I have read the valuable articles on Muslim duty towards neighbours as prescribed in Islam (Radiance Special Issue, 15 November 2025) and wanted to pen a few lines on it.
According to Islam, the purpose of human life is to establish Ibadat, meaning the worship and service to only Allah. Allah announces it in the Qur’an: “I have created the Jin and Man so that they might establish Ibadat to Me’.’ (51:56, 21:21) Ibadat consists of: (i) the duty towards Allah (Haq-ullah) dealing with salat, siyam, Haj and Zakat, and (ii)the duty towards humanity (Haq al-abad) dealing with the service to human beings. One without another is incomplete Ibadat.
Duty towards neighbours, the second part of Ibadat, is so important in Islam that it determines one’s abode either in the Paradise or the Hell. Regarding the duty towards neighbours, the Prophet of Islam ﷺ says: “By Allah! Nobody believes till his neighbours are safe from his harms.” Again, he says: “One whose neighbours are not safe from his harms shall not enter the Paradise.”
Once a man asked the Prophet ﷺ about a woman who was reputed for prayers, fasting and charity but she hurt her neighbours with her tongue. The prophet replied: “She will be in the hell.” Again, the man asked the Prophet ﷺ about another woman who was not much reputed for prayer, fasting and charity but she did not hurt her neighbours with her tongue. The Prophet replied: “She will be in the Paradise.” Thus, there are numerous instructions in Islamic law relating to a Muslim’s sacred duty towards his neighbours.
Duty towards neighbours must aim to establish social justice needed for peace, unity and socio-economic growth in society. It will happen when this duty is discharged, making no difference between man and man based on favouritism, nepotism, racism, rich and poor. Islam rejects the maxim “King can do no wrong’’ and treats all equally as per the Islamic law. The Qur’an stresses on social justice: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice as witness to Allah, albeit against yourselves, your parents or your kin and whether it be against rich or poor.” (4:135)
Muhammad Abdus Samad
Ambari, Dhupdhara, Assam
Rebuilding the Lost Bond between Neighbours
This issue is important because people living in flats today hardly know their neighbours. Everyone is busy with their daily responsibilities, having reduced personal interactions. Earlier neighbours were like family, but now almost all of us remain strangers, even while living next door.
In daily life, this actually creates serious problems, e.g., someone suddenly needs help at home like medical support or even a simple favour, people often hesitate to approach as they’re not familiar with them. This creates a serious problem in the wellbeing of a society.
To improve this situation, we can start by simply greeting each other, or having comfortable get togethers. Sending gifts or even a small caring message can really impact in strengthening the lost bond and having a healthy environment.
Nabeeha Akhtar
New Delhi
Building Micro Support System for Students Communities
How we often forget that the people living near us, even those we share space with for just a few hours, also fall under the domain of ‘neighbours’ yet their rights and needs are often overlooked.
In today’s era of the internet, the rise in campus emergencies and how students face emotional, academic or personal issues silently is evident. Across campuses, these crises persist, not all are visible and not all receive help in time. It becomes even more painful when such struggles go unnoticed by those living just a few steps away.
This is why today we need to build micro-support system – small circles of two or three peers who simply check on one another, notice sudden change or offer help before the situation becomes serious for students living far from home. Even a single caring knock can provide unimaginable comfort.
This should be practical and realistic, such as weekly well-being check-ins, small group support circles, beer alert system or simply a buddy rule.
In times where loneliness is common, rebuilding these tiny support circles is not just helpful; it is essential.
Marhaba Khalid
Abul Fazal, New Delhi