Aisha (radi Allahu anhu) heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) say, “So frequently did Jibreel advise me to be kind to neighbours that I thought that he would give them a share in one’s inheritance.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “Be kind to parents, and near family, and orphans and the impoverished, and the neighbour who is dhu al-qurba, and the neighbour who is junub, and the sahib bil-janb.” [4:36] An interpretation of “the neighbour who is dhu al-qurba” is the neighbour who lives close, while “the neighbour who is junub” refers to a neighbour whose residence is more distant, and the sahib bil-janb is a fellow traveler.
Among the Allah-given rights of neighbours is that they should not go hungry if you have food to eat. You should not bring fruits or other things to your house in such a manner that the neighbours’ children see it and feel deprived. You may not raise your walls in such a manner as to block the light or air of your neighbour. And your neighbours should feel safe and protected in their property, person and reputation by your presence rather than bothered or ill at ease.
“Choose your neighbor before choosing your residence,” is a widespread Arabic proverb that means that it is according to the value and merit of the neighbor that the price of the residence should be estimated. A good neighbor is a source of happiness.
