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:
- Near neighbor (dhu al-qurba): Related by kin — holds the right of neighborliness plus the right of kinship.
- Far neighbor (al-junub): Unrelated by kinship.
- 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.
Question: What categories of neighbors are mentioned in Nisa 36? What is the most important right of the neighbor?
Answer: Near neighbor, far/unrelated neighbor, companion at your side. Most important right: refraining from harm — "must not harm his neighbor."