Rights of people means right of every human being. Every human being depends on other human beings in his social and collective life because man cannot fulfil all his basic needs alone. So, he gets some rights in return for paying off some duties. According to the teachings of Quran and Sunnah, the progress of a society depends upon the factor that all men should support each other in welfare works. Their kindness should be based solemnly on well-wishing and courtesy. The rights of people include the rights of parents, siblings, teachers, friends, relatives and non-Muslims as well as the rights of neighbours.
i. The Importance of Rights of Neighbours
At many places, the Holy Quran explains the rights of neighbours along with the rights of relatives. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتْمَى وَالْمَسْكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى
وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ
Translation:
"Worship Allah, and do not associate with Him anything, and be good to parents and to kinsmen and orphans and the needy and the close neighbour and the distant neighbour and the companion at your side and the wayfarer." (Surah An-Nisa: 36)
According to this verse of the Holy Quran, there are three types of neighbours.
- Relative Neighbour
- Nearby Neighbour
- Short-Timed Neighbour
By declaring it (Fulfilling the rights of neighbours) as a part of faith, the Holy Prophet said thrice:
By God, he is not a believer. It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who is he? He said:
He from whose evil his neighbour is not safe." (Sahi Bukhari: 6016)
In Islam, neighbors not only includes people who live together, but also those who live in the same neighbourhood, business partners, fellow travelers and classmates, all people working together in an office and institution are included in the circle of neighbourliness. Holy Prophet while describing the virtues of neighbour's rights said that Jibreel() repeatedly told me in this way that I thought that perhaps the neighbor should have a share in the inheritance. (Sahih Bukhari: 6015)
ii. Etiquettes
- Take the initiative in greeting neighbours.
- Visit them when they are sick.
- Console them in times of trouble.
- Join in their joy.
- Attend their funeral.
- Help them financially in times of financial need.
- Hide their faults.
- Don't block their way home.
- Have a gentle conversation with their children.
- Do not be negligent in protecting your neighbour's home in their absence.
- Guide them in matters of religion and world in which they need guidance.
The right of neighbour is not only to avoid causing pain to the neighbour but also to bear the pain caused by one's neighbour is also included in neighbour's rights.
iii. Social Effects
The biggest social impact of the rights of neighbours is that it creates feelings of altruism in the society. It is the social effect of good behavior with neighbours that people share each other's sorrows and joys. They contribute financially and physically in every legitimate work, thereby setting an example of human sympathy and cooperation in the society. Individuals prove to be helpful in the development of the society and the state. It is these sympathies and good behavior that make a state successful. We must fulfill the rights of our neighbours, so that we can be successful in this worldly and hereafter life and our society will be on the path of progress.
