Neighbor: The Door of Paradise

Abdullah Masud

Abdullah Masud

Registered Member
A neighbor is anyone who lives or works close to you, whether in a residence, shop, or workplace. Islam places great emphasis on the rights and treatment of neighbors. There are many verses in the Holy Quran and countless sayings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding neighbors. Here, I would like to share a few of them:
  1. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
    “He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his harm.” (Reported by Muslim)
  2. He also said:
    “He is not a true believer who eats his fill while his neighbor beside him goes hungry.” (Reported by Abu Ya‘la, Tamam in Al-Fawa’id, and Al-Bayhaqi)
  3. A man asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah, there is a woman who is praised for her abundant prayer, fasting, and charity, but she hurts her neighbors with her speech.”
    The Prophet replied, “She will be in Hell.”
    The man then asked about another woman who is not known for much prayer, fasting, or charity, yet she gives even small gifts and never harms her neighbors with her words.
    The Prophet said, “She will be in Paradise.” (Reported by Ahmad)
These are just a few examples from the teachings of Islam that clearly identify and emphasize the rights of neighbors. Many Islamic books clearly mention other social and legal rights based on the Prophet’s teachings, such as offering assistance, maintaining privacy, visiting the sick, and avoiding harm to property or peace.

I would like to know — what are your views on the importance of neighbors’ rights, whether from a religious or secular perspective?
 
Abdullah Masud said:
A neighbor is anyone who lives or works close to you, whether in a residence, shop, or workplace. Islam places great emphasis on the rights and treatment of neighbors. There are many verses in the Holy Quran and countless sayings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding neighbors. Here, I would like to share a few of them:
  1. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
    “He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his harm.” (Reported by Muslim)
  2. He also said:
    “He is not a true believer who eats his fill while his neighbor beside him goes hungry.” (Reported by Abu Ya‘la, Tamam in Al-Fawa’id, and Al-Bayhaqi)
  3. A man asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah, there is a woman who is praised for her abundant prayer, fasting, and charity, but she hurts her neighbors with her speech.”
    The Prophet replied, “She will be in Hell.”
    The man then asked about another woman who is not known for much prayer, fasting, or charity, yet she gives even small gifts and never harms her neighbors with her words.
    The Prophet said, “She will be in Paradise.” (Reported by Ahmad)
These are just a few examples from the teachings of Islam that clearly identify and emphasize the rights of neighbors. Many Islamic books clearly mention other social and legal rights based on the Prophet’s teachings, such as offering assistance, maintaining privacy, visiting the sick, and avoiding harm to property or peace.

I would like to know — what are your views on the importance of neighbors’ rights, whether from a religious or secular perspective?
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Hmm, it looks as if you are just here to preach, which is against forum rules. I’m going to report you.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
Do you think that judgment is fair? I’d be interested to hear your reasoning.
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I think you are preaching but you are also asking questions. We have some Christian posters telling us why we are wrong so I am ok with a Muslim telling me why I am wrong.
 
Pinball1970 said:
Does it happen like that in reality?
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Yes, historically, Islam emphasized neighborly rights for everyone, regardless of faith. For example, In Medina, the Prophet established the Constitution of Medina, which guaranteed the rights and protection of all residents, including Jews and other non-Muslims. Muslims were required to help protect their neighbors, maintain peace, and avoid harming anyone, regardless of religion, and there are many examples of this throughout Islamic history.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
Yes, historically, Islam emphasized neighborly rights for everyone, regardless of faith. For example, In Medina, the Prophet established the Constitution of Medina, which guaranteed the rights and protection of all residents, including Jews and other non-Muslims. Muslims were required to help protect their neighbors, maintain peace, and avoid harming anyone, regardless of religion, and there are many examples of this throughout Islamic history.
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Well I can argue that but before I continue I would offer this advice.
If you want to tell us about the Koran and how the texts within give instructions for a moral life I am all ears.
Posting a sermon with quotes followed by an innocent question looks like you are sneaking the preach in by the back door.
It may put potential responders off.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
Yes, historically, Islam emphasized neighborly rights for everyone, regardless of faith. For example, In Medina, the Prophet established the Constitution of Medina, which guaranteed the rights and protection of all residents, including Jews and other non-Muslims. Muslims were required to help protect their neighbors, maintain peace, and avoid harming anyone, regardless of religion, and there are many examples of this throughout Islamic history.
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Also do not run away when an answer to your question comes your way that does not support your view.

Anyway, the Koran on Apostates, "There is no compulsion in religion."
I like that but we also have, "....Satan enticed them" and also, "kill them wherever you find them."
Not so nice.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
A neighbor is anyone who lives or works close to you, whether in a residence, shop, or workplace. Islam places great emphasis on the rights and treatment of neighbors. There are many verses in the Holy Quran and countless sayings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding neighbors. Here, I would like to share a few of them:
  1. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
    “He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his harm.” (Reported by Muslim)
  2. He also said:
    “He is not a true believer who eats his fill while his neighbor beside him goes hungry.” (Reported by Abu Ya‘la, Tamam in Al-Fawa’id, and Al-Bayhaqi)
  3. A man asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah, there is a woman who is praised for her abundant prayer, fasting, and charity, but she hurts her neighbors with her speech.”
    The Prophet replied, “She will be in Hell.”
    The man then asked about another woman who is not known for much prayer, fasting, or charity, yet she gives even small gifts and never harms her neighbors with her words.
    The Prophet said, “She will be in Paradise.” (Reported by Ahmad)
These are just a few examples from the teachings of Islam that clearly identify and emphasize the rights of neighbors. Many Islamic books clearly mention other social and legal rights based on the Prophet’s teachings, such as offering assistance, maintaining privacy, visiting the sick, and avoiding harm to property or peace.

I would like to know — what are your views on the importance of neighbors’ rights, whether from a religious or secular perspective?
Click to expand...
That has to be some of the dumbest, most ridiculous teachings I've ever seen. Someone goes to hell for their speech? Insane. Religion poisons everything.
 
(Q) said:
That has to be some of the dumbest, most ridiculous teachings I've ever seen. Someone goes to hell for their speech? Insane. Religion poisons everything.
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It reminds me of a child who opens a book, reads a few lines without understanding the subject, and then quickly says, “This makes no sense” or “What a ridiculous teaching this is.”
Sorry, don’t misunderstand — the problem is when someone doesn’t realize what he doesn’t understand, yet thinks he understands everything.
 
Pinball1970 said:
Also do not run away when an answer to your question comes your way that does not support your view.

Anyway, the Koran on Apostates, "There is no compulsion in religion."
I like that but we also have, "....Satan enticed them" and also, "kill them wherever you find them."
Not so nice.
Click to expand...

Before forming a judgment, it’s important to know who a verse speaks about and what situation it was revealed in. Without context, any scripture can sound confusing.

The verses you quoted were revealed in specific historical situations, especially during times of open warfare when Muslims were under attack. They are not general instructions for dealing with peaceful people.

This is why Islam also says very clearly:
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
Meaning no one can be forced to accept Islam, and peaceful people are to be treated with justice and kindness.

So the issue is not the verses themselves, but mixing their contexts. Once you understand when and why each verse was revealed, the confusion disappears.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
It reminds me of a child who opens a book, reads a few lines without understanding the subject, and then quickly says, “This makes no sense” or “What a ridiculous teaching this is.”
Click to expand...
The subject is easy to understand but the reasoning on the part of Muhammad makes no sense and is ridiculous to send someone to hell for their speech. That is insanity.
Abdullah Masud said:
Sorry, don’t misunderstand — the problem is when someone doesn’t realize what he doesn’t understand, yet thinks he understands everything.
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Yes, like Muhammad who pretended to understand everything but instead created an ignorance monster, much like other religions created by ignorant fools.
 
Abdullah Masud said:
Before forming a judgment, it’s important to know who a verse speaks about and what situation it was revealed in. Without context, any scripture can sound confusing.

The verses you quoted were revealed in specific historical situations, especially during times of open warfare when Muslims were under attack. They are not general instructions for dealing with peaceful people.

This is why Islam also says very clearly:
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
Meaning no one can be forced to accept Islam, and peaceful people are to be treated with justice and kindness.

So the issue is not the verses themselves, but mixing their contexts. Once you understand when and why each verse was revealed, the confusion disappears.
Click to expand...
To bad that for most, if not all, of its' existence Islam has been an aggressor and converted by the sword. Its' treatment of women is unacceptable as its' present day treatment of Christians and Jews. It proports to be a religion of peace, but acts like a religion of war.
 
Wizard of Whatever said:
To bad that for most, if not all, of its' existence Islam has been an aggressor and converted by the sword. Its' treatment of women is unacceptable as its' present day treatment of Christians and Jews. It proports to be a religion of peace, but acts like a religion of war.
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It is enough to look at history with an honest eye. Take just one example. Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent lasted about six centuries, yet the overwhelming majority of the population remained Hindu. If Islam had spread by force, the demographic reality today would be completely different. This single fact is enough to expose the myth of conversion by the sword.

As for the treatment of women and others, Islam has a balanced and principled system. It neither oppresses nor exaggerates. It sets rights, responsibilities, and protections in a way that is rooted in justice. Anyone who studies it deeply sees this difference clearly.
 
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