Etymology and Definition
The Arabic term جَار (Jār), plural جِيرَان (Jīrān), directly translates to “neighbors.” Derived from the root ج-و-ر, the term encompasses both physical proximity and the social ethic of mutual support and rights within the immediate community.
Background and Cultural Context
Sunni Perspective:
Sunni tradition commonly defines a neighbor as those who worship in the same mosque. Their sphere of influence and interaction is often the congregation they share daily prayers with.
Shia Perspective:
In Shia thought, the designation of a neighbor often extends to anyone whose house is within forty cubits (approx. 20 meters), but some expand this to include up to forty houses in any direction.
Neighborly Rights and Social Obligations
Islamic law places significant emphasis on the rights and duties towards neighbors:
- Right of Preemption: According to the Hanafi school of thought, a neighbor has a superior claim to buy property adjacent to their own compared to other buyers.
- Kindness and Generosity: The Qurʾān, Sūrah An-Nisā (4:36), instructs Muslims to be kind to their neighbors. The Prophet Muhammad stressed that one’s faith is under scrutiny if they neglect their neighbor’s well-being.
Quotations and Traditions
Prophetic Traditions:
- “He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry.”
- “The neighbor of a house has a superior right to the purchase of that house… and if he is absent, the seller must wait for his return.”
Notable Literary References:
- Mishkāt al-Masābīh - A hadith collection, details various anecdotes emphasizing neighborly kindness and rights.
Related Concepts and Synonyms
- Qarīb (قريب): Although it directly translates to “close” or “near,” it is often contextually used to discuss immediate family, stressing geographic and emotional closeness.
- Ṣadīq (صديق): Meaning “friend,” builds on the social bond that often overlaps with being neighbors.
Antonyms
- ʿAdūw (عدو): Meaning “enemy,” signifying opposition both socially and geographically.
Exciting Facts
- Gabriel’s Counsel: It is narrated that angel Gabriel repeated the importance of good treatment of neighbors so frequently that the Prophet Muhammad almost expected neighbors to become heirs.
Suggested Literature and Further Studies:
- “Ethics and Fiqh in Islam” by Mohamad Abdullah - Discussion on social principles in Islam.
- “The Fiqh of Neighborliness” by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi - Exploration of Islamic jurisprudence in the context of neighborly rights.
Quizzes
The essence of living lies in the warmth of connections, where the proximity of hearts often surpasses the proximity of houses.
— Imran Mustafa, October 3, 2023
