Nine Tips to Approach Your Non-Muslim Neighbor

The neighbor holds a special status in Islam.

Islam encourages Muslims to treat their neighbors in a gentle way that reflects the true and genuine spirit of Islam as exemplified in its tolerant aspect.

‘Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, stated that she once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): O Messenger of Allah! I have two neighbors. To whom shall I send my gifts?

He said: To the one whose gate is nearer to you. (Al-Bukhari, 6220)

It is clear from the above hadith that Muslims are encouraged to not only treat our neighbors kindly, but also to exchange gifts with them. The wording of the hadith does not indicate whether the one with whom we exchange gifts is a Muslim or not.

It was reported that the Prophet had a neighbor who used to harm him and insult him at every encounter. Some days elapsed without the Prophet getting his share of this man’s abuse. Thinking that there must be some reason behind the man’s absence, he paid him a visit and found him sick.

The man wondered how the Prophet could meet his bad treatment with such great behavior. To him, such noble character as taught by Islam was completely new.

If your neighbors are relatives and Muslims, then they have three rights on you: the right of the neighbor, the right of kin, and the right of the co-religionist.

If they are non-Muslim and relatives, then two rights are due to them: that of neighbor and kin. And if they are non-Muslims outside of the family, you owe them the right of the neighbor only.

Below are some tips on how to approach your non-Muslim neighbors in a kind way that exemplifies Islamic manners:

1-Be Good to Your Neighbor

Being good to neighbors is not only restricted to those who share the same building with you.

Your roommate at the dorm is your neighbor; the person sitting behind you or next to you in a bus or at a bus stop is your neighbor; the one sharing your office at work is your neighbor; the person enjoying fresh air next to you in a public garden is also a neighbor. You ought to treat all of those people kindly.

2- Keep Good Relations with Them

Introduce yourself and your family to your neighbors when you move into a new place or when new neighbors move in.

This will also help to relieve any fears or tensions they may have about Muslims. Also, don’t forget to say good-bye when you or they move away.

3- Care for Them

Care for them continually, especially at times of need and distress, as “the neighbor in need is a neighbor indeed.”

If a neighbor is elderly or chronically ill, offer to run errands or shop for him or her.

4- Socialize

In dealing with neighbors, it is safer to deal with those of the same sex as yourself. This does not mean that you should stop socializing at work or school with your non-Muslim workmates or classmates of the opposite sex, but be aware of Satanic snares. 

5- Be Lenient