Visiting or calling neighbors not obligation

11-7-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

If I greet my neighbours with the Salaam when I meet them in the street or in the mosque, is that enough? Or is it a must to go to their homes or phone them every now and then?

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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 Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

In terms of obligation, it is not obligatory on you to visit your neighbors in their homes or contact them by telephone or otherwise; in terms of desirability, however, then the good matters that you mentioned, such as greeting them with the Salaam when you meet them, are not enough.

It is advised in the Islamic sharee'ah to be kind (generous) to the neighbor. The Prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It was also reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, “It is the right of a neighbor to extend your kindness (generosity) to him and to spare him of your harm.”

This is a general expression that encompasses all the benefit that one can extend to his neighbor and that can make him happy, especially the Muslim neighbor.

For more benefit, please refer to fataawa 85376 and 291052.

Allaah knows best.