{"id":2762,"date":"2021-12-03T23:53:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T23:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.salahadeenmosque.org.uk\/?p=2762"},"modified":"2021-12-03T23:53:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-03T23:53:42","slug":"neighbours-in-islam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salahadeenmosque.org.uk\/index.php\/2021\/12\/03\/neighbours-in-islam\/","title":{"rendered":"Neighbours in Islam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As discussed\nin previous reminders, the role of a Muslim goes beyond the ritual worship that\nhe or she performs. Previous reminders have spoken about the character of a\nMuslim and how important it is to conduct oneself with integrity so that the\ncharacter of the Muslim is seen for all and they can bear witness to the perfection\nof Islam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our conduct\nwas outlined through the perfect example of the Prophet SAWS who taught us\nmanners in all our different areas of life. Today\u2019s reminder is focusing on one\nof the many areas and that is our conduct with our neighbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imam\nreferenced the 36th<\/sup> ayat from Sura An-Nisa which is translated to\nsay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worship God; join nothing with Him. Be good to your parents,\nto relatives, to orphans, to the needy, to neighbours near and far, to\ntravellers in need, and to your slaves. God does not like arrogant, boastful\npeople,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear\nbrothers and sisters, in this ayat Allah SWT speaks to those who have rights\nover us and the neighbour is one of them. Not only that, the neighbour is\ndefined as both someone who is near to you but also those who are not, implying\nthe importance of the right of your local community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imam\nalso referenced the following hadith of the Prophet SAWS in which he is\nreported to have said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messenger of Allah (\ufdfa) said, “He who believes in Allah\nand the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah\nand the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in\nAllah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear\nbrothers and sisters, we need to be mindful from both our references that as\nMuslims, we ought to be there for our communities and for our neighbours. As\nMuslims living here, we are often met with neighbours that we may not share\nvalues with, or even in areas where there are non-Muslim neighbours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearly\nthough from these examples, there is no distinction made between the neighbour\nand their rights over us. Regardless of their conduct, we have a responsibility\nto look out for our neighbours, to not harm our neighbours and be active in our\ncommunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be\nchallenging with some neighbours. Some of us may have experienced that we are\nmade to feel unwelcome because of the perception people have of Muslims.\nHowever, we often learn that it is the perception of the Muslim that is\nexperienced first-hand that brings people to Islam and more importantly, kills\nthe disease of Islamophobia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must\nremind ourselves that media may demonise Muslims but it is our conduct in our\nlocal communities and with our nieghbours that holds the greater value in their\nminds and their hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so,\ntodays reminder concludes with 3 practical tips that we can take in order to\nfulfil our duties as Muslims to our nieghbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. We should aim to involve our\nneighbours. From looking out for elderly in our street to offering food during\nRamadan, each is an opportunity for us to spread the word of Islam through\nexemplary manners and kind gestures. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The imam mentioned a hadith today which lends to this point.\nIt is translated to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Prophet SAWS is reported to have said: Jibreel (AS)\nimpressed upon me (the kind treatment) towards the neighbour (so much) that I\nthought as if he would soon confer upon him the (right) of inheritance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n