Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:

➊
Exchanging gifts is a very good way to establish good relations among neighbors.

➋
It is better to give something that can be used immediately rather than expensive gifts.

➌
When a special dish is prepared, some portion of it should also be sent to the neighbors.

➍
Even ordinary, simple food can be sent.

➎
If a modest gift is received, it should be accepted and thanks should be expressed.

➏
By adding more water to the meat and sending some curry to the neighbors, one adopts a method that does not require any special extra expense.
Other such things can also be done.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Ta‘ahhud:
Examine their circumstances,
Take care of them and be mindful of them.

Benefits and Issues:
It is understood from this hadith that
if a neighbor is needy and in want, and is not well-off or wealthy, then it is not correct to ignore him and only be concerned with one’s own enjoyment of food and drink.
Rather, even if there is not much capacity or abundance, one should at least increase the broth (shorba) and
give some of it to him.

Takhrij:
[مسلم البر والصلة 6688]

Benefits:
➊ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said that Jibril (alayhis salam) continued to advise me regarding the neighbor so much so that I thought he would make him an heir. [متفق عليه]
➋ This hadith draws attention to the fact that one should not only think of one’s own pleasure, but also consider one’s neighbor. If there is little meat or vegetables and you cannot give some to your neighbor, then increase the broth so that you can give some to your neighbor as well. It is against magnanimity that you eat roasted meat while your neighbor eats without any gravy.
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhuma) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
«ليس المومن بالذي يشبع وجاره جائع الي جنبه» [البيهمي فى شعب الايمان وحسنه الالباني فى حاشية المشكوة 4991]
“A believer is not one who eats his fill while his neighbor beside him is hungry.”
➌ When giving a gift to a neighbor, one should not think, “Why should I give thin broth or something ordinary as a gift?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Let not any neighbor consider anything insignificant to give to her neighbor, even if it is only the hoof of a goat.” [صحیح بخاری، هبة /1]

Takhrij:
«أخرجه مسلم، البر والصلة، باب الوصية بالجار والإحسان إليه، حديث:2625.»©Explanation:
In this hadith, there is a command to show good conduct towards the neighbor, to the extent that if the occasion arises to cook meat, instead of preparing a curry (qorma) or roasted meat, one should add a little more water to make broth (shorba), and send some of it to the neighbor’s house as well.

If the neighbor is poor, then this instruction of yours will be for obligation (wujub), and if he is wealthy, then it will be considered recommended (istihbab).

In another hadith, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Jibril alayhis salam continued to advise me regarding the neighbor to the extent that I thought he would make him an heir.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Adab, Chapter: The Recommendation Regarding the Neighbor… Hadith: 6014, 6015)

Benefit:

➊ Exchanging gifts is a very good way to establish good relations among neighbors.

➋ Instead of giving expensive gifts, it is better to give something that can be used immediately.

➌ When a special dish is prepared, some portion of it should also be sent to the neighbors.

➍ Even ordinary, simple food can be sent.

➎ If a modest gift is received, it should be accepted and thanks should be expressed.

➏ By adding more water to the meat and sending some curry to the neighbors, one adopts a method that does not require any special extra expense. Other things of this kind can also be included.