Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ In this hadith, two types of neighbors are mentioned: the permanent neighbor in a locality, etc., and the neighbor in the wilderness or during travel. If the neighbor in the wilderness or during travel is bad, a person’s journey becomes difficult. One can get rid of such a neighbor by pitching one’s tent elsewhere, and it is also possible that the person himself moves to another place. However, where a person resides permanently, having spent millions to build a house, it is quite difficult for a person to change residence from there, and at times it is even impossible. Therefore, refuge is sought from the evil of a permanent neighbor.

➋ From this hadith, it is understood that one should strive to find a good neighbor and avoid bad company. However, if a person becomes entangled in a trial, he should continue to fulfill the duty of enjoining good (amr bil-ma‘ruf) and forbidding evil (nahi ‘anil-munkar). In this way, he will be absolved of responsibility for the neighbor’s actions, and on the Day of Judgment, he will also be safe from his neighbor’s company.

➌ If “dar al-maqam” is taken to mean the Hereafter, then its meaning would be: do not grant the company of evil people on the Day of Judgment, for that would certainly be Hell.

➍ Supplication and pleading to Allah is the weapon of the believer. No matter how insightful a person may be, he can make mistakes in decision-making. It is possible that he considers someone good and chooses to be his neighbor, but his assessment turns out to be wrong; or he considers someone good and enters into a partnership with him, but that person turns out to be deceitful. Therefore, one should always continue to plead with Allah.