Table of Contents
Nearness in Space, Nearness in Responsibility
Islam gives a special moral weight to the people who live around us. A neighbor is not only the one whose house borders ours, but anyone whose life is closely connected to ours by proximity, repeated contact, or shared space. This includes people in an apartment building, on the same street, in a dormitory, or in surrounding workplaces. The closer the physical nearness, the greater the responsibility.
The Qurʾan places neighbors in the same breath as parents and relatives, which shows their high status in Islam.
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor and the distant neighbor, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful.”
(Qurʾan 4:36)
Scholars explain that “the near neighbor” includes neighbors of kin and those very close in distance, and “the distant neighbor” includes neighbors not related by blood, or slightly farther but still within the circle of daily interaction.
The closer a neighbor is in location or relationship, the stronger your duty to honor and protect their rights.
Honor and Kind Treatment
The Prophet ﷺ described good neighborliness as part of complete faith. Treating neighbors well is not optional etiquette. It is an act of worship and a sign that faith is alive in the heart.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)
To honor a neighbor means to show respect, kindness, and concern. It covers how we speak, what we do, and what we avoid doing. This includes greeting them, checking on them when they are ill or absent, visiting with propriety, and helping them in their needs according to one’s ability.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that kindness to neighbors is part of his mission of moral completion. He said:
“I have been sent only to perfect righteous character.”
(Musnad Ahmad)
Good character cannot be complete if a Muslim harms or neglects those living closest to him.
Honoring neighbors is a practical expression of belief in Allah and the Last Day, not just social politeness.
The Serious Warning Against Harming Neighbors
Among all people, neighbors are the most vulnerable to our noise, smell, sight, and daily habits. For this reason, Islam strongly forbids harming them in any form, whether by word, action, or neglect.
The Prophet ﷺ spoke with clear, repeated warning:
“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.”
(Al Bukhari)
This does not mean that such a person has left Islam, but that his faith is extremely deficient and flawed. It is a terrifying description, meant to make a Muslim constantly watchful of how his behavior impacts those around him.
Harm to neighbors includes loud arguments, loud music or noise, blocking shared pathways, dangerous driving in residential areas, throwing trash in shared spaces, invading their privacy, or allowing children or guests to disturb their peace without concern. It also includes insults, mockery, or spreading rumors and private information.
Any continuous harm that reaches a neighbor from you is a major violation of neighborly rights and a grave sin.
The Link Between Faith and Neighborly Goodness
Islam connects faith not only to prayer and fasting but also to the way we live among people. Good treatment of neighbors is directly tied to belief in the unseen and the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith shows that the believer’s tongue, his relationship with neighbors, and his hospitality are essential fruits of true faith. Belief in the Last Day makes a Muslim careful about every right he owes to others, including those who live around him.
A Measure of the “Best” in Islam
The Prophet ﷺ gave a criterion to measure who is best in terms of conduct. He said:
“The best of companions to Allah is the best of them to his companion, and the best of neighbors to Allah is the best of them to his neighbor.”
(At Tirmidhi)
The “neighbor who is best to his neighbor” is the one who combines avoiding harm with active kindness. He protects his neighbor’s interests, safety, and honor, and offers help when needed.
Excellence in Islam is not only seen in worship to Allah, but also in being the best possible neighbor.
Practical Aspects of Neighborly Rights
Islamic texts describe neighborly goodness in practical and simple actions, suitable for any time and place. This includes sharing food, offering help, and maintaining sensitivity to their feelings and needs.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Muslim women, none of you should belittle giving a gift to her neighbor, even if it is only a sheep’s hoof.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Even something small and inexpensive, if given with good intention, strengthens bonds and fulfills a right. What matters is the spirit of generosity and concern.
He ﷺ also said:
“When you cook a stew, put more water in it and give some to your neighbors.”
(Muslim)
This illustrates a simple habit: whenever Allah blesses you with food or a special meal, remember those next door. Invite them sometimes, send them a portion, or at least refrain from flaunting food in front of a hungry neighbor.
Practical rights include: guarding their privacy, lowering one’s gaze from what is inside their home or yard, keeping one’s building, doorway, and surroundings clean, and making sure that personal comforts are not a cause of difficulty to them.
Never underestimate small acts of kindness toward neighbors, because they carry great weight with Allah.
Who Counts as a Neighbor?
Islamic jurists and scholars, based on prophetic guidance, considered neighbors to be of different circles: those who are neighbors in house, in place of prayer, in trade, or in travel. The closest circle in housing has the strongest rights, but the general standard of good conduct applies widely.
The Qurʾanic verse mentions “the near neighbor and the distant neighbor” together.
“…and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor and the distant neighbor…”
(Qurʾan 4:36)
The “near neighbor” can include the one next door and those whose homes are immediately adjacent. The “distant neighbor” can include others in the same street, apartment block, or community, even if not immediately next door. In modern contexts, this can extend to those who share a workplace environment or a student dormitory, as the elements of nearness, repeated contact, and mutual impact are similar.
Anyone who is consistently affected by your presence and actions in a shared area carries some level of neighborly right over you.
Neighbors of Different Faiths
The rights of neighbors in Islam do not depend on their religion. Non Muslim neighbors are also entitled to kindness, protection of their rights, and good conduct. The general command to be good to neighbors in the Qurʾan is not restricted to Muslims only. It comes in a verse that speaks of Allah’s worship and general social justice, not of internal Muslim relations only.
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes, from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”
(Qurʾan 60:8)
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have given gifts to non Muslim neighbors, visited them when they were sick, and accepted their gifts. These actions show that the neighbor’s right is based on human dignity and the need for peaceful, kind coexistence.
Islamic scholars even speak of layers of rights. A Muslim neighbor has the right of Islam and the right of neighborliness, and possibly also the right of kinship. A non Muslim neighbor still has the full right of neighborliness, and must not be harmed, insulted, or treated harshly.
It is forbidden to harm or oppress a neighbor because of religion, background, or ethnicity. Neighborly rights apply to every neighbor.
Protection of Life, Property, and Honor
Living next to someone gives a person access to their habits, schedules, and vulnerabilities. Islam stresses that this nearness must never be used to violate a neighbor’s safety, wealth, or dignity.
The Prophet ﷺ said in the Farewell Sermon:
“Indeed, your blood, your wealth, and your honor are sacred to you, like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Neighbors in particular require special care. They should never fear theft, spying, or betrayal from those next door. To betray such trust is not only a crime against the person, but a betrayal of a right that Islam made sacred.
This includes not extending buildings or structures in a way that blocks their access, light, or basic utility without consent, not diverting shared resources unjustly, and not encroaching on shared spaces in a harmful way. These details may differ across laws and cultures, but the principle of not violating neighborly rights is fixed.
A believer must be a source of safety for his neighbor’s life, property, and honor, not a source of fear or suspicion.
Patient Coexistence with Difficult Neighbors
Sometimes neighbors are inconsiderate, rude, or even openly hostile. Islam encourages patience, continued good conduct, and wise dealing, while also allowing a person to take lawful steps to protect themselves and remove harm.
The Prophet ﷺ praised those who bear the harm of neighbors yet remain patient and continue to act righteously. He ﷺ said about the best people:
“A believer who mixes with people and is patient with their harm is better than the believer who does not mix with people and is not patient with their harm.”
(At Tirmidhi)
This includes neighbors, because contact with them is continuous and unavoidable. Patience does not mean accepting serious oppression without seeking help, but it does mean responding to everyday annoyance with calm, forgiveness, and continued respect.
A Muslim tries first to advise gently, communicate clearly, and solve issues politely. If that fails and harm is serious, he can seek mediation or lawful authority. Yet in all situations he must avoid injustice in response, because two wrongs do not make a right.
Your obligation to avoid harming neighbors remains, even if they sometimes harm you. Their bad conduct does not justify injustice from you.
Neighborliness as a Path to Jannah
The Prophet ﷺ linked good neighborly conduct directly to entering Paradise. In one narration, a companion asked him about a woman who was known for prayers, fasting, and charity, but who harmed her neighbors with her tongue. He ﷺ said that she would be in the Fire. Another woman did fewer voluntary acts, but did not harm her neighbors. He ﷺ said that she would be in Paradise.
They said: “O Messenger of Allah, there is a woman who prays at night, fasts in the day, and gives in charity, but she harms her neighbors with her tongue.” He said: “She is in the Fire.” They said: “And there is another who prays the obligatory prayers, gives scraps in charity, and does not harm anyone.” He said: “She is in Paradise.”
(Musnad Ahmad, graded authentic by scholars)
This shows that a person’s acts of worship cannot cover the sin of continual harm to neighbors. Islam is not only about personal devotion to Allah, but also about how that devotion shapes daily behavior.
Consistent harm to neighbors can destroy the reward of many acts of worship and lead a person to punishment in the Hereafter.
Summary of Responsibility
The rights of neighbors in Islam spring from tawḥīd and from the Qurʾanic command to do good to those around us. They include honoring them, protecting them from harm, sharing blessings, respecting their privacy, and treating them justly regardless of their faith. In all of this, the believer remembers that Allah is Ever Watchful over every interaction.
“Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.”
(Qurʾan 4:1)
Living as a good neighbor is one of the clearest signs that faith is real in a person’s heart, and one of the most direct paths to the pleasure of Allah and to His Paradise.