The rights of neighbours in Islam are so important that the Prophet ﷺ said Jibril kept advising him about the neighbour until he thought the neighbour would be made an heir. A good neighbour is a sign of a healthy faith and a peaceful community, and this article explains what the Qur’an and authentic Hadith teach about it.
Why the Rights of Neighbours in Islam Matter
Islam places the neighbour right after parents, relatives, orphans and the poor in the list of people to whom we must be kind. The Qur’an mentions both the neighbour who is near and the neighbour who is a stranger, which shows that the duty applies to everyone who lives or works close to us.
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the neighbour who is near, the neighbour who is a stranger, and the companion at your side.”
Reference: Qur’an 4:36
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “Jibril continued to advise me to treat the neighbour well until I thought he would make him an heir” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6014, Sahih Muslim 2624).
Never Harm Your Neighbour
The first right of a neighbour is safety. A believer must keep his hand, tongue and conduct from causing harm, whether through noise, rubbish, spying, gossip or blocking the neighbour’s way.
“By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was asked, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6016
Share Food and Gifts with Your Neighbours
The Prophet ﷺ advised Abu Dharr: “When you cook a stew, add more water and give some to your neighbours” (Sahih Muslim 2625). He also told women not to look down on a small gift to a neighbour, even if it is only a sheep’s trotter (Sahih al-Bukhari 2566). The gift does not have to be costly; the kindness is what counts.
Speak Well and Honour Them
He ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his neighbour” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6018). Greeting them, visiting them when they are sick, congratulating them in happy times and standing with them in hardship are all part of honouring a neighbour.
Neighbours of Other Faiths
The duty is not limited to Muslims. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr slaughtered a sheep and kept asking his family, “Have you given some to our Jewish neighbour? I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say, ‘Jibril kept advising me about the neighbour…’” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 1943). You can read more about this in our article on the rights of non-Muslims in Islam.
Where Scholars Differ
Scholars agree that harming a neighbour is forbidden. They differ on two practical points. The first is who counts as a neighbour: a narration that says forty houses on each side is graded weak, so many scholars define the neighbour by local custom. The second is the right of pre-emption (shuf’a) when a house is sold. The Hanafi school gives it to the adjoining neighbour, using the hadith “the neighbour has more right to the house of his neighbour” (Sunan Abi Dawud 3518), while the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools limit it to a co-owner, based on Sahih al-Bukhari 2257.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a neighbour in Islam?
Anyone living or working beside you. The Qur’an mentions the near and the distant neighbour (Qur’an 4:36), and scholars refer to custom for the exact limit.
What if my neighbour treats me badly?
Be patient, speak kindly, and seek a fair solution through proper channels. The believer does not answer harm with harm, but he is allowed to seek justice.
Can I give gifts to a non-Muslim neighbour?
Yes. The example of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr shows this, and Qur’an 60:8 allows kindness and justice towards peaceful people of other faiths.
Conclusion
Fulfilling the rights of neighbours in Islam means keeping them safe, sharing with them and honouring them. Small acts, such as a greeting or a plate of food, build trust and protect our faith. For related topics read about kindness inside the home and basic human rights in Islam.
