only desire for our neighbour that which we do not like for ourselves. Who likes to leave rubbish lying around in their own house? As the bin or wasteyard is far away, we decide to leave it on our neighbour’s doorstep. Others wash the front of their homes with water. Of course, the dirty water that gathers cannot be kept in front of their home, so they decide to throw it carelessly onto the road. This creates mud on the streets, which causes difficulty for those walking by. Similarly, there are many other things which people do not desire for themselves but are happy for their neighbours to encounter them. If only we understood the rights of our neighbours!

Do not sit with us!

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once said, “He who has troubled his neighbour will not sit with us today”. A person said, “I urinated beneath the wall of my neighbour’s house.” The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, “Do not sit with us today.”^[1]

الـلّٰـه! الـلّٰـه! Those who trouble their neighbours and have no remorse should think carefully. On the Day of Judgement, when nobody shall ask how we are, when parents will abandon their children, when brothers will turn away from each other, when friends and family will hold you by the neck pleading for good deeds; at that time, there shall only be one hope for us sinners. This is none other than our beloved master, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم who will intercede for us and have our sins forgiven. He is our only hope on that Day. Otherwise, what will happen to us?

O you who trouble your neighbours! Allah forbid, if the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم turns his beautiful face away from us on the Day of Judgement, what will we do?