– A true believer (Muslim) is one whose words and actions bring peace and goodness to others.
– Be mindful of your neighbours. Visit them, help them, protect them, and avoid harming them – Ustaz Idris-Imam
By Danladi Ahmed
KIYI (Abuja) Flowerbudnews: An Abuja-based Islamic Scholar, Ustaz Haroun Idris-Imam has enjoined Nigerians to be kind, merciful and caring for each other to foster enduring peace and security in the country.
Ustaz Idris-Imam gave the admonition on Friday in KIYI Central Masjid in Kuje Area Council, while delivering a pre-jumuah khutba on ”the Rights of Neighbours”.
The Islamic Scholar cautions Nigerians that ALLAH has ordained that human beings, especially, Muslims, should ”show kindness to parents, to relatives, to orphans, to the needy, to the near neighbor, the distant neighbor” and to even travellers.
(Ustaz Haroun Idris Imam)
”Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and boastful,” he said, adding:
”Allah commands us to worship Him alone and immediately follows this command with instructions to uphold the rights of people—beginning with parents and extending to neighbors.”
”This shows the عظيمة (great importance) of good character and social responsibility in Islam,” the Islamic Scholar stressed, adding:
”The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”
He said that this admonition ”teaches us that faith is not only عبادات (acts of worship), but also how we treat those around us,” adding:
”A true believer is one whose words and actions bring peace and goodness to others.
He disclosed that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised the rights of neighbors so strongly that he said:
“Angel, Jibreel (Gabriel) continued to advise me regarding the neighbor, until I thought that he would make him an heir.”
‘:This shows how Islam elevates the status of the neighbor—almost to the level of family in terms of rights and care,” Ustaz Idiris-Imam emphasised.
He said that the Prophet of Islam, (peace be upon him,) also said to Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him):
“O Abu Dharr, when you cook food, add more water to it and give some to your neighbors.”
This teaches generosity, even with little. Sharing, even in small amounts, strengthens love and unity in the community, he pointed out.
”Brothers and sisters,
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us severely about harming neighbors, Ustaz Idria-Imam said, disclosing that the Holy Prophet said:
“He will not enter Paradise, the one whose neighbor is not safe from his harm.”
The Holy prophet, he said, also And repeated that;
“By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!”
It was said: Who, O Messenger of Allah?
He said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.”
”This is a serious warning. Hurting your neighbor—whether through words, actions, noise, ظلم (oppression), or سوء المعاملة (bad behavior)—is a نقص (deficiency) in faith,” the Ustaz said.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also taught us about sincerity in relationships, he said:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a deceitful friend whose eyes see me, but whose heart watches me: if he sees good, he hides it, and if he sees evil, he spreads it.”
Ustaz Idris-Imam also urged that, neighbours should be sincere, protective, and supportive—not jealous or harmful.
‘:Dear believing women, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“O Muslim women, do not let a neighbor look down upon a gift to her neighbour, even if it is only a sheep’s hoof.”
This means no act of kindness is too small. Even the simplest gift can build love between neighbors, he emphasised.
Ustaz Idris-Imam said:
Finally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified the categories of neighbors:
“Neighbors are of three types:
A neighbor with one right, a neighbor with two rights, and a neighbor with three rights.
The one with three rights is the Muslim relative—he has the right of kinship, the right of Islam, and the right of neighborhood.
The one with two rights is the Muslim neighbor—he has the right of Islam and the right of neighborhood.
And the one with one right is the non-Muslim neighbor—he has the right of neighborhood.”
”This shows that Islam commands kindness to all neighbors, regardless of their religion,” the highly respected Muslim Scholar stressed.
Ustaz Idris-Imam urged:
”O servants of Allah,
Be mindful of your neighbors. Visit them, help them, protect them, and avoid harming them.
Let your homes be sources of peace, not harm. May Allah make us among those who honor the rights of neighbors, who speak good, and who enter Paradise in peace.
Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression, he concluded. (FLOWERBUDNEWS)