “ من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فلا يؤذِ جاره، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليكرم ضيفه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا أو ليسكت” ((متفق عليه)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
Riyad as-Salihin 308
Even animals under our care fall into this category. If a pet becomes a nuisance or causes damage, we are responsible. Islam doesn’t allow us to brush these things aside just because they’re inconvenient to address.
What makes this even more sobering is the reminder that nothing goes unnoticed. Allah sees the things we dismiss as small, and they will still be weighed on the Day of Judgement.
The Accountability of Our Actions
Acts of worship alone do not cancel out injustice towards others. The Prophet ﷺ described the bankrupt person as one who comes on the Day of Judgement with prayer, fasting, and zakah – yet has wronged people. Their good deeds are taken and distributed to those they harmed, until nothing remains.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ”: أتدرون من المفلس؟” قالوا : المفلس فينا من لا درهم له ولا متاع فقال: ”إن المفلس من أمتي يأتي يوم القيامة بصلاة وصيام وزكاة، ويأتي قد شتم هذا، وقذف هذا وأكل مال هذا، وسفك دم هذا، وضرب هذا، فيعطى هذا من حسناته، وهذا من حسناته، فإن فنيت حسناته قبل أن يقضي ما عليه، أخذ من خطاياهم فطرحت عليه، ثم طرح في النار” ((رواه مسلم)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Do you know who is the bankrupt?” They said: “The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property”. He said, “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire”. [Muslim].
Riyad as-Salihin 218
This should force us to ask ourselves uncomfortable questions. Are we careful with our neighbours’ rights, or do we assume our ‘ibadah makes up for our behaviour? Are we quick to justify ourselves instead of reflecting?
Acts of Kindness Towards Neighbours
Islam doesn’t stop at ‘don’t harm’. It actively encourages generosity and warmth. A greeting, sharing food, checking in, offering help – these are small actions, but they carry enormous weight.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
وعن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “خير الأصحاب عند الله تعالى خيرهم لصاحبه، وخير الجيران عند الله تعالى خيرهم لجاره” ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour”. [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
Riyad as-Salihin 311
And Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
۞ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًۭا وَبِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْجَارِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْجَارِ ٱلْجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلْجَنۢبِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًۭا فَخُورًا ٣٦
Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful—
AN-Nisa 4:36
Neighbourhoods thrive when people feel safe, respected and considered. Islam didn’t just aim to create practising individuals – it aimed to build healthy, moral communities.
A form of worship we often overlook
Being a good neighbour is not a social nicety. It is an act of worship. It is patience when it’s easier to snap, consideration when it’s easier to ignore, and humility when it’s easier to justify ourselves.
If we truly want Allah’s pleasure, we cannot afford to neglect the rights of the people living right next to us. Sometimes, the path to Jannah runs straight through our own front door – and into the lives of our neighbours.
