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Summary First
Islamic teachings highlight the honored rights of neighbours in Islamic law—avoiding harm, sharing food, offering gifts, helping non-Muslim neighbours, and giving priority to the nearest neighbour.
A true believer ensures no neighbour sleeps hungry, fulfilling the rights of neighbours in Islamic law and gaining Allah’s love along with prophetic blessings.
Top 8 rights of neighbours in islamic law– Learning Quran Wisdom
The rights of neighbours in Islamic law teach kindness, avoiding harm, sharing food, and helping in need.
Quran and Hadith guide Muslims to honor every neighbour, Muslim or non-Muslim, making compassion and tarbiyah a sacred duty for peace and social harmony.
In today’s world, many of these noble teachings are neglected, leading to broken communities and weakened trust.
To revive this Prophetic guidance, we will now highlight the top 8 rights of neighbours in Islamic law rights whose absence is deeply felt in our modern times.
01- The Rights of Neighbours in Islamic law – A Prophetic Guidance
Today, negligence towards the rights of neighbours is sadly common, even though the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized these rights repeatedly in his sayings.
In several Hadith, he not only stressed their importance but also explained them under different aspects, so Muslims may become true caretakers of their neighbours.
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (RA):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Jibril (Gabriel) kept advising me about the neighbour until I thought he would make him an heir.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Manners, Hadith 6014; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Birr, Hadith 2625)
A similar narration is also reported from Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (RA), showing how strongly the Prophet ﷺ highlighted kindness, respect, and the rights of neighbours in Islamic law as a moral duty.
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02- Prohibition of Harming the Neighbour in Islam
In Islam, a true believer’s faith is reflected not only in worship but also in how he treats his neighbour.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly prohibited causing harm to neighbours and commanded Muslims to treat them with respect and kindness.
Sadly, in today’s society, many overlook this vital teaching, leading to strained relations and loss of community harmony.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour; whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest;
and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab, Hadith 6018; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 47)
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show goodness to his neighbour.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith 48)
This Hadith reminds us that being a good Muslim is not limited to prayer and fasting but extends to daily interactions, especially in fulfilling the rights of neighbours in Islamic law, honoring guests, and guarding our speech.
03- Giving Gifts to Non-Muslim Neighbours in Islam
Islamic teachings on neighbours are not restricted to Muslims alone; they also include non-Muslim neighbours.
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ beautifully demonstrated this principle by showing generosity, kindness, and respect even to neighbours of other faiths.
Amr ibn Shuaib reported from his father that his grandfather said:
“A sheep was slaughtered for Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) and when he came, he asked, ‘Have you sent some of it to our Jewish neighbour?’ They said, ‘No.’
He replied, ‘Send some to him, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: Jibril kept advising me about the neighbour until I thought he would make him an heir.’
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Birr wa’s-Silah, Hadith 1943; Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 167)
In today’s diverse societies, this Prophetic teaching is more relevant than ever.
Offering gifts, sharing food, or simply being kind to a non-Muslim neighbour reflects the rights of neighbours in Islamic law, creating an atmosphere of trust, friendship, and mutual goodwill—showcasing the true beauty of Islamic character.
04- The Secret to Gaining the Love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
Every believer longs for the love of Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ. The Qur’an and Hadith make it clear that this love is not achieved through words alone, but through honesty, trustworthiness, and kindness to others—especially our neighbours.
Abu Qurad al-Sulami (RA) narrated:
“We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he asked for water for ablution.
He dipped his blessed hand into the vessel and performed wudu.
We followed him and began using the remaining water on our faces and bodies.
The Prophet ﷺ asked: ‘What made you do this?’ We replied:‘The love of Allah and His Messenger.’ He said: ‘If you wish that Allah and His Messenger love you, then fulfill the trusts when entrusted to you, speak the truth when you talk, and show kindness to your neighbours.’
(Al-Mu‘jam al-Tabarani al-Kabir, Hadith 772; also narrated in Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, p. 106, Dar al-Fikr edition)
In a time when dishonesty and neglect of rights have become widespread, this Hadith serves as a timeless remedy.
Whether in family matters, business dealings, or daily interactions with neighbours, the believer is reminded that true faith is proven through action—not mere claims of love.
05- A True Believer Does Not Sleep While His Neighbour is Hungry
One of the most powerful teachings of Islam is that faith is not complete if a Muslim neglects the hunger of his neighbour while he himself sleeps with a full stomach.
This Hadith highlights the deep connection between Iman (faith) and social responsibility.
Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“He is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour goes hungry beside him.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 317; Shu’ab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 3380)
Another narration from Anas ibn Malik (RA) adds:
“He does not truly believe in me who sleeps full while his neighbour is hungry beside him, and he knows of it.”
(Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 19049)
In many Muslim societies today, poverty exists right next door. A family may be hungry while another enjoys abundance.
The Prophet ﷺ reminded us that such neglect is not compatible with complete faith.
Sharing meals, supporting neighbours in need, and being conscious of their struggles is the Islamic way of living with sincerity and mercy.
06- The Consequence of Harming or Protecting Neighbours in Islam
Islam places great emphasis on the rights of neighbours. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a believer’s faith is not complete if he harms his neighbours.
What truly matters is not only acts of worship, but also how one treats those living nearby.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:
A man said, “O Messenger of Allah! There is a woman who is well-known for her abundant prayers, fasting, and charity, but she hurts her neighbours with her tongue.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “She is in Hellfire.”
The man said, “O Messenger of Allah! There is another woman who performs only a little voluntary prayer, fasting, and charity, and she gives only small pieces of cheese in charity, yet she does not harm her neighbours.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “She is in Paradise.”(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 440; Al-Adab al-Mufrad by Imam al-Bukhari, Hadith 119)
In another narration, Abu Hurairah (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared:
“By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!”
The companions asked: “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?”He replied: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab, Hadith 6016; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 46)
In Sahih Muslim, it is further stated:
“He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.”
In many modern societies, disputes among neighbours arise over small issues—noise, property, or harsh words.
The Prophet ﷺ warned that if a person’s neighbour is unsafe from his harm, his claim to faith is incomplete, no matter how many prayers or fasts he performs.
This timeless lesson urges Muslims to nurture trust, peace, and harmony with those who live around them.
07- A True Believer Never Lets His Neighbor Go Hungry – Prophetic Teachings on Neighbor’s Rights
One of the most powerful lessons from Islam is the duty of caring for neighbors.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ repeatedly emphasized that faith is incomplete if one ignores the hunger or hardship of his neighbor. A Believer Is Not One Who Sleeps While His Neighbor Is Hungry
Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“He is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor beside him goes hungry.”
(Narrated in Musnad Ahmad, Hadith no. 23408)
This hadith shows that true iman (faith) is not measured only by prayers and rituals but also by how we treat people living around us. A Muslim must feel the pain of his neighbor, otherwise, his faith is lacking.
In another narration, Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“He does not believe in me who spends the night full while his neighbor beside him is hungry, and he knows about it.”
(Narrated in al-Tabarānī in al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr, Hadith no. 7517)
The words “and he knows about it” add a deeper moral weight. If a Muslim is aware that his neighbor is in need but still ignores him, then such negligence is against the very spirit of Islam.
08- Who Deserves Our Help First – The Nearest Neighbor
Our mother, ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“O Messenger of Allah, I have two neighbors, to whom should I give a gift first?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“To the one whose door is nearest to you.”
(Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2259)
This highlights the priority of helping those closest to us, especially in times of need. A small act of kindness to the nearest neighbor is considered an act of worship.
From my own experience, I once saw my neighbor struggling silently during Ramadan. While we enjoyed our iftar, I realized their family had little to eat. Sharing our food that night changed the bond between us forever. It reminded me that faith is not just prayer, but compassion in action.
conclusion
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized that faith is incomplete without kindness to neighbours.
Islam teaches us to never let a neighbour go hungry, to avoid harm, and to prioritize the nearest neighbour in need. Giving gifts, even to non-Muslim neighbours, strengthens compassion and unity.
Protecting neighbours and caring for their rights is central to the rights of neighbours in Islamic law, bringing the love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
A true believer reflects mercy by ensuring peace, safety, and support for those living nearby—making honouring neighbours not just social etiquette but a sacred Islamic duty.
