Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ From this narration, it is understood that the abhorrence of sin sometimes increases depending on the place and the individuals involved. Adultery (zina) is a major sin, but it becomes the gravest of the major sins (akbar al-kaba’ir) when committed with a neighbor’s woman, and it becomes even more heinous when committed with a mahram woman (such as a daughter, sister, paternal aunt, or maternal aunt).

➋ The matter of the neighbor is different from others. A person is cautious regarding a stranger, and a stranger also fears to dare such an act, but there is trust in a neighbor, and when he betrays that trust—despite the fact that, as a neighbor, he should have protected the honor of his neighbor—his sin is considered ten times greater. In one hadith, after shirk and disrespect to parents, this is mentioned as the greatest sin.

➌ In some narrations, instead of (yazni), the word (tazani) is used, which means that not only does he commit adultery, but he establishes such relations with the neighbor’s wife that both of them, with mutual consent, commit this sin. In this way, he not only inclines the neighbor’s wife towards himself but also destroys her household. Although here the mention is of the wife.

➍ From this, it is understood that wherever there is trust, where a person comes and goes, or if someone works in another’s house, he should keep away from immorality, because in such a place, the sin of immorality becomes ten times more severe.

➎ Haram is that which Allah, the Exalted, and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam have declared haram. No member of the ummah has the authority to declare anything lawful or unlawful.

➏ Socially, it has been observed that most people adopt a very careless attitude regarding neighbors. Visiting each other’s homes without formality, women not observing hijab, and free mixing of men and women are such factors that lead to immorality. Taking care of neighbors, participating in their joys and sorrows, and maintaining relations with them is appropriate, but exceeding the limits set by the Shari‘ah is, in any case, impermissible.

➐ Just as with immorality, other sins related to the rights of people (huquq al-‘ibad) also become more severe when committed against neighbors, as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned in the case of theft.