ALFATH: Neighbor's Rights

In Housing, Street, and Transportation

Introduction

Social life is based on a set of interconnected relationships that form the fabric of society. Perhaps the most prominent and influential of these relationships in an individual's daily life is the neighborly relationship. The neighbor is the person who shares your spatial space, shares with you the concerns and joys of life, and their presence beside you is a fundamental factor in determining the quality of your daily life. Divine laws, positive legislations, and social customs have given special attention to the rights of neighbors, because the cohesion of society begins with the cohesion and interconnectedness of neighbors.

In this comprehensive topic, we will discuss the rights of the neighbor in three main areas: housing, the street, and transportation, shedding light on the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of these rights, and how these rights, if applied correctly, can transform residential neighborhoods into cohesive communities enjoying security and stability.

Part One: Neighbor's Rights in Housing

The Comprehensive Concept of the Neighbor in Housing

The neighbor in housing is not just a person who lives next to you, but a partner in place and time, whom you cross paths with daily in entrances, elevators, and streets. Islamic jurists have defined the sphere of neighborhood in multiple ways; some defined it as forty houses from each side, and some made it the boundaries of the small residential district. But the important thing is that the relationship with the neighbor extends to include everyone who shares your residential space, whether in the same building, on the street, or in the neighborhood.

The Right to Privacy and Sanctity of the Home

One of the most important rights of the neighbor in housing is respect for their privacy and the sanctity of their home. The home is the safe haven for a person, the place where they feel safe and comfortable away from the eyes of intruders. Therefore, the neighbor must:

• Avoid looking into the neighbor's home: Curious glances that creep through windows or balconies are a clear violation of privacy and can lead to tension and suspicion.
• Ask permission before entering: It is not permissible to enter a neighbor's home without permission, even for simple matters; asking permission expresses respect for private property and consideration for the other.
• Lower the voice: One aspect of respecting a neighbor's privacy is not disturbing them with loud noises, whether from musical instruments, television, or even family conversations, especially during rest times like at night.

The Right to Peace and Quiet

Every person has the right to enjoy peace and quiet within their home, and this imposes certain duties on the neighbor:

• Observing rest times: Avoid noisy household chores like using a vacuum cleaner or power tools late at night or during nap times.
• Organizing home parties: If a neighbor wants to hold a family party, it is good manners to inform the neighbors in advance and ensure it does not exceed a reasonable time, especially on school and work days.
• Controlling pets: Those who keep pets must ensure they do not disturb the neighbors, whether through constant barking or unpleasant odors.

The Right to Dispose of Property Without Harm

Every person has the right to dispose of their own property, but this right is restricted by not harming the neighbors:

• Construction and renovations: When carrying out construction or renovation work, care must be taken not to encroach on neighbors' property, not to cause damage to the structure of adjacent buildings, and to remove waste promptly.
• Water drainage: Ensure that rainwater or sewage does not leak into the neighbor's house or cause them harm.
• Trees and plants: If a neighbor has trees whose branches extend into the neighbor's house, it is their right to ask for them to be pruned if they cause harm, and it is neighborly ethics for the neighbor to take the initiative to prune them without waiting to be asked.

The Right to Help and Emotional Support

The relationship with a neighbor is not limited to avoiding harm, but extends to offering help and assistance:

• Checking in during absence: It is the neighbor's right to be checked on by their neighbor when their family is away, and to feel that someone is looking after their property.
• Help in crises: In the event of an emergency such as illness, death, or accident, the neighbor is the first to offer a helping hand.
• Sharing in joys and sorrows: Emotional sharing with the neighbor in their happy and sad occasions deepens the bonds of love and creates a solidary community.

The Right to Kind Treatment

The relationship with a neighbor is based on mutual respect and good treatment:

• Moderate social exchange: Exchanging greetings and visits on occasions, and sharing dishes between neighbors, all enhance good relations.
• Dealing with children: Respecting neighbors' children and treating them kindly, while being careful not to interfere in their upbringing except in ways that please God and serve the interest.
• Forgiveness and tolerance: Life is not free from some minor disputes, and in these cases forgiveness and tolerance are the basis for the continuation of the relationship.

Part Two: Neighbor's Rights on the Street

The Concept of the Neighbor on the Street

The street is the shared space where people meet, and the neighbor on the street is everyone you encounter in this public space. Islam expanded the concept of neighborliness to include those who sit in your gathering or walk with you on the street; all of these have rights that must be respected.

The Right to Passage and Not Obstructing

One of the most important rights of the neighbor on the street is to be able to pass easily and smoothly:

• Not blocking the road: Homeowners and shopkeepers must not place obstacles on the public road that impede the passage of pedestrians or cars.
• Not appropriating public spaces: No one has the right to allocate a part of the public road for parking their car or displaying their goods; the road belongs to everyone.
• Observing right of way: When exiting homes or narrow alleys, one must ensure the road is clear and give priority to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.

The Right to Safety and Security

The street must be safe for everyone, and this requires cooperation among neighbors:

• Removing harm from the road: One of the most important rights of the neighbor on the street is to remove anything that might cause harm, whether a stone, broken glass, or any other obstacle. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made removing harm from the road a branch of faith.
• Night lighting: Contributing to lighting streets and public passages at night to ensure the safety of passersby.
• Monitoring strangers: Paying attention to who enters the neighborhood and monitoring suspicious strangers to ensure the security of all neighbors.

The Right to Cleanliness and Beauty

A clean street reflects the awareness of the residents and their care for their environment:

• Maintaining street cleanliness: Not throwing waste on the public road, and designating specific places for garbage.
• Cleaning facades: Taking care of the cleanliness of house and building facades, as they are part of the general view of the neighborhood.
• Planting trees and greening: Participating in planting trees and caring for green spaces on roads and in neighborhoods.

The Right to Respect in Daily Interactions

The street is a space for brief daily encounters, and these encounters require special treatment:

• Spreading greetings of peace: Offering greetings of peace (salam) to neighbors on the street, whether you know them or not; greetings are the gateway to communication and affection.
• Lowering the gaze: Respecting the privacy of others on the street by not staring at them or into their homes.
• Smiling at others: A smile in the face of a neighbor on the street is charity, a simple yet profound expression of warmth and appreciation.

The Right to Help for Passersby and Those in Need

The street is a place where you meet neighbors and non-neighbors, and all of them have the right to find someone to help them:

• Guiding the lost: If you see a neighbor or a stranger lost on the street, it is their right that you guide them to the correct path.
• Helping the elderly and people with special needs: Helping them cross the street or carry their belongings is an expression of social solidarity.
• Aiding the distressed: If you see someone in distress or needing urgent help on the street, it is your duty to offer assistance.

Part Three: Neighbor's Rights in Transportation

The Concept of Sharing in Transportation

With increasing population density and limited space, transportation has become an integral part of neighborhood life. Neighbors may share riding an elevator, using parking spaces, or public transport, and all of this comes with rights and etiquette that must be observed.

Neighbor's Rights in the Elevator

The elevator is one of the places where the need for neighbors to coexist harmoniously is most evident:

• Priority of entry and exit: Elevator etiquette dictates that riders wait until those who want to get out have done so before entering, and that they make way for the elderly, women, and children.
• Waiting when necessary: If you see your neighbor hurrying towards the elevator, it is nice to wait a little if it does not inconvenience others.
• Avoiding overcrowding: Do not overload the elevator beyond its capacity to ensure everyone's safety.
• Greetings and smiles: Exchange greetings with neighbors in the elevator, even if the conversation is brief.
• Mindful of odors: Avoid using strong perfumes or foods with strong odors in the elevator.

Neighbor's Rights in Parking Spaces

Parking spaces are among the areas where disputes between neighbors most frequently occur, so the following should be observed:

• Do not encroach on others' parking: Respect the private ownership of parking spaces, and do not park in a spot that is not rightfully yours.
• Do not inconvenience neighbors: When parking your car, ensure you do not make it difficult for your neighbor to enter or exit.
• Leave enough space: Leave an adequate distance between your car and the neighbor's car to allow them to open their car doors easily.
• Avoid making noise: Refrain from making loud engine noises or playing music loudly when entering or leaving the garage, especially late at night.
• Report malfunctions: If you notice something wrong with your neighbor's car, such as lights left on or an open window, it is your neighbor's right that you inform them.

Neighbor's Rights in Public Transportation

When using public transportation such as buses or trains, every passenger becomes a neighbor to the other:

• Avoid disturbance: Do not speak loudly on the phone, do not play music without headphones, and avoid eating foods with strong odors.
• Make room: Give priority to the elderly, people with special needs, and pregnant women to sit.
• Cleanliness: Keep public transport clean and do not leave any litter.
• Mutual respect: Respect the personal space of others and avoid crowding.

Neighbor's Rights in Daily Commuting

As neighbors share times for leaving for work or returning home, additional rights emerge:

• Coordinating departure times: If several neighbors leave at the same time, it is good to coordinate among themselves to avoid congestion.
• Carpooling: Neighbors can coordinate to share one car for going to work or taking children to school, saving effort, time, and costs.
• Respecting road privacy: Do not follow the neighbor with your car in a way that might make them feel watched or pursued.
• Road safety: Adhere to traffic rules within the neighborhood to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians among the neighbors.

The Right to Help with Car Breakdowns

One of the noblest forms of neighborliness in transportation is offering help when needed:

• Help in case of breakdowns: If you see your neighbor standing on the road due to a car breakdown, it is their right that you ask if they need assistance.
• Lending tools: Sharing simple tools like jumper cables or a tire pressure gauge.
• Giving rides to neighbors: In emergencies or urgent situations, offering to give your neighbor a ride to their destination.

Part Four: Religious and Legal Foundations of Neighborly Rights

Neighbor's Rights in Islam

Neighbor's rights in Islam have a great status; the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Gabriel continued to advise me concerning the neighbor until I thought that he would inherit from him." Among the most prominent rights of the neighbor in Islam are:

• Kindness to the neighbor: Allah Almighty said: "Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side..." (Qur'an 4:36).
• Honoring the neighbor: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor."
• Refraining from harming the neighbor: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe." It was said: "Who, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "He whose neighbor is not safe from his harm."
• Checking on the neighbor's condition: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to advise his companions to check on the circumstances of their neighbors and reassure them.

Neighbor's Rights in Positive Law

Alongside ethics and religion, positive legislations have also paid attention to neighborly rights:

• Property and real estate laws: These laws define the rights and duties of neighbors concerning construction, modifications, and renovations, and prohibit any encroachment on others' property.
• Noise and nuisance laws: These laws criminalize the emission of disturbing noises late at night and set standards for tranquility in residential areas.
• Cleanliness laws: These laws oblige residents to maintain the cleanliness of common areas and roads.
• Traffic laws: These laws regulate the use of roads and parking spaces and criminalize infringing on the rights of others in traffic.

Part Five: Modern Challenges in Neighborly Relations

Social Changes and Their Impact on Neighborliness

Neighborly relations in modern times have undergone significant changes as a result of:

• Fast-paced lifestyle: People's preoccupation with their work and daily lives has reduced opportunities for social interaction between neighbors.
• Social media: Much social interaction has shifted to the virtual world at the expense of real-life relationships.
• Social distancing: People have become more inclined to isolate themselves inside their homes, weakening social bonds.
• Cultural diversity: In large cities, neighbors may come from different cultures and backgrounds, requiring a greater understanding of cultural differences.

Proposed Solutions to Strengthen Neighborly Rights

To face these challenges, the following solutions can be suggested:

• Organizing periodic meetings: Residents of a neighborhood can organize periodic meetings to get to know each other and exchange conversations.
• Creating communication groups: Creating groups on instant messaging applications for neighbors to coordinate on common matters.
• Volunteer initiatives: Organizing volunteer campaigns to clean the neighborhood, plant trees, or care for the elderly.
• Activating the role of civil society institutions: Local institutions can organize awareness programs about the importance of neighborliness and its rights.

Conclusion

At the conclusion of this comprehensive topic, we affirm that the rights of the neighbor in housing, the street, and transportation are not merely rigid laws or secondary social etiquettes, but rather solid foundations for building a cohesive community capable of facing challenges. A good neighbor is not only the one who refrains from harming their neighbors, but the one who takes the initiative to do good and kindness, and feels responsible towards those who share their spatial space.

Reviving the culture of neighborliness and its rights is an urgent necessity in our current era, where preoccupations have increased and pressures have multiplied. Investing in neighborly relations is an investment in peace of mind, social security, and quality of life. With a good neighbor, life becomes pleasant, neighborhoods flourish, and a home becomes a true dwelling, not just cold walls.

Let us all work to be good neighbors, fulfilling the rights of our neighbors as we would like them to fulfill our rights. As the poet said:

No ancient merit makes neighborliness good,
Nor is good companionship always understood.
When fate descends upon a neighbor in need,
And in hardships, no companion takes heed.

We ask Allah to grant us all success in being good neighbors, to make us keys to good and locks to evil, and to fill our hearts with love and brotherhood. He is All-Hearing, Responsive.