Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In today’s self-serving and opportunistic era, the rights of neighbors have been relegated to the background; far from fulfilling their rights, people do not even recognize who their neighbors are. In one corner of the street, there is mourning, while in another corner, wedding ceremonies are taking place in full swing. Yet, the rights of neighbors are such that Sayyiduna Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu narrates: My beloved friend Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam advised me, saying: “When you cook broth (a dish with gravy), increase its water, then look to a household among your neighbors and send some of it to them with kindness.” (Muslim) … When you cook a dish with broth, add more water to it, then look for a house among your neighbors and send a portion of it to them with goodness.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Let not a neighbor prevent his neighbor from placing a wooden beam in his wall.” (Bukhari, Muslim) … No neighbor should prevent his neighbor from embedding a piece of wood in his wall. That is, if a neighbor wishes to place a rafter or beam for a shed on the wall of his neighbor’s house, he should not be prevented from doing so.

The following blessed hadith is also extremely worthy of consideration:

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “How many neighbors will be clinging to their neighbors (on the Day of Judgment), saying: O my Lord! Ask this one—why did he close his door on me and withhold his surplus from me?” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad by al-Bukhari: 111, Sahihah: 2646)