A BELIEVER’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBOUR

This teaching shows that we are not only supposed to have good will towards our neighbours but we should also offer practical help whenever they are in need. Such great emphasis laid by the Prophet on our good treatment of our neighbours shows that the aim of Islam is to awaken the springs of goodness in the human heart. If we can become good to our immediate neighbours, then that will be a guarantee of our being good to other people. For constant good conduct will surely develop a good moral character in us and that will surely reflect in our dealings with whoever we come in contact with. If we observe the injunction of the Prophet in this matter, then without doubt we shall contribute to strengthening society with the bonds of love, affection and brotherhood. These sayings tell us the kind of awareness the Prophet aimed to bring about in people. It was part of his mission to inform people of the reality that all humankind although inhabiting different regions of the world, and seemingly different from one another as regards their colour, language, dress, culture, etc., are each other’s blood brothers and sisters. Hence a proper relationship will be established between all human beings only if they regard one another as sisters and brothers. Only then will proper feelings of love and respect prevail throughout the world. A teaching of the Prophet has been worded thus: “By God, he is not a believer, by God, he is not a believer, by God, he is not a believer, with whom his neighbours are not secure.” It means one of the characteristics of a believer is that he should have love and care for all human beings. One of the lessons the Prophet taught was that we should live among others like flowers, and not like thorns, without giving trouble to anybody. Another of the saying of the Prophet is noteworthy: “If a believer is not able to benefit others, he must at least do them no harm.” According to Islam, the person who becomes useful to others leads his life on a higher plane. But if he fails to do so, he should at least create no trouble for his fellow men. For a man to be a really faithful servant of God, he must live either as a giver or as a no-problem person. There is no third option. The humanity of a person and the first criterion of his religiosity and spirituality are tested by the way he behaves towards his neighbours. Neighbours are our nearest companions. After family members, it is neighbours one comes in contact with. Developing good relations with neighbours is therefore an important aspect of a God-oriented life.