Who Is a Neighbor, and How Do Neighbors’ Rights Differ?

A neighbor is someone who lives beside or near you, whether directly adjoining your home or living close to you in the neighborhood, building, or street, according to whom people customarily regard as a neighbor.

The rights of neighbors differ according to proximity, need, kinship, and religion:

1. A neighbor who lives closer has a more emphatic right than one who lives farther away.
2. A neighbor who is also a blood relative has both the right of neighborhood and the right of kinship.
3. A Muslim neighbor has the right of Islam and the right of neighborhood.
4. A non-Muslim neighbor has the right of neighborhood, kindness, and protection from harm.
5. The right of a needy, vulnerable, or elderly neighbor is more emphatic.

The greater the proximity, need, or kinship, the more emphatic the right becomes.

The Most Important Rights of a Neighbor

Among the most important rights of a neighbor are:

1. Refraining from harming the neighbor.
2. Treating the neighbor well in word and deed.
3. Checking on the neighbor when needed.
4. Honoring the neighbor with whatever one can offer.
5. Preserving the neighbor’s dignity and privacy.
6. Not spying on the neighbor.
7. Concealing a neighbor’s mistake when it does not involve injustice or danger, and not spreading the neighbor’s news among people.
8. Assisting the neighbor during hardship when one is able.
9. Offering permissible congratulations and consolation.
10. Remaining patient with minor shortcomings that may occur.

The rights of neighbors are not limited to money. One of the greatest rights is that your neighbor should be safe from your tongue, hand, and conduct.

Treating a Neighbor Well Is a Quality of Faith

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, connected faith with treating one’s neighbor well.

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: "مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُحْسِنْ إِلَى جَارِهِ" رواه مسلم.

He, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbor well.” Narrated by Muslim.

وفي رواية: "مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلَا يُؤْذِ جَارَهُ" متفق عليه.

In another narration: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must not harm his neighbor.” Agreed upon.

Sincere faith is reflected in how a person treats others. A neighbor is among the people closest to a person, seeing and hearing him and being affected by his behavior every day.

The Seriousness of Harming a Neighbor

Harming a neighbor is a dangerous sin because it combines injustice toward people, betrayal of the right arising from proximity, and disruption of tranquility in homes.

قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ، وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ، وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ" قيل: ومن يا رسول الله؟ قال: "الَّذِي لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ" رواه البخاري.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “By Allah, he does not believe. By Allah, he does not believe. By Allah, he does not believe.” He was asked, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The one whose neighbor is not safe from his harmful conduct.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.

وفي لفظ آخر قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لَا يَدْخُلُ الجَنَّةَ مَنْ لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ" رواه مسلم.

In another wording, he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The one whose neighbor is not safe from his harmful conduct will not enter Paradise.” Narrated by Muslim.

The Arabic word “bawa’iqahu” means a person’s evils, treachery, and harm.

This is a severe warning. The negation of faith in the first hadith negates the obligatory completeness of faith; it is not a ruling that every person who harms a neighbor has left Islam. Likewise, the statement about not entering Paradise in the second hadith is one of the texts of warning. Whoever dies upon Tawheed remains under Allah’s will and will not remain in Hell forever. The purpose is to magnify the neighbor’s right and warn against deliberately causing harm until the neighbor fears the person’s evil.

قال الله تعالى: {إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا} [النساء: 48].

Allah the Exalted says, meaning: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him in worship, but forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.” [An-Nisa: 48]

Whoever has a neighbor who fears his harm, is not safe from his scheming, or is continually harmed by him has fallen into a serious matter. He must repent to Allah, stop the harm, and restore people’s rights or seek their pardon as far as possible.

Forms of Harm Against a Neighbor

Forms of harming a neighbor that must be avoided include:

1. Raising one’s voice and disturbing the neighbor without need, especially during rest periods.
2. Leaving garbage or offensive odors near the neighbor’s home.
3. Obstructing the neighbor’s entrance, parking space, or path.
4. Spying on the neighbor or tracking the neighbor’s affairs.
5. Carrying tales about the neighbor or exposing private matters.
6. Allowing children to harm neighbors without correction.
7. Causing harm through animals, property, or noise.
8. Harming the neighbor through repeated disputes, threats, and insults.
9. Withholding a small customary kindness when needed without a reason.
10. Looking down on a neighbor who is poor, vulnerable, or a stranger.

The harm may seem small to the person causing it, but it can be great for someone who experiences it repeatedly every day.

Preserving a Neighbor’s Privacy

من حق الجار ألا يتجسس عليه جاره، ولا يتعمد النظر إلى داخل بيته، ولا يسجل حديثه، ولا ينشر أخباره أو صوره، ولا يوجه كاميرا إلى موضع يكشف خصوصيته. قال الله تعالى: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَحِيمٌ} [الحجرات: 12].

A neighbor has the right not to be spied upon. No one should deliberately look inside the neighbor’s home, record conversations, spread the neighbor’s news or images, or point a camera toward a place that exposes private matters. Allah the Exalted says, meaning: “O believers, avoid many suspicions, for indeed some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.” [Al-Hujurat: 12]

Security must not be used as a pretext to expose people’s homes or record what there is no need to record. If residents need cameras or other protective measures, these should be installed only to the extent necessary and in a way that respects privacy and applicable regulations.

Checking on Neighbors and Treating Them Well With Food and Gifts

Part of being a good neighbor is checking on a neighbor when needed, especially if the neighbor is ill, elderly, poor, widowed, a stranger, or experiencing an emergency.

وقد أرشد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى مراعاة الجيران حتى في الطعام، فقال لأبي ذر رضي الله عنه: "يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ، إِذَا طَبَخْتَ مَرَقَةً، فَأَكْثِرْ مَاءَهَا، وَتَعَاهَدْ جِيرَانَكَ" رواه مسلم.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed Muslims to consider their neighbors even with food. He told Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him: “O Abu Dharr, when you cook broth, add extra water and look after your neighbors.” Narrated by Muslim.

This shows that treating a neighbor well does not always require something large. A small gift, a plate of food, a sincere inquiry, or simple assistance may bring hearts together.

وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "يَا نِسَاءَ المُسْلِمَاتِ، لَا تَحْقِرَنَّ جَارَةٌ لِجَارَتِهَا، وَلَوْ فِرْسِنَ شَاةٍ" متفق عليه.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Muslim women, no female neighbor should belittle a gift to her neighbor, even if it is the hoof of a sheep.” Agreed upon.

The Arabic word “firsin” means a sheep’s hoof. The point is to strongly encourage giving gifts even when they are small. A woman should not belittle whatever she is able to give her neighbor, because a small gift may strengthen affection and remove distance.

The Right of a Non-Muslim Neighbor

Treating neighbors well is not limited to Muslim neighbors. A non-Muslim neighbor also has the right of neighborhood: a Muslim must refrain from causing harm, show customary kindness, act justly, offer permissible consolation, and demonstrate the good character of Islam.

قال الله تعالى: {لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ المُقْسِطِينَ} [الممتحنة: 8].

Allah the Exalted says, meaning: “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.” [Al-Mumtahanah: 8]

A Muslim does not wrong, harm, or look down upon a non-Muslim neighbor. Rather, the Muslim treats that neighbor with customary kindness while remaining proud of Islam and adhering to the Islamic creed and the boundaries of the Shariah.

وكان عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما إذا ذبحت له شاة يقول لأهله: "أَهْدَيْتُمْ لِجَارِنَا اليَهُودِيِّ؟ أَهْدَيْتُمْ لِجَارِنَا اليَهُودِيِّ؟ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: مَا زَالَ جِبْرِيلُ يُوصِينِي بِالجَارِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ سَيُوَرِّثُهُ" رواه الترمذي، وقال: حديث حسن غريب.

When a sheep was slaughtered for Abdullah ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, he would ask his family: “Have you given some to our Jewish neighbor? Have you given some to our Jewish neighbor? I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: ‘Jibril continued to advise me concerning the neighbor until I thought he would make the neighbor an heir.’” Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan gharib hadith.

This reflects how the Companions understood the general instruction concerning neighbors. Kindness to a non-Muslim neighbor applies to permissible worldly matters and does not include participating in the neighbor’s worship, congratulating the neighbor for a false religious rite, or assisting in something prohibited.

Which Neighbors Take Priority in Kindness?

The basic right of neighborhood belongs to every neighbor, but rights become more emphatic according to circumstances. A nearer neighbor takes priority over a more distant one. A neighbor who is a blood relative has two rights, a Muslim neighbor has the rights of Islam and neighborhood, and a needy neighbor deserves particular attention.

Nevertheless, it is prohibited to harm any neighbor, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, near or distant.

وقد سألت عائشة رضي الله عنها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت: إن لي جارين، فإلى أيهما أهدي؟ قال: "إِلَى أَقْرَبِهِمَا مِنْكِ بَابًا" رواه البخاري.

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “I have two neighbors. To which one should I give a gift?” He replied: “To the one whose door is nearest to you.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.

If a Muslim cannot treat every neighbor with additional kindness at the same time, the closest should be given priority, followed by the next closest, and the neediest should be considered first.

How Should a Muslim Deal With a Harmful Neighbor?

If a neighbor causes harm, a Muslim does not respond with injustice or aggression. Rather, the matter is handled wisely:

1. Remain patient with minor harm that can reasonably be tolerated.
2. Advise the neighbor gently if the neighbor is likely to accept advice.
3. Choose an appropriate time and suitable words.
4. Seek help from neighborhood residents, building management, or someone capable of reconciling them when needed.
5. Document the harm and seek its removal through lawful official procedures if it is serious or repeated.
6. Do not insult, wrong, or attack the neighbor.
7. Ask Allah to rectify the situation.

The Shariah does not command a Muslim to remain silent about continuing harm. It commands the Muslim to seek his rights with justice and wisdom, not aggression.

Neighbors’ Rights in Apartment Buildings and Residential Complexes

Apartment buildings and residential complexes have become common today, making it especially important to observe neighbors’ rights in daily matters such as:

1. Not raising one’s voice at night or during rest periods.
2. Respecting parking spaces, entrances, and hallways.
3. Not leaving garbage or offensive odors.
4. Supervising children and teaching them not to disturb neighbors.
5. Not using shared areas in ways that harm others.
6. Respecting neighbors’ privacy and not intruding upon them.
7. Cooperating during breakdowns or emergencies.

These matters may appear administrative or social, but they fall within refraining from harm and maintaining good relations with neighbors.

Common Mistakes in Dealing With Neighbors

1. Limiting a neighbor’s right to offering greetings only.
2. Being careless about disturbing neighbors with loud voices or noise.
3. Spying on neighbors or tracking their affairs.
4. Harming a neighbor because of a minor disagreement.
5. Ignoring a needy or ill neighbor.
6. Belittling a small gift or simple kindness.
7. Failing to teach children to respect neighbors.
8. Assuming that a non-Muslim neighbor has no rights.
9. Using entrances and parking spaces in ways that harm others.
10. Carrying tales between neighbors and inflaming disputes.

Practical Steps for Being a Good Neighbor

A Muslim can practice good neighborliness through simple steps:

1. Begin with the greeting of peace and kind words.
2. Do not raise your voice in a way that harms others.
3. Check on your neighbor when the neighbor is ill, absent, or in need.
4. Offer a small gift when possible.
5. Help during an emergency when you are able.
6. Preserve the neighbor’s privacy and do not spy.
7. Teach your children not to harm neighbors.
8. Apologize if you or someone in your household causes harm.
9. Do not carry words that damage relations between neighbors.
10. Supplicate for your neighbors’ well-being, guidance, and righteousness.

Practical Summary

The rights of neighbors rest upon three great foundations:

1. Refraining from causing harm.
2. Showing whatever kindness one can.
3. Preserving the neighbor’s dignity and privacy.

Whoever wants to be a good neighbor should begin with what is possible: a greeting of peace, kind words, a small gift, assistance when needed, an apology after a mistake, and constant care not to become a cause of distress, fear, or harm to the neighbor.