Basic Ethics & Manners Surah: Al-Nisa (36)

Verse: "Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the far neighbor, the companion at your side..." (4:36)

Categories of neighbors in the verse:

1. Near neighbor (dhu al-qurba): Related by kin — holds the right of neighborliness plus the right of kinship.
2. Far neighbor (al-junub): Unrelated by kinship.
3. Companion at your side: Travel companion or work colleague — some include the wife.

Extent of "neighbor": The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Forty houses is a neighbor" (Abu Dawud) — forty houses in each direction per some scholars.

Rights of the neighbor:

• Refraining from harming him — "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must not harm his neighbor." (Bukhari 6018)
• Showing kindness to him even if non-Muslim.
• Feeding him when hungry — some scholars consider this obligatory.
• Guarding his honor and not exposing his faults.

Levels of kindness: The minimum is avoiding harm; the highest is sharing in joy and sorrow.

Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/183); Ibn Kathir (2/298); Abu Dawud (5155); Bukhari (6018)

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