30/06/2017

Good morning, The holiday season lies pleasantly ahead. Many holidaymakers will soon be getting anxious about the things that won’t be taken care of when they go away - burglar alarms, post, wheelie bins and in my case, my tropical fish. But I needn’t worry because God has blessed us with wonderful neighbours who take care of everything while we are on holiday.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Your neighbour has a right over you. Help him if he asks for help. Lend to him if he needs a loan. Show him concern if he is distressed. Nurse him when ill. Attend his funeral if he dies. Congratulate him if he meets any good. Sympathise with him if any calamity befalls him. Do not block his air by raising your building high without his permission. Do not harass him. Give him a share when you buy fruits, and if you do not give to him, bring what you buy quietly and do not let your children take them out to excite the jealousy of his children. Nobody can be a true believer if his neighbours pass the night hungry while he has his stomach full. Nobody can be a true believer unless his neighbours are safe from the harm of his tongue and hands.”
Islam teaches that a neighbour is not only the person living next door but that work colleagues and other people around us are also our neighbours. The recent tragedy at Grenfell Tower demonstrated the power of good neighbourliness. If we live in the same street, the same block of flats and on the same estate, then we really must get to know each other. The ‘Great Get Together’, ‘Visit My Mosque’ and the ‘Big Iftar’ during Ramadan at mosques all over the country give us some wonderful opportunities to do this.
Dear God, awaken the springs of goodness in our hearts and strengthen our society with the bond of love, affection and good neighbourliness, amin.