A man asked Sayyidunā ʿAbdullah b. Masūd رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, “I have a neighbour who causes me harm and speaks ill of me.” Sayyidunā ʿAbdullah b. Masūd رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, “Go back! If your neighbour disobeyed Allah in relation to you, then you should obey Allah in relation to your neighbour!”^[1]

For how long should we tolerate the trouble of our neighbour?

Dear Islamic brothers! The question may arise: if my neighbour is inconsiderate and continues to trouble me, for how long should I remain patient? Sometimes patience is not an option with such people. Firstly, it is not common to have a neighbour who is extremely inconsiderate. Being good to others means: if they sever ties with you, you mend them; if they oppress you, you forgive them; if they take from you, you give to them. Who behaves like this nowadays? People strive to sever relations. If someone is oppressed, regardless of whether he takes revenge or not, he will not interact with the other ever again. If we carry out our affairs correctly with dignity, it is impossible for someone to continuously oppress us.

However, if your neighbour is extremely unkind and unaffected by your good mannerisms, continue to adopt patience. Imam Abū Layth Samarqandi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه reports:

A man once presented himself to the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and complained about his neighbour. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Do not trouble your neighbour, and be patient if he troubles you. Death is enough to cause a distinction between you.”^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد