Neighbours and Community

The rights of neighbours

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave neighbours a remarkable status. He is reported to have said that the angel Gabriel kept urging him to be good to neighbours so often that he thought neighbours might be made heirs.

He also taught that a person whose neighbour does not feel safe from their harm is lacking in true faith. Harm here includes the obvious, such as theft or violence, but also everyday nuisances: noise late at night, blocking someone's driveway, rubbish left outside their door, or gossip about their family.

Importantly, these rights apply to all neighbours, whatever their religion. Classical scholars noted that a neighbour who is also a relative and a Muslim has several rights at once, but even a neighbour with none of those connections still has the right to kindness and to be free from harm.

• Greet neighbours and learn their names.
• Share food, especially on special occasions; the Prophet encouraged adding a little extra water to a stew so there is some to share.
• Visit them when they are ill and check on them in hard times.
• Be patient with small annoyances and avoid causing them.

Welcoming guests

Hospitality has deep roots in Arabian culture, and Islam raised it to a religious virtue. The Prophet is reported to have taught that whoever believes in God and the Last Day should honour their guest.

The Quran tells the story of the Prophet Abraham, who hurried to serve a fine meal to visitors he did not even recognise. Muslims have long taken this as a model of generous, unhesitating welcome.

Hospitality does not have to be lavish. Offering a drink, a warm greeting and genuine attention can matter more than an elaborate meal. What counts is that a guest feels valued and at ease.

Caring for the poor and vulnerable

Throughout the Quran, faith is tied to care for those in need. One short chapter describes a person who denies religion as someone who pushes away the orphan and does not encourage feeding the poor (Quran 107:1-3). Another passage praises those who give food, out of love for God, to the needy, the orphan and the captive, seeking no reward or thanks from them (Quran 76:8-9).

This care is built into Islamic practice. Zakat, one of the Five Pillars, is an annual payment from a person's wealth that goes to the poor and others in need. Beyond this, Muslims are encouraged to give sadaqah, voluntary charity, at any time and in any amount.

Charity is also understood very broadly. The Prophet is reported to have taught that a smile for your brother is charity, that removing something harmful from a path is charity, and that a kind word is charity. Even someone with no money can give.

Serving others as worship

In Islam, worship (ibadah) is not limited to prayer. Any good act done sincerely for the sake of God can become worship. Helping an elderly neighbour with shopping, volunteering at a food bank, tutoring a child or cleaning up a local park can all carry spiritual reward.

The Prophet is reported to have taught that the most beloved people to God are those who are most beneficial to others, and that God continues to help a person as long as that person is helping someone else.

Sincerity matters here. Islam teaches that deeds are judged by their intentions, so help offered quietly, without seeking praise, is especially valued. At the same time, working together openly on shared projects, with people of any faith or none, is warmly encouraged when it serves the common good.

This gives everyday community service a deeper meaning. It is not only good citizenship; it is a way of drawing closer to God.

Being a good presence

The mosque has traditionally been a hub for this kind of care, hosting meals, collections and support for families in difficulty. Many mosques today run food banks, open days and youth programmes that serve the whole neighbourhood.

Yet the heart of this teaching is personal. Every Muslim is encouraged to ask a simple question: are the people around me better off because I live here? Small, steady kindness, offered to everyone, is one of the clearest expressions of faith there is.