CHAPTER TWO: NEIGHBOURS – PART 3
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, encouraged giving gifts to the neighbor even if it is only something small:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Muslim women! Do not let women disdain [a gift] for her neighbor, even if it is only a hoof of a sheep.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2566) and Muslim (1030).)
This indicates that a neighbor should not refrain from giving a gift to her neighbor because she thinks it is too small. Rather she gives whatever she can as a gift, even something as small as a sheep’s hoof, for it is better than nothing. He mentioned the hoof as a form of exaggeration, indicating anything very cheap and small.
Or the meaning could be referring to the one who receives the gift, i.e. that one should not think lightly of any gift that is given to him even if it is small.
The narration encourages giving gifts even if it is small, because it is not always possible to give big gifts, and if many small gifts are given they become considerable. It also shows the virtue of loving one another and not burdening oneself with what he cannot afford. (The explanation of An-Nawawi on the book of Muslim (120/7), Fat-h Al-Baari (198/5) and Fat-h Al-Baari (445/10).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, encouraged gifting food to neighbors:
Abu Tharr (a Companion) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: “O Abu Tharr, if you cook some broth then add more water to it, and give some to your neighbors.” (Reported by Muslim (2625).)
In another narration he said: “My close friend (the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), advised me if I cook broth to increase its water, then to choose one of my neighbors and give them some of it.” (Reported by Muslim (4759).)
Many people are heedless of this matter and do not give their neighbors any food, even though they may have cooked more than they need, and will throw the leftovers away. At the same time, some of his neighbors may go to sleep hungry because of their lack of food. This goes against the right of the neighbor and being honorable. Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that he heard the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say: “He does not believe in me, the one who goes to sleep full while his neighbor is hungry and he is aware of him.” (Reported by At-Tabarani (751).)
Anas ibn Maalik narrated that his mother Umm Sulaym said: “Go to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and say, ‘If you would like to eat lunch at our home, then feel free.’” So I went and told him, and he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “And those who are with me also?” I said: “Yes.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to them: “Get up.”
I came back and went to Umm Sulaym and I was surprised by how many people had come with the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. She said to me, “What have you done, Anas?” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered and said: ‘Do you have butter?’ She replied that she did. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told her to bring it.
So I brought it and he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, opened it and said: “O Allah, increase the blessings in it.” The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Flip it over,” so I did. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, squeezed it while saying: “In the name of Allah.” I took the pot and over eighty men were able to eat from it. Some of it was left over, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave it to Umm Sulaym and said: “Eat and feed your neighbors.” (Reported by Ahmad (13135).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to accept the invitation of his neighbors and bring his wife with him:
Anas ibn Maalik narrated that one of the neighbors of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was a Persian man, and he used to make delicious soup. He made some for the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and invited him, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked: “And her also?” (Meaning is ‘Aa’ishah also invited?) The man said: “No.” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not accept.
The man came again, and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked: “And her?” The man said: “No.” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not accept again. He came a third time to invite him, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “And her?” The man said: “Yes.” So they walked to his home. (Reported by Muslim (2037).)
They mentioned that the reason the Persian man did not want to invite ‘Aa’ishah at first is that there was only a little food, so he wanted it all to be for the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
An-Nawawi (a scholar) said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not like to eat the food alone without her, and this is from the good manners in a relationship and one of the rights of companionship.” (The explanation of An-Nawawi on the book of Muslim (209/13).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to endure any harm from his neighbors:
Umm Salamah (the wife of the Prophet) said: “I was with the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, under a blanket when one of the neighbor’s sheep entered through the door and took some bread. So I stood up and took it out of its mouth. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “You should not have taken it so harshly, no harm of a neighbor is taken lightly.” (Reported by At-Tabarani (258/23 number 535), Ibn Al-A’raabi (353) and Al-Haythami (170/8).)
Al-Manaawi (a scholar) said: “The meaning of this is any form of harm from a neighbor is not taken lightly, for even if it is a small act (like being harsh to his animal) it will still be considered a serious sin. Thus, enduring harm from a neighbor and responding in a good way is one of the best characteristics and manners.” (At-Tayseer Sharh Al-Jaami’ As-Sagheer (502/2).)
Al-Hasan (a scholar) said: “Being a good neighbor is not just to refrain from harming them, rather it is to endure if they harm you.” (Jaami’ Al-‘Uloom wa Al-Hikam (page 141).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, made the opinion of the neighbors the scale of a good or evil person:
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (a Companion) narrated that a man came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: “How can I know if I am doing good or evil?” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If you hear your neighbors saying you have done well, then you have done well. If you hear them say you have acted badly, then you have acted badly.”(Reported by Ibn Maajah (4223).)
A man should not prevent his neighbor from something that benefits him:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If one of you is asked by his neighbor to place a piece of wood in his wall, then do not prevent him.” When Abu Hurayrah narrated this narration, they lowered their heads. He said: “Why do I see you turning away from it? By Allah, I will throw it between your shoulders (i.e. I will keep reminding you until you accept it).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2463), Muslim (1609) and At-Tirmidhi (1273). The wording is for At-Tirmidhi.)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also recommended to offer the neighbor to buy the house before selling it to someone else.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The neighbor has more right to what is next to him.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2258) on the authority of Abu Raafi’.)
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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