'A'isha reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Jibril, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, kept on recommending that I treat neighbours well until I thought that he would order me to treat them as my heirs."
The Hadith of Neighbourly Excellence
From the noble book "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" by Imam al-Bukhari, we examine the profound hadith numbered Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 101, wherein the Mother of Believers 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Jibril kept on recommending that I treat neighbours well until I thought that he would order me to treat them as my heirs."
The Divine Emphasis on Neighbourly Rights
This narration demonstrates the immense importance Islam places on the rights of neighbours. The continuous recommendation from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) - the trusted messenger of divine revelation - indicates this is not merely social etiquette but a matter of spiritual significance.
The Prophet's anticipation that neighbours might be granted inheritance rights shows the extreme emphasis placed upon this obligation. While Islamic inheritance laws remained unchanged, the psychological impact of this repeated emphasis elevates the neighbour's status to near-familial importance.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that this hadith establishes that good treatment of neighbours is among the greatest of Islamic manners (adab). Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that the repetition indicates the obligation is of utmost importance and requires consistent practice.
Al-Qurtubi notes that the neighbour's rights include: protecting their honour, assisting them in times of need, sharing in their joys and sorrows, offering sincere counsel, and refraining from harm whether through word or action. The neighbourhood relationship is considered a sacred trust from Allah.
Practical Implementation
The scholars derived from this that the definition of "neighbour" extends approximately forty houses in every direction. The rights apply regardless of the neighbour's faith or background.
True implementation requires: regular greetings and check-ins, sharing food (especially when cooking something special), offering assistance without expectation of return, overlooking minor faults, and maintaining patience during disagreements. This comprehensive approach transforms mere proximity into genuine community.