Agra — Muhammad Iqbal, the khateeb of Masjid Nahar Wali, Sikandra, delivered a deeply significant Friday sermon today, focusing on the rights and duties towards neighbours in Islam. He said that the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ place extraordinary emphasis on treating one’s neighbour with kindness and respect.
Iqbal began by referring to Surah An-Nisa, Verse 36, explaining its core message: “Worship Allah and associate none with Him. Be kind to parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy, neighbours and those related to you.”
He noted that it is remarkable that Allah mentions the rights of neighbours alongside His own worship and the rights of parents—showing how important this responsibility is.
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Iqbal said: “Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) continued to advise me about the rights of the neighbour so much that I feared he would include them among one’s legal heirs.”
In another hadith, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized:“By Allah, he is not a believer whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.”
Iqbal urged Muslims to reflect seriously on how they treat their neighbours. He stressed that Islam makes no distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim neighbours — a neighbour is a neighbour, and their rights remain the same.
He also cited additional prophetic teachings:“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour.” (Bukhari) “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, a person cannot be a true believer until he loves for his neighbour what he loves for himself.” (Muslim)
In conclusion, Muhammad Iqbal said that if Muslims collectively follow these fundamental Islamic teachings, it will help build a society and a nation where people live together with love, dignity and mutual respect.
