Patience with the Harm of the Neighbor
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Question: I have a neighbor who is addicted to intoxicants and harms me with his tongue. At times he is very kind to me, but at the same time he argues with me and plots against me. What should I do with him, since he is my neighbor? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best of good.
Answer: There is no doubt that the neighbor has a right in Islam, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic) has enjoined kindness to the neighbor.Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Nisa: 36] .
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 47b , or as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said.
So the neighbor, without doubt, has a right upon his neighbor to be treated with kindness.
As for what you mentioned about your neighbor committing major sins and drinking intoxicants, it is obligatory for you to advise him, forbid him from it, warn him of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), admonish him, and inform him that as long as he believes in Allah and the Last Day, he must repent to Allah from these sins, grave sins, and major transgressions. It is obligatory for you to advise him and remind him, perhaps Allah will guide him through you. He has a right upon you, and this is emphasized by the fact that he is your neighbor. It is obligatory for you to advise him, admonish him, and remind him. If he persists and does not repent, then you should boycott him for the sake of Allah by leaving off speaking to him and sitting with him until he repents to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
As for if he causes you harm in your rights, then what you should do is be patient with the neighbor's harm and respond to it with kindness. Responding to evil with kindness is among the characteristics of the people of faith, and it is what Allah has enjoined. However, along with the advice and admonition we mentioned, if the situation requires that you boycott him and leave off speaking to him and sitting with him, perhaps that will be a deterrent for him and a cause for his repentance, while being patient with the harm he inflicts on you. The neighbor, without doubt, has a right upon his neighbor, and Allah is the One to be sought for help.
Answer: There is no doubt that the neighbor has a right in Islam, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic) has enjoined kindness to the neighbor.Allah the Exalted said:
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنْبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًاAnd the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day does not harm is neighbour
من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يؤذي جارهSo the neighbor, without doubt, has a right upon his neighbor to be treated with kindness.
As for what you mentioned about your neighbor committing major sins and drinking intoxicants, it is obligatory for you to advise him, forbid him from it, warn him of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), admonish him, and inform him that as long as he believes in Allah and the Last Day, he must repent to Allah from these sins, grave sins, and major transgressions. It is obligatory for you to advise him and remind him, perhaps Allah will guide him through you. He has a right upon you, and this is emphasized by the fact that he is your neighbor. It is obligatory for you to advise him, admonish him, and remind him. If he persists and does not repent, then you should boycott him for the sake of Allah by leaving off speaking to him and sitting with him until he repents to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
As for if he causes you harm in your rights, then what you should do is be patient with the neighbor's harm and respond to it with kindness. Responding to evil with kindness is among the characteristics of the people of faith, and it is what Allah has enjoined. However, along with the advice and admonition we mentioned, if the situation requires that you boycott him and leave off speaking to him and sitting with him, perhaps that will be a deterrent for him and a cause for his repentance, while being patient with the harm he inflicts on you. The neighbor, without doubt, has a right upon his neighbor, and Allah is the One to be sought for help.