Rights of Neighbors

Apart from a man's parents, children and near relatives, there also
exists a permanent association and contact between him and his
neighbors. The state of his association - be it good or otherwise has
a great influence on his life and morals. The Prophet (PBUH) had
attached great importance to this and has constantly urged the Ummah
topay due regard to the rights of neighborsto the extent that he had
declared good neighborliness to be part of Iman (Faith) and an
essential requisite for salvation.
Three Categories Of Neighbors
In a Hadith, related by Jabir (R.A.), the Prophet (PBUH) is reported
to have said
"Neighbors are ofthree kinds.Firstly, the neighbor who enjoys only one
right (and as far as rights are concerned) he is of the lowest
grade.Secondly, the one who enjoys two rights andthirdlythe neighbor
who enjoys three rights.
The neighbor with only one right is thePolytheist(i.e. a non-Muslim
neighbor with whom there are no family ties). The neighbor with two
rights is the neighbor who is also aMuslim(as such he has a claim as a
neighbor as well as a fellow Muslim) and the one with three rights is
the neighbor who is aMuslim and a Relative- he has a claim as a
neighbor, as a fellow Muslim and as a relative".
This Hadith clearly explains that the obligation to live in peace and
harmony with neighbors, as demanded in the Holy Quran and the
Traditions, also includes the non-Muslim neighbors. They too have a
claim to our kindness and sympathy. We treat the animals with kindness
and we have been warned against ill treating them, then what of our
fellow humans - more so our neighbors. It will be significant to note
that in all Ahadith Traditions mentioned, with regards to the basic
rights of neighbors, no distinction had been made between Muslims and
non-Muslims.
Emphasis On The Rights Of Neighbors
It is reported, on the authority of Ayesha (R.A.) and Ibn Umar (R.A.)
that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said "The Angel Jibra'il (A.S.)
counseled me so frequently regarding the rights of the neighbor that I
feared, he too would be declared an heir."
This Hadith shows that Angel Jibra'il (A.S.) brought commandments from
Allah, concerning the rights of the neighbor so frequently and
stressed the need to be kind and courteous to him with such force and
regularity that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) thought that the neighbor also
will be made an heir i.e. just as parents, children and near relatives
inherit the property left by the deceased, he thought that the
neighbor, too, will be given a share in it.
Note:-The purpose of this Hadith is not merely to state a fact, but
rather it is most effective way of highlighting the importance of the
neighbor to the Muslims.
Importance Of Good Treatment To Neighbors (It is an essential
condition of Iman (faith))
It is narrated byAbu Shurayh (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.)said
"Whoever believes in Allah and the final day (Day of Judgment) it is
essential that hedoes not harm his neighborsand whoever believes in
Allah and the final Day it is essential for him toentertain his guest
with kindnessand generosity and whoever believes in Allah and the
Final Day it is essential that he speak what is good or otherwise
remain silent."
Amongst other points this Hadith explains that it is essential for the
true believer to be mindful of his neighbors at all times so that he
does not harm him in any way. It also gives us an idea of the value
placed on the rights of neighbors by the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
In another Hadith related byAbu Hurairah (R.A.) the Prophet (PBUH)said,
"By Allah, he is not a true believer, By Allah, he is not a true
believer, By Allah, he is not a true believer (three times). He was
asked 'Who?" Upon which he replied, "The one whose neighbors do not
feel secure from his mischief and evil.
The construction and manner of the Hadith shows how agitated the
Prophet (PBUH) must have been when he said this. The essence contained
in this Hadith is that the Muslim whose character is such that his
neighbors expect nothing but evil from him and they live in fear of
being hurt or harmed by him,cannot be regarded as a true and faithful
believer- he doesn't deserve the title of Muslim or Mu'min. On another
occasion the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said that such a
person (whose neighbors do not feel safe on his account)shall not go
to Heaven.
Note:-In the language of Prophet hood, when special emphasis is laid
on a deed, the customary way of putting it is to say that whoever
neglects it etc. is not a true believer, and he shall not go to
Heaven. It should be understood that this does not imply that he has
actually been thrown out of the fold of Islam and now the laws of
Infidelity (Kufr) will apply to him, and that in the hereafter he will
be treated as an infidel, but rather this is an emphatic way of
explaining that such a person does not possess the true spirit of Iman
which is the glory of a Muslim and is pleasing to Allah. The
particular phrasing is used to lend greater force to the matter.
In yet another Hadith, related byAnas (R.A.), the Prophet (PBUH)said
"He has not affirmed faith in me (i.e. he is not a true follower) who
eats to his satisfaction and sleeps comfortably at night while his
neighbor goes hungry - and he is aware of it."
How astonishing that such a wide gap has occurred between these
teachings and traditions and the actual conduct of the Muslims as a
whole! It is extremely difficult for an unknowing person to believe
that such, really, were the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam
(PBUH).
Nevertheless, these traditions and teachings explain clearly
theimportance of good and kind treatment to neighborsand they are a
clear admonition to those who remain indifferent to the needs and
difficulties of their neighbors and care nothing for them.

Prohibition of a Muslim Woman Marrying a Non-Muslim

It is haram for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, regardless
of whether he is of the People of the Bookor not. Allah Almighty says
in Quran,
"...And do not marry (your girls) to idolaters until they believe...."
( Surah 2: Verse 221)
And He said concerning the immigrant Muslim women,
"...Then if you know them to be Believers, do not send them back to
the unbelievers. They are not halal for them (as wives), nor are they
halal for them (as husbands)." ( Surah 60: Verse 10)
No text exists which makes exceptions for the People of the Book,
hence, on the basis of the above verses, there is a consensus among
Muslims concerning this prohibition. Thus, while a Muslim man is
permitted to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, aMuslim woman is not
allowedto marry a Christian or Jewish man.
There are many sound reasons for this difference. First, the man is
thehead of the household, the one who maintains the family, and he is
responsible for his wife. And while Islam guaranteesfreedom of belief
and practiceto the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim, safeguarding
her rights according to her own faith, other religions, such as
Judaism and Christianity, do not guarantee the wife of a different
faith freedom of belief and practice, nor do they safeguard her
rights.
Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of
its daughters by giving them into the hands of people who neither
honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights? A
marriage between a man and woman of different faiths can be based only
on thehusband's respect for his wife's beliefs; otherwise a good
relationship cannever develop.
Now, the Muslim believes that both Judaism and Christianity originated
in divine revelation, although later distortions were introduced into
them. He also believes that God revealed theTaurat to Mosesand
theInjeel to Jesus, (Taurat refers to the original scripture revealed
to the Prophet Moses by God, and Injeel to the Prophet Isa (Jesus).
These are not to be confused with either the existing Torah or Old
Testament, or the four Gospels of the New Testament.
Accordingly, the Christian or Jewish wife of a Muslim lives under
theprotectionof a man who respects the basic tenets of her faith, her
scripture, and her prophets, while in contrast to this the Jew or
Christian recognizes neither the divine origin of Islam, its Book, or
its Prophet (peace be on him). How then could a Muslim woman live with
such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of
certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain
prohibitions.
It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for
her beliefs as well as topractice her religionproperly if she were
opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step. It
will be realized from this thatIslam is consistentwith itself in
prohibiting the Muslim man to marry a mushrik woman, for since Islam
is absolutely opposed to shirk, it would obviously be impossible for
two such people to live together inharmony and love.

Prayers

Thefive daily mandatory prayersare the pillars of Islam. Referred to
assolaah, the Muslim form of prayer comprises of a series of postures
in which Qur'anic verses are recited and Allah SWT is praised and
supplicated.
Theprimary purposeof prayer is to instill Allah-consciousness in an
individual. It is our duty as a creation of Allah SWT to worship Him
at any time or under any circumstances. It will make a Muslim more
disciplined and help him avoid committing deeds that are forbidden by
Allah SWT.
Prior to performing prayer, the Muslimpurifieshimself/herself. He/she
must be clean and pure from any najaasah orimpuritiesbefore performing
the prayer. The purification process, viaablution or a complete bath,
is with water. In the absence of water, one can perform the tayammum
with sand or other alternative substances.
The five obligatory prayers that Muslims perform every day areFajr,
Zuhr ,Asr, Maghreeb and Ishaa'. In countries where there are large
Muslim communities, the call to prayer (azaan) is announced loudly to
indicate the time of each prayer. That is followed by the iqaamah
which denotes that the prayer is about to begin. The command
concerning prayer is contained in the following Qur'anic verse:
"Verily! I am Allah (SWT)! Laa-ilaaha-illa Ana (none has the right to
be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Solaah
(iqaamat-us-solaah) for My Remembrance. [Taaha: 14]
While in prayer, astate of full concentration or khushookshould be
attained to ensure that the person's heart is attuned to make his/her
act a true remembrance of Allah SWT and is turned to Him for
forgiveness. When khushook is attained, the worshipper feels a kind of
calmness and strength to obey Allah SWT and to avoid what He forbids.
There are severalblessingsthat Muslims should notice while performing
their prayers. Prayer makes us fully aware that we are servants of
Allah SWT and thus we should adore and obey Him by performing what has
been prescribed to us. That is why the prayer has been described as
'remembrance' in the Qur'an - its true meaning and purpose lie in
remembering Allah SWT.
Regular establishment of prayer makes one constantly aware that we
live in His presence and His love, and at the same time fear His power
so as to avoid whatever that may displease Him.This is emphasized in
the following Qur'anic verse:
"Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee; and establish
regular Prayer, for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds;
and remembrance of Allah (SWT) is the greatest (thing in life) without
doubt. And Allah (SWT) knows the (deeds) that ye do." [Al-Ankaboot:
45]
On theimportance of prayer, Prophet Muhammad SAW said:
"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the
Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his
deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will
be bad." [Bukhari]
Apart from the daily five, there are also several recommended
prayersthat Muslims can perform in order to please Allah SWT and to
gain rewards in the Hereafter.
The other Arabic word that can be translated as prayer in English
isdu'aa, which means supplication or asking assistance from Allah SWT
to fulfill a specific need of this life or in the Hereafter. In Islam,
worship means to revere, serve and obey Allah SWT in one's life wholly
and completely. The word du'aa indicates a direct relationship between
the worshipper and his Creator.
Affirming this, the Prophet SAW said:
"Du'aa is worship." [Abu Dawood]

Fathwa, - False claim about early marriage of..

Question
Assalaamu alykum wa rahmataullahi wa barakatuh. a person has told me
that they believe islamicaly a father should marry his daughter to a
practicing muslim brother before her third menses. if she is not
married after that then it is a sin on the father. i wanted to know
whether this is correct or an innovation. if this is correct what is
the daleel? jazakal'Allah khair
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
Muhammadis His slave and Messenger.
We did not exactly understand what you meant by marrying off one's
daughter before she gets the third menses. Perhaps what is meant is
the third menses since she reaches puberty and first starts to
menstruate. In any case, there is no evidence for this statement and
it is not true.
However, a guardian should take the initiative to marry off the girl
who is under his guardianship and the earlier the better as this
protects her and keeps her chaste.For more benefit, please refer to
Fataawa 116746and 13907.
It should be noted that it is permissible for the guardian to offer
his daughter in marriage to righteous men as'Umar ibn Al-Khattaabdid
regarding his daughterHafsah.
Allaah Knows best.