Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 898 [Read full issue]
Neighbours
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
In another hadith the Prophet said, “By Allah, he is not a believer. By Allah, he is not a believer. By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was said to him, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?” He said, “The one from whose affairs his neighbour is not safe.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
One time the Prophet was asked about a woman who performed lots of prayers, fasted and gave charity but she used to harm her neighbour by her speech. The Prophet said that she is in the Hell-fire. Then the Prophet was asked about a woman who did not fast, pray or give in charity much [more than what was obligatory upon her] but she would not harm her neighbours. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that she is in Paradise. [Ahmad]
The Prophet also demonstrated specific ways by which one can begenerous or courteous to his neighbour. The Messenger of Allah once said to Abu Dharr, “O Abu Dharr, when you prepare stew, increase its water and deliver it to some of your neighbours." [Muslim]
A Muslim can know if he is fulfilling the condition of true faith mentioned in these hadiths. When the Prophet was asked about how one could tell if he was treating his neighbours well, he said, “If you hear them saying, ‘You have done well,’ then you have done well. If you hear them saying, ‘You have done evil,’ then you have done evil.” [Ahmad]
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, Vol. 2, pp. 646, 647