Love thy neighbour
The Quran commands, “Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet... Verily, God does not like the arrogant and boastful.”(4: 36)
While explaining this verse, Prophet Mohammad defined the concept of “neighbours” as those who lived 40 houses ahead, to the back, 40 to the right and 40 to the left of one’s home. He placed great emphasis on good neighbourly conduct, explaining that a true Muslim is one whose neighbours’ life, property and wealth are safe from him. He also mentioned that the best way to judge the character of a person was to seek an opinion about him from his or her neighbours.
The Prophet was once asked about a certain woman who prayed and fasted more than was obligatory and gave generously in charity, but unfortunately she spoke harshly to her neighbours. The Prophet described her as being one who would go to hell, and be punished.
In the same saying, he was asked about another woman who fulfilled only her obligatory duties and gave very little in charity, however, her neighbours were safe from her harsh tongue and she offended
no one. Prophet Mohammad described her as among the people of paradise.
In his teachings, Prophet Mohammad declared the minimum of kindness required of the neighbour by famously saying, “A believer is not the one who eats his fill when his neighbour is hungry.” In the early days of Islam, the companions would send someone to find out if their neighbours had enough food before they ate themselves. The Prophet encouraged people to share their meals, however meager. He once told Abu Dharr, a close companion, “If you cook something with gravy, increase the gravy so that you are able to send some of it to your neighbours.”
Islam does not differentiate between a Muslim and non-Muslim neighbour. Companions of the Prophet would send meat from sacrificed animals to their Jewish neighbours.
When the Prophet’s wife, Aisha, asked him about which neighbour to send her gifts to, he replied, “To the one whose door is closest to yours.”
Charity is recommended for all those deserving of it, irrespective of their faith. Prophet Mohammad’s charitable acts included helping the needy Jews of Madinah. His wife, Safiyah, who had Jewish lineage, gave 30,000 dirhams to her Jewish relatives in charity.
In an age of increasing rage, we need to reflect on our behaviour and the positive role we can play in our families, neighbourhoods, communities, state, country and the world.
Comments
Very informative piece of
Prof. (Mr.) Suhas Patwardhan
22 Apr 2012 - 10:57
Very informative piece of writing. Love thy neighbour
as thyself" is a well known story of Jesus, Prophet Mahammed's story too advocates catholicity of heart.Well done !.
Sadia Dehlvi An excellent and
S.B
20 Apr 2012 - 12:13
Sadia Dehlvi
An excellent and timely piece. I hope it gets the readership it deserves.
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