بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillah As-Subayyil, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked: “What are the rights of a neighbour?”

Response: The rights of a neighbour are great and many. Indeed, many ahadith have been narrated regarding the rights of a neighbour and among them is the hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor”. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); It was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Al-Bukhari]

And there are other narrations that shows the greatness of a neighbour’s rights. There are three types of neighbours: The neighbour with three rights; the neighbour with two rights and the neighbour with one.

The neighbour with three rights is the relative, who has rights as a relative, as a Muslim and the rights of a neighbour.

The neighbour with two rights is a Muslim neighbour, who has rights as a neighbour and as a Muslim.

As for neighbour with one right, he (or she) is a non-Muslim neighbour and has the rights of a neighbour. [1]

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ”He is not a (true) believer whose Stomach is filled while his neighbour is hungry”. [2]

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This Hadith (clearly demonstrates) that the one whose stomach is filled while his neighbour is hungry is not a believer of complete Iman. A person of complete Iman is the one who checks on his neighbour if the neighbour is in need of him. It is not possible for a neighbour to be enjoying himself with foods and drinks while his (other) neighbour cannot find anything and he does not give him anything. This does not reflect the manners of a believer with complete Iman. And because of this, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, negated the completeness (of the Iman of the one who behaves in such a manner); rather a believer of complete Iman is the one who is generous to his neighbour as much as he is able, especially when he is in need of an essential (thing) such as food and drink. [3]

Question: A neighbour of mine and his children harm me through their speech and actions, will I be rewarded due to being patient with them?

Response: There is no doubt that you will be rewarded (In-Shaa-Allaah) due to your patience while receiving harm from your neighbour and his children. This patience of yours is from good manners and kind treatment to your neighbour. Indeed Allah, The Most High, advised His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about kindness to neighbours, saying:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful. [4:36]

The Messenger said: “Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor”. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, be steadfast in exercising patience and you’ll receive reward and a good recompense from Allah (In-Shaa-Allah). There is no doubt that your neighbour is committing evil deeds. The Messenger said:

By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); it was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Reported by Bukhari] [4]

[1] Fadaa’il Al A’maal pages 15-16

[2] Reported by Imam Al-Bukhari (rahimahullaah) in Adab Al-Mufrad Number 112 & declared authentic by Imaam Albaani in his checking of Adab Al-Mufrad page 50. Publisher Daar As-Siddeeq 2nd ed [1421 AH/ Year 2000]

[3] Awn Al-Ahad As-Samad Sharh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1/137. Publisher: Daar Al-Mirath An-Nabawiy’ 1st ed Year 1434AH/ 2013

[4] Fadaa’il Al-A’maal page 30