Shia Strength: [MahdiUniteMuslims] The Muslim treats his neighbor in the best way he can

Monday, May 4, 2009

[MahdiUniteMuslims] The Muslim treats his neighbor in the best way he can

--- On Sat, 2/5/09, The Ideal Muslim <forthemuslim@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: The Ideal Muslim <forthemuslim@yahoo.com>
Subject: [the_best_ummah] The Muslim treats his neighbor in the best way he can
Date: Saturday, 2 May, 2009, 9:50 AM

The Ideal Muslim: Characteristics of the Ideal Muslim According to the Qur'an and the Sunnah

The IDEAL MUSLIM
The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Man
as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah

By Dr. Muhammad 'Ali Al-Hashimi

Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur

Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.

The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his Rabb, himself, family, parents, relatives, friends and the community at large, he has a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (pbuh). His idealism is further strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character daily.

Chapter 7: The Muslim and His Neighbors

The Muslim treats his neighbor in the best way he can

The Muslim who understands the teachings of his religion hastens to treat his neighbor in the best way he can. Nothing is too insignificant when it comes to respecting his neighbor, as some ignorant people think they may think something is too small to be worth giving as a gift to a neighbor, so they refrain from giving it, thus depriving themselves and their neighbors of much goodness. This is something the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) pointed out to women in particular, as many of them may feel too shy to offer a small gift to a neighbor:

"O Muslim women, do not think that any gift is too insignificant to give to a neighbor, even if it is only a sheep's foot." (Bukhari and Muslim)

A sheep's foot is a thing of little value, but it is better than nothing, and no woman should feel that any gift is not worth giving to a neighbor. Allah (S.W.T.) says:

"Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! " (Qur'an 99:7)

And the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:

"Save yourself from the Fire even by giving half a date in charity." (Bukhari)

But this hadith, which is general in application, may also be taken to mean that the recipient should not look down on the gift. The meaning then is: No (female) neighbor should scorn the gift given to her by another (female) neighbor, even if it is it is just a sheep's foot. Rather, she should thank her for it, because gratitude engenders friendship among neighbors and encourages mutual support and help. This is in addition to the fact that thanking people for favors is a basic Islamic trait which the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) strongly encouraged:

"The one who does not give thanks to people does not give thanks to Allah (S..W.T.)." [5]

[5] Reported by Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad.