Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said "Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbors Kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs."

Reference

Sahih al-Bukhari 6014 - Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab)

Commentary

This hadith demonstrates the paramount importance Islam places on the rights of neighbors. The angel Gabriel's persistent emphasis on neighborly kindness indicates this is a matter of divine concern, not merely social etiquette.

The Prophet's remark that he thought neighbors would be made heirs illustrates the extreme degree to which neighbors' rights extend in Islam. While Islamic inheritance laws are fixed by divine decree, the spiritual emphasis on neighbors approaches the level of familial obligation.

Scholars explain that "neighbors" includes those of different faiths, extending the obligation beyond Muslim communities. The kindness mentioned encompasses both material assistance and respectful conduct, protecting neighbors from harm while actively benefiting them.

This teaching establishes that proper treatment of neighbors is integral to complete faith, as it reflects one's relationship with Allah through interactions with His creation.