By G.M.Shakir (Adv.)

By Nature, man is a social animal and for complete development of his mental and physical aspects he needs co-operation of his fellow beings. Besides, co-operation of his kith and kin he must be supported by his neighbours. If the neighbourhood is not conducive, the life shall become miserable. So the Islam has emphasized the duties towards neighbour. Quran commands

‘Do good………….and to neighbour who are akin and neighbours who are strange’

According to this verse there are two kinds of neighbours, one who is related and another who is not related, but one has to treat both equally good. Prophet (SAW) ha made three classes of neighbours, one who is Muslim as well as akin and he holds thrice the rights, another who is Muslim but not relative, this class is having double the rights, another who is Muslim but not relative, this class is having double rights and third who is neither relative nor Muslim, he is having single rights. Here though distinction is made, but first two classes are having more rights as relative and Muslim and as neighbour all the classes have equal rights.

Discharging the duties towards one’s neighbour has been emphasized by the Prophet (SAW) vehemently. This has been done with a view of the making society more beneficial to human being. Abdullah Bin Umar (RA) has narrated that he heard Prophet (SAW) saying: Gabriel has insisted me so much for doing good to neighbour that felt neighbour will be made heir of neighbour. According to Hadith the neighbourhood consists of forty houses. The fixing of forty houses as neighbourhood is meant to increase doing good to maximum of people living in society.

We are most unlucky people, though claim to be the followers of the Prophet (SAW), but instead of obeying these commands, most of us violates them by creating annoyance to our neigbour. Wherever possible the property of the neighbour is grabbed. There are instances where the ladies of the neighbour are not safe from the vicious acts and mischiefs of neighbours. The Prophet (SAW) has strongly condemned such behavior. The saying that adultery with the neighbour’s wife is more heinous than adultery with ten women and stealing the property of neighbour is worse than stealing ten times in a place other than neighbourhood. The reason is obvious. The society where a neighbour is not safe from the mischiefs of his neighbour shall be sample of hell. Where there will be no trust and confidence since main emphasis has been given on the duties towards neighbour and violation of such duties means severe punishment hereafter. The Prophet (SAW) has told that no person shall enter the paradise whose neighbours are not safe from his annoyance.

Among the blessings of Allah we have sunlight and air and without these facilities our life will be no more. But we block these facilities to our neighbours, even if they protest against it. If any agency comes to stop from doing such acts, we by hook or by crook stop the air. This is also violation of the command of Prophet (SAW). (This command forms base of the enjoyment of these rights). ‘Walls of the houses should not be erected higher than the walls of the house of neighbour for blocking the air with out his permission’. This hadith is manifestly clear as to how much care of the right of the air to others is to be taken.

The Prophet (SAW) also strongly condemned causing annoyance to neighbours by saying “Whoever annoys neighbour annoys me and, and whoever annoys me annoys Allah and whoever fought with neighbour fought with me and whoever fought with me fought with the Allah.”

Question of fighting does not arise even a Muslim should abstain from such acts causing depression to neighbour or/ and his children. It has been made clear if you purchase fruit for children send some portion to neighbour and if you are unable, do not let you offspring to show it to children of the neighbour lest they, children of neighbour shall feel dejection and become depressed. These directions were acted upon by our scholars and leading personalities and this aspect of the character helped them in spreading their mission. Abu- Hanifa (AR) has a neighbour who used to play music during the night and disturbed prayer and sleep of Abu Hanifa (AR). But the Imam did never complain. Once the police arrested him, but Abu Hanifa rushed to his help and got him set free. This conduct of Imam changed the life of neigbour who was a Jew prior to his release from police.

The reason is obvious. The society where a neighbour