Ramadan is an opportune time for us Muslims to imbibe and demonstrate good-neighbourliness and sociability, which are integral parts of Islamic Ethics and essential values of the faith. The Holy Qur’an clearly states: “And treat the parents with moral excellence and (do good to) relatives, orphans, the needy, the close as well as unacquainted neighbours, and your fellows and the wayfarers and those whom you possess. Surely, Allah does not like the one who is arrogant (i.e., self-conceited) and boastful (i.e., egoist)” (4: 36)(The Glorious Qur’an translated by Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri)Since the Qur’an was revealed in the holy month of Ramadan, it is an opportune time to recall and revive the spirit of good-neighbourliness. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the universal values and virtues enshrined in our beautiful faith.At a time when different religious communities are living in an atmosphere of hatred, disdain and tensions, we need to stress the core Islamic values of good-neighbourliness, generosity and kindness to others, especially during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan. Caring for, and sharing with the neighbours is an integral part of fasting in Islam.Let us also not forget that our fasting would be of no avail if we do not mantain a friendly conduct and magnanimous behaviour with the people around. The holy Prophet (pbuh) told us: “If a person does not avoid false talk and improper conduct during the fast, Allah does not care if he abstains from his food and drink.” (Narrated by Bukhari). In fact, the holy Prophet (PBUH) linked good-neighbourliness to perfect belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment. He is reported to have said in a famous hadith: “Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day let him be kind to his neighbour. Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day, let him be hospitable to his guest. Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day, let him say something good or be silent.”The Prophet’s beloved wife, Hazrat Ayisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha), narrates that the holy Prophet (PBUH) said:“Gabriel has continued to strongly recommend me to be kind to my neighbour until I thought that he would make him among my heirs.” The Prophet not only exhorted love for neighbours but also epitomised and practically taught wonderful manners to deal with them. He said that “if you were cooking and your neighbour smells the food then send him a part (a dish)”.The Prophet would become more generous to his neighbours during Ramadan. The exhortation of kindness, love and hospitality in the above hadith traditions is not restricted to Muslims. It covers both Muslims and non-Muslims, be they kind or unkind, friends or foes, relatives or strangers.Abdullah ibn Mubarak, a revered Taba’ee (companion of the Prophet’s Companions), had a non-Muslim neighbour who was very close and endeared to him. He would always feed him before feeding his own family and relatives. He would provide clothing for his neighbour first and then for his children. Once some people asked his neighbour to sell his house. He answered, “My house is for two thousand dinars. One thousand is for the price of the house and one thousand for having Abdullah ibn Mubarak as my neighbour.”Once, Hazrat Hasan al-Basri, an early Islamic saint, was asked the definition of a neighbour in Islam. He said, “The term ‘neighbour’ includes the forty houses in front of a person, the forty houses behind him, the forty houses on his right and the forty houses on his left.”Going by the Islamic traditions like this, it can be concluded that the Muslim tradition of exchanging dates, fruits and special foods during Ramadan should be extended to the immediate neighbours, both Muslims and non-Muslims. It will surely enhance the spirit of good-neighbourliness and thus spread the pluralistic messages of Ramadan to adherents of all faith traditions.Furthermore, on the blessed occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, we would have an opportunity to invite our neighbours, especially those of other faith traditions, to our homes and serve them sweets and foods with generosity of spirit with an aim to create a better understanding of our festival and thus create an amicable environment in multi-religious societies.
© Minhaj Learning & Research Center
