Mujahid said, "I was with 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr while his slave was skinning a sheep. He said, 'Boy! When you finish, start with the Jewish neighbour.' A man there exclaimed, 'Jewish? May Allah correct you!' He replied, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, recommend that we treat our neighbours well until we feared (or we thought) that he would order us to make them our heirs.'"
Neighbours: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 128
This narration from Abdullah ibn Amr, recorded in Imam Bukhari's Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic neighbourly rights that transcends religious boundaries.
The Incident and Its Significance
When Abdullah ibn Amr instructed his servant to prioritize his Jewish neighbour in distributing meat, his companion expressed surprise at showing such consideration to a non-Muslim neighbour. This reaction reflects a common human tendency to restrict kindness to those of similar faith.
Abdullah's response, grounded in Prophetic teaching, immediately corrected this limited understanding by emphasizing that neighbourly rights in Islam are universal, not conditional upon religious affiliation.
Prophetic Emphasis on Neighbourly Rights
The phrase "until we feared he would order us to make them our heirs" indicates the tremendous emphasis the Prophet placed on neighbours' rights. This hyperbolic expression underscores how frequently and strongly the Messenger of Allah stressed this obligation.
Scholars explain that this demonstrates the neighbour's right is so weighty that it approaches the level of inheritance rights among relatives, though it doesn't literally reach that legal status.
Juridical Rulings Derived
Islamic jurists derive from this hadith that neighbours have rights to kindness, assistance, and sharing food—especially during occasions of slaughtering animals. This applies regardless of the neighbour's religion.
The ruling extends to giving neighbours gifts, checking on their welfare, and maintaining good relations—all being religious obligations (wajib) in Islam rather than mere recommended acts.
Practical Implementation
Muslims are instructed to know their neighbours well enough to understand their circumstances and needs. The practical application includes sharing food during festive occasions, offering help during difficulties, and maintaining peaceful coexistence.
This teaching establishes a model for interfaith relations where basic human compassion precedes theological differences, creating harmonious societies built upon mutual respect and kindness.