Seeking His Pleasure Through Patience

Assalaamu’alaikum!

Masya’Allah, the khutbah for the Friday prayers today is amazing… and it really stroke a chord with me…

Do read =)

Being good neighbours in Islam

My dear brothers,

The Eidul Fitri is still being celebrated, through visits to one another, as a practice of our Singaporean Muslim community.  This act of visiting one another can help strengthen our relationship, whether as a family, or even broadly as Muslims.

Part of these visits also include visiting our neighbours, as we often meet them more than other people in our lives today. As such, Islam places importance to neighbours, and accord them rights that must be fulfilled accordingly. 

 Allah s.w.t mentions in Surah al-Nisa’ verse 36: 

“Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers (far), the companion by your side, the wayfarer (that you meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah love not the arrogant, the boastful.”

My dear brothers,

Why are our neighbours given this high status in Islam? It is clear that they are the closest people to us, in terms of dwelling. In times of difficulties or crises, they are the ones who can react fastest or those who first know about what may have happened to us. They are the earliest people who can help us when we need help.

As such, being good to neighbours is taught to us by our beloved Prophet s.a.w:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the hereafter, will do good to his neighbour.” (Narrated by Muslim)
 

This hadith clearly shows that having good relations with neighbours is an important Islamic teaching, to the extent that it reflects upon one’s faith.

Therefore, Islam strongly forbids Muslims from mistreating their neighbours, as mentioned in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a where the Prophet s.a.w said:

“I swear by Allah that one does not have faith, I swear by Allah that one does not have faith, I swear by Allah that one does not have faith! The Prophet was then asked “Who is he who does not have faith? The Prophet s.a.w. replied “One whose neighbour is not safe from his ill-doings/harm.” Hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

My dear brothers,

Among the things that we can do to enhance further our relationship with neighbours are as follows:

First : Be aware of, and concerned with, the conditions of our neighbours. As good Muslims, we should be close to our neighbours and know their basic conditions, such as the education of their children, their work and health conditions, so long as none of these are private matters that they do not want others to know. The point of knowing is so that we are able to offer help where relevant.

Second: Communicate with them in a respectful and warm manner, and offer them good words, and to Muslim neighbours, we should offer our “salam” to them.

It is not difficult to offer the “salam”, because we only need to express it verbally, yet, when we say it sincerely, it is immensely useful and beneficial, as noted by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w:

“By He who holds my life in His hand, you do not enter paradise until you have faith, and you do not have faith until you love each other. Would you like me to show you how you can love one another? Spread the “salam” among yourselves.” Hadith narrated by Muslim.

Third: Offer gifts and help where affordable, whether in the form of food or other household items.

The Holy Prophet s.a.w said to his companion Abu Zar: “O Abu Zar, when you prepare food, prepare more (by adding more water/ingredients) and share it with your neighbours.” Hadith narrated by Muslim.

My dear brothers,

With the presence of this month of happiness and celebrations, let us take the opportunity to visit and help one another, and let us establish good relations between us, as a sign of deeper bonds of brotherhood.

May our efforts lead to a more united community, one that helps us collectively strive to overcome all challenges, big or small.

May our good relations with neighbours lead to a harmonious community life that constantly gets the blessings, mercy and protection of Allah, Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

Beautiful, Masya’Allah… just beautiful…