Neighbourhood Watch
A Muslim who adopts the teachings of Islam when dealing with his neighbours is best amongst people. He would be most respectful, kind and considerate towards his neighbours. Unfortunately a lot of people have disregarded the rights of their neighbours. People constantly fight with their neighbours on trivial things. Some even go out of their way to cause havoc in their neighbourhood.
It is mentioned in AHadith that our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) has said; ‘He will not enter Jannah (Paradise) whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.’ "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent.’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) has also narrated that, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said; “Do you know what the rights of your neighbours are?” then He (S.A.W) said, “When they ask for help assist them, when they ask for money give them, when they are in need give them, when they are ill visit them, when they are in a good position congratulate them, when in difficulty share their grief, when they die go to the funeral, do not erect your buildings without permission so that the wind doesn’t reach them, do not make them suffer from the fragrance of your cooking but give them some too, when you purchase fruit give them as a gift and if you don’t want to, then secretly bring it into your house and that your children do not take it out in front of their children.”
"Neighbourhood Watch" schemes are being set up in many communities to allow the people living in those areas to help fight crime, reduce anti-social behaviours, and generally making it a safer environment. In Islam the rights of neighbours have been clearly set out, as it provides a complete code of life. It teaches us how to live in a perfect harmonious society, and if implemented correctly we would not need such schemes as a form of protection.
If we want to succeed in this life and hereafter, we need to exercise the rights of our neighbours in accordance to the teachings of our religion. We need to interact with them in a way they feel safe and secure. Be respectful, kind and honourable to them help and support them if needed. Even if your neighbours are non-Muslims they too have rights, that need to be fulfilled. However while interacting with non-Muslims, be cautious of becoming too lenient at the expense of your belief and principles. Present Islam in the best possible way. In this way we would live in a better environment without fear and anti-social issues.