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**The Neighbor in Islam and Arab Traditions**
The topic of neighbors holds a significant position in Islam, with numerous Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) urging kindness to neighbors and warning against harming them. Additionally, Arabs in pre-Islamic and Islamic times recognized the value of the neighbor and showed high regard for their neighbors through social customs and traditions.
### 1. **Prophetic Sayings about Neighbors**
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized good treatment of neighbors in many of his sayings. Some of these are:
- **The Hadith of Angel Gabriel’s Advice on Neighbors**:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
> "Angel Gabriel continued to advise me regarding the neighbor to the extent that I thought he would inherit from me." (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
In this Hadith, we see the great importance of the neighbor in Islam. Gabriel’s frequent advice to the Prophet about the neighbor made the Prophet think that neighbors might even be granted inheritance rights, which shows their esteemed status.
- **Prohibition of Harming the Neighbor**:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
> "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The one whose neighbor is not safe from his harm." (Reported by Bukhari)
In this Hadith, the Prophet strongly denies the faith of anyone who harms their neighbor or whose neighbor does not feel safe from their harm, indicating how serious it is to harm a neighbor, as it can deprive a person of the completeness of their faith.
- **Another Hadith Encouraging Kindness to Neighbors**:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
> "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor." (Reported by Muslim)
Here, the Prophet links belief in Allah and the Last Day with honoring the neighbor, demonstrating that good treatment of the neighbor is a requirement of true faith.
- **Even Small Acts of Kindness Toward Neighbors**:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
> "O Muslim women, do not belittle any gift to your neighbor, even if it is a hoof of a sheep." (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
In this Hadith, the Prophet encourages people not to underestimate even small acts of kindness between neighbors, emphasizing that what matters most is the good intention and respectful treatment, even if the gift is as small as a sheep’s hoof.
### 2. **Prohibition of Harming Neighbors**
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made it clear that harming a neighbor is one of the gravest sins that can damage social relationships. In this context, he said:
> "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm his neighbor." (Reported by Muslim)
This Hadith clarifies that complete faith requires good treatment of neighbors and avoiding harm. The neighbor has rights that must be respected, and one of the greatest of these rights is living peacefully without harassment or harm.
The Prophet also said:
> "He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his harm." (Reported by Muslim)
This shows that someone who causes harm or trouble to their neighbor will be deprived of entering Paradise until they reform and cease such behavior.
### 3. **Respect for Neighbors in Pre-Islamic Arab Traditions**
Before Islam, Arabs had strong traditions regarding neighbors, and the status of the neighbor in society was considered sacred. Arabs were famous for their generosity and good treatment of their neighbors. An old Arab proverb says:
> "The neighbor before the house."
This proverb reflects how Arabs would prioritize the location and status of their neighbors before choosing a place to live. Tribal customs also encouraged defending and supporting one’s neighbor, especially in times of difficulty.
Arabs would also impose severe penalties on anyone who dared to harm a neighbor, and social customs linked respect for neighbors with honor and chivalry.
### 4. **Respect for Neighbors in Islam**
After the advent of Islam, these deep-rooted traditions were further enhanced, with Islam elevating them by making good treatment of the neighbor an act of worship that brings a Muslim closer to Allah. Kindness to neighbors became a central part of Islamic ethics, which every Muslim must embody.
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
> "Fear Allah regarding your neighbors, for they are the advice of your Prophet."
This saying highlights the special attention given by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to neighbors and the importance of preserving his advice on kindness to neighbors.
### 5. **Stories from the Life of the Prophet with His Neighbors**
In the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there are many great examples of his treatment of his neighbors. The Prophet would visit his neighbors, check on their well-being, and assist them in their needs.
One of the most famous stories about the Prophet is the story of his Jewish neighbor, who used to harm him by placing trash in front of his house. Despite this, the Prophet treated him kindly and never responded with harm. When this neighbor fell ill, the Prophet visited him to check on his health, which led the neighbor to be impressed by the Prophet’s character and eventually embrace Islam.
### 6. **Conclusion**
In conclusion, Islam came to affirm and enhance the noble Arab traditions, especially the value of respecting one’s neighbor. The prophetic Hadiths on this matter emphasize the importance of good treatment of neighbors, prohibit harming them, and urge kindness towards them, regardless of their religion or background.
Respecting neighbors and treating them well is not only a moral value that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged, but it is also an essential part of true faith in Allah and the Last Day, and it is an integral part of social life in Islam.
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