When we hear the word neighbours, most of us instantly think of the persons living next door, the ones we greet in passing, share festive sweets with, or see watering their garden across the fence. But the concept of a neighbour extends far beyond the walls that surround our homes.
In Islamic tradition, a neighbour is said to include forty houses in every direction: front, back, left, and right. This timeless teaching beautifully broadens our understanding of community. It reminds us that our responsibility towards others is not confined to a few familiar faces but stretches to everyone who shares our surroundings whether in our neighbourhood, workplace, classroom, or even on the road.
Home is where neighbourliness begins. A caring community is built not by architecture, but by empathy. Checking in on an elderly neighbour, offering a meal during difficult times, or sharing small moments of kindness helps weave a bond of belonging that strengthens society. Yet, in today’s fast-paced life, many of us have forgotten this essence. The warmth that once filled our neighbourhoods now often hides behind closed doors. Rebuilding it begins with a simple step – reaching out.
Beyond our homes, we find neighbours in classrooms and offices, the ones sitting next to us during lectures or working beside us on shared goals. Respecting their space, valuing their opinions, and offering help when needed are ways of fulfilling their rights too. A small gesture like helping a colleague meet a deadline or simply greeting a classmate with warmth can transform an ordinary environment into a harmonious one.
Perhaps the most overlooked neighbours are those on the road. The car waiting next to us at a signal, the biker riding alongside, or the pedestrian crossing the street are all our transient neighbours. For those brief moments, our actions directly affect their safety and peace.
Just as every human being has rights, these neighbours in traffic have rights too, the right to safety, respect, and patience. Unfortunately, the rising number of accidents today reflects how often these rights are ignored. Rash driving, honking aggressively, or breaking signals are not just traffic violations; they are acts of neglect toward those sharing the same space.
We often forget that just as our families wait for us back home, every other driver or pedestrian has loved ones waiting for them too. A single act of carelessness can destroy many lives, while a single act of patience can protect them. The responsibility to safeguard oneself and others is shared by everyone on the road.
The truth is neighbours exist everywhere. At the bus stop, in a park, in a crowded classroom, or even online. Anyone who shares a moment of space or interaction with us becomes, in that instant, our neighbour.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said that Angel Gabriel advised him so much about the rights of neighbours that he thought they might even be made heirs in inheritance. Such profound emphasis reveals that neighbourliness is not merely about proximity, but about compassion, care, and coexistence.
Imagine a world where everyone saw the person beside them as a neighbour and not a stranger. Roads would be calmer, workplaces friendlier, and homes warmer. Every small act of kindness would ripple through society, making our shared spaces safer and more humane.
So, the next time you step out,whether greeting the person living next door, studying beside a friend, working alongside a colleague, or driving on a busy road, pause for a moment and remember: your neighbour’s rights are just as important as yours.Treat them with kindness. Respect them. Protect their safety.Because the world doesn’t just need more people, it needs better neighbours.