Looking After the Neighbor

Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) placed great importance on the right of the neighbor. He said that Jibril kept advising him about the neighbor so much that he came to think the neighbor would be made an heir to the neighbor. He also taught setting aside a share of food for neighbors while cooking, and never causing a neighbor harm. The neighbor is our closest circle; looking after them strengthens the fabric of society.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.

• T1943 Tirmizî, Birr, 28
• M6689 Müslim, Birr, 143
• B6475 Buhârî, Rikâk, 23

More sunnahs in Social Life

As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.

• Visiting the Sick: Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
• Exchanging Gifts: Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
• Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
• Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
• Forgiveness and Keeping One's Word: Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
• Giving Charity: Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
• Faithfulness to a Trust: Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.
• Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
• Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
• Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.