As we reach our destination we meet many people.
Jabir has said in Sahih Al Albani, “When two people walking meet, then the one who gives the greeting first is the better of them.”
Again, the best manners are to greet our Muslim brothers and sisters with the Islamic greeting, but we must not ignore non-Muslim individuals. We can greet them with the appropriate greeting like good morning or how do you do and when meeting others a smile is also a charity.
Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said :
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land are charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.”
Jami At Tirmidhi Hasan
It is an established fact that man is a social animal. Even our religion Islam, teaches us to be social and friendly to all. Islam discourages aloofness from society to attain sainthood or to devote all the time in worship. It is highly recommended that a Muslim meets the neighbors, keeps in touch with the fellow human beings, contacts friends and relatives on a regular basis and to reach out to the unfortunate ones.
Surah An Nisa 36 states:
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
One must keep oneself informed of all the neighboring houses. It is considered very bad if one’s neighbor is hungry and we are eating food without sharing it with him. Unlike the misconception we should be kind to all neighbors; Muslims or not.
Islam teaches kindness and sympathy not only to people but even to the animals. Also visiting the sick is a very noble work in the eyes of Almighty Allah.
Ibn ‘Umar (RAA) and ‘Aishah (RAA) reported:
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbors with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim
It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) observed:
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or better keep silence; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbor with kindness and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.
Sahih Muslim 47
Having a good neighbor is important but being a good neighbor is highly rewarding! Note that it is not mentioned whether your neighbor is Muslim or not; if you have a neighbor he is entitled to your kindness. You are not supposed to hurt him by any means because this can cost you Jannah! According to one hadith:
Narrated Abu Shuraih:
The Prophet (SAW) said, “By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was said, “Who is that, O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)?” He said, “That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.”
Sahih Al Bukhari
Everyday Islam: An Easy And Peaceful Way Of Life
Everyday Islam: An Easy And Peaceful Way Of Life takes the reader from the very start of the day and through the possible situations and interactions that may occur by providing the words of Allah (SWT) from the Qur’an and the example of His Messenger (SAW). Shumaysa Amatul Hadi Faruqi utilizes the translations of the Holy Quran and the authentic Hadeeth to emphasize the importance of practicing and implementing the teachings of Islam in our daily lives. To this end, Everyday Islam seeks to provide a source of reference for the busy, modern Muslim man and woman in keeping Islam active in their lives. For more books visit http://www.mindworksbooks.com