I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have two neighbors and would like to know to which of them I should give presents." He replied, "To the one whose door is nearer to you."
Hadith Text
"I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! I have two neighbors and would like to know to which of them I should give presents.' He replied, 'To the one whose door is nearer to you.'"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 2259 | Book: Shuf'a
Commentary on the Narration
This hadith establishes the principle of prioritizing the closest neighbor when giving gifts, demonstrating the Messenger's wisdom in practical matters of social relations. The proximity mentioned refers to physical closeness, as nearer neighbors are more immediately affected by one's actions and have greater rights due to their constant presence.
Scholars explain that this guidance doesn't negate giving to other neighbors but establishes an order of priority. The wisdom behind this is that closer neighbors witness more of our daily life, are first to offer help in emergencies, and are most affected by our conduct. Thus, maintaining good relations with them takes precedence.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Islamic jurisprudence derives from this hadith that the rights of neighbors vary according to their proximity. The closest neighbor has the strongest claim to kindness, followed by the next closest. This ruling applies to voluntary gifts, not obligatory charity (zakat), which has its own distribution rules.
The hadith also teaches the importance of practical wisdom in applying general principles. While the Quran commands goodness to neighbors generally, the Prophet provided specific guidance for situations where choices must be made, ensuring the most immediate relationships are nurtured first.
Broader Context of Neighbors' Rights
This narration complements other teachings where the Prophet emphasized neighbors' rights so strongly that he said, "Jibril kept recommending me to treat neighbors kindly until I thought he would make them heirs." The priority given to the closest neighbor reflects the comprehensive Islamic approach to building harmonious communities.
The wisdom in this guidance ensures that social bonds are strengthened where they are most needed - in immediate living environments. This fosters safe, cooperative neighborhoods where Muslims can practice their faith in a supportive environment, fulfilling the communal aspects of Islam.