India is a land where people of many languages, religions, and cultures live together. Yet in recent years, an unfortunate trend has emerged: the closeness, empathy, and warmth that once defined our streets and neighbourhoods are slowly fading away. A recent study also found that a large section of the urban population is struggling with loneliness. This situation not only increases mental stress but also plants seeds of social breakdown, mistrust, and hatred.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, many new aspects of social life came to the surface. In most Indian cities, people admitted to feelings of loneliness and a lack of close friendships. According to an international survey, about 43% of urban Indians said they felt lonely. On the other hand, a recent MyGate Trust Circle report showed that around 75-81% of citizens now consider their neighbours part of their “trust circle.” This contrast, rising loneliness on one side and growing trust in neighbours on the other, forces us to think about how essential good neighbourly relations are for social harmony and peace.
Neighbours in the Teachings of Islam
Islam taught this lesson more than 1400 years ago: caring for the rights of neighbours is an essential part of faith. The Qur’an commands:“Do good to the neighbour who is near of kin, and to the neighbour who is a stranger, and to the companion by your side, and to the traveller.” (Al-Nisa: 36)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “By Allah, he is not a believer whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.” This is a clear directive: without good treatment of one’s neighbour, faith is incomplete. Helping and being kind to neighbours is not just a social virtue but also a religious duty.
In the current environment, where communal hatred and social distances are increasing, all citizens, and Muslims in particular, carry a greater responsibility to make their lives a practical example of neighbourly care. This is not only a demand of religious teachings but also a way to strengthen India’s multicultural identity. When Muslims nurture strong relations with their neighbours, the true spirit of Islam will be reflected, and bridges of trust will be built across communities.
Miscommunication and Division Between Communities
Another challenge in India is the growing gap and miscommunication between different communities. Negative media narratives and political polarisation have widened these divides. In such times, the neighbourly relationship becomes the first natural bridge that can close this gap. If Muslims and all citizens build cooperative and caring ties with their neighbours, it will not only weaken the atmosphere of hate but also strengthen the foundation of national unity.
Digitalisation, Individualism and the Crisis of Loneliness
Today’s era is marked by digitalisation and post-modernism, where personal identity often takes priority over community. Social media has connected us virtually, but in reality people are lonelier than ever. Hours are spent online, yet real-life bonds weaken. This rise of individualism does not just weaken family ties; it also erodes neighbourhood relations. At such a time, Islam’s vision of neighbourliness is deeply relevant. Goodwill, kindness, and cooperation with neighbours is the best remedy for this emptiness.
The Prophet’s Example and Practical Steps
The life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is full of examples of neighbourly care. He treated even his Jewish and Christian neighbours with respect, visited them in illness, shared their joys and sorrows, and protected their rights. We too should follow this Sunnah and strengthen our relations with our neighbours. Some practical steps include:
- Greeting and checking in regularly: A simple hello or inquiry about well-being reduces distance.
- Community events: Organise cultural programmes, Eid gatherings, or social events at the neighbourhood level and invite neighbours to join.
- Positive use of digital platforms: Create WhatsApp or social media groups to jointly address local issues like cleanliness, traffic rules, and security.
- Mutual help: Offering support in times of illness, difficulty, or accidents not only wins hearts but also builds lasting trust.
- Environmental responsibility: Keeping streets clean, planting trees, and following traffic rules are signs of collective care.
These are practical steps that align with Islamic teachings and also meet the needs of modern urban life.
At a time when the world is trapped in the web of individualism, Indian society urgently needs to rebuild the rights and relationships of neighbourliness. For Indian Muslims, this is both a religious obligation and, as responsible citizens, a national service. If we revive the teachings of neighbourly care in our streets, neighbourhoods, and cities, we will not only build a better Muslim community but also a stronger, more cohesive Indian society. This is the greatest need of our time, and the truest form of success.