The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks —
Neighbours are the first point of social interaction after the family and relatives. As noted previously, there exists a specific permanent association between a person and his/her neighbours. Whilst neighbours are meant to observe respectful treatment towards each other, a degree of tolerance is required to ensure neighbourly relation remains cordial.
The need to observe kindness towards neighbours – related or not, has been clearly underscored in the Holy Qur’aan. The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) gave constant reminders to the Believers with regards to the rights of neighbours to the extent of declaring good neighbourliness to be part of Faith and an essential requisite for salvation.
He once said, “He has not truly affirmed faith who eats to his satisfaction and sleeps comfortably at night while his neighbour goes hungry – and he is aware of it.”
How astonishing that such a wide gap has occurred between these teachings and the conduct of people. It is difficult for an unknowing person to believe that such were the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammed (pbuh).
Nevertheless, such teachings not only explain clearly the importance of good and kind treatment to neighbours, but also highlight the need to actively care and be concerned for their well-being.
The Prophetic sayings convey a clear admonition to those who remain indifferent to the needs of their neighbours.
Rights of neighbours
The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) listed specific rights of neighbours when he declared: “The rights of the neighbour upon you are that; If he falls ill you visit him; if he dies you attend his funeral; if he commits an evil deed, you prevent it from being known (i.e. do not publicise it); if he is favoured by good-fortune, you congratulate him.
“And, if calamity befalls him, you grieve in sympathy; and that you restrain from erecting your building higher than his in such a way that the passage of fresh air is blocked from his house (unless you have obtained his consent) and further, (you take care that) the aroma of your cooking pot does not cause sorrow to him (and his children) except that you send some of it (the food) to him.”
Such clear guidance was provided centuries ago to establish a sound bond among neighbours. The specific rights mentioned above are easily understood but the last two require special attention.
One should be careful, while building a house (or any building) that the walls are not so high as to cause discomfort to the neighbours by obstructing the free flow of air into their place (or in any other way) unless of course one has obtained prior consent of the neighbours.
Note that this was the teaching of The Prophet of Islam more than fourteen hundred years ago, but we ignore it – yet it is interesting to note that the world over, municipal or council laws on the same issue have been adopted from this very teaching – that the consent of neighbours (no objection) should be obtained prior to any construction!
The other point is that one should try his/her level best not to let the aroma of one’s cooking pot reach the neighbour’s household – lest they are aroused by the delicious smells and desire to eat the same when they cannot afford it. This will cause grief to neighbours.
To restrain the aroma from travelling is obviously not easy, hence one should make it a point of sending some of the food to neighbours. It requires a little selflessness whereby one slightly increases the quantity they cook and send even a small portion across to the neighbours.
As the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said, “Whenever gravy is cooked in anyone’s house, he should increase the broth and then send some to his neighbours.”
Moral, religious needs
The foregoing deals with the material welfare of neighbours – paying regard to their needs, feelings etc. However, one must also be concerned about their moral and religious welfare, which is also a neighbour’s right.
On one occasion the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is reported to have said, “What has happened to those whom Allah (God Almighty) has favoured with the understanding of faith and religious knowledge, they do nothing by way of teaching it to their neighbours (who are in need of it) or creating an awareness in them?
“They neither give good counsel, nor discharge the duty of enjoining what is good and lawful, and forbidding what is bad and evil. And what has happened to the uninformed ones that they make no effort to learn from their neighbours? By Allah! It is the duty of those who possess the knowledge to impart it to their neighbours (who are wanting in it) through good counsel and by enjoining what is lawful and forbidding what is prohibited.
“In the same manner it is the duty of the ignorant and uninformed to acquire the knowledge from their neighbours (who are learned) and to take advice from them – otherwise, (if neither party does its duty) a severe affliction will befall them in this very existence.”
Thus he enjoined upon all people who possess the understanding of sound morals and knowledge of faith to impart it to their neighbours and to work for their moral and spiritual instruction.
On the other hand, he has charged those who lack in this field to maintain a regular contact with people of good morals, faith and knowledge so as to benefit from their company.
Unfortunately, due to the neglect of this fundamental duty, we find that many a person and in fact at times entire neighbourhoods lack the basic morals and etiquettes of life. Needless to say countless people in communities are moving away from belief and faith in The Almighty.
A general sense of moral decadence seems to prevail. When we can set up neighbourhood-watch teams for the security of our material wealth and possessions why can’t we have neighbourhood teams to promote virtue – for the security of our morals and ethics, and indeed our spirituality and attachment to The Almighty?
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
