“Jibrīl (Gabriel) continued to enjoin me to treat the neighbor kindly until I thought he would make him an heir.”

Narrated by al-Bukhārī (no. 6015) and Muslim (no. 2625), from the narration of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

Islam has greatly magnified the rights of a Muslim over his fellow Muslim and made it obligatory to safeguard and fulfill them. Among the greatest of these rights is the right of the neighbor, for it plays a vital role in strengthening the bonds of affection and reinforcing the unity of the Muslim community.
The Sunnah of the Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – strongly emphasized this right. In the hadīth, the Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – said: “Jibrīl (Gabriel) continued to advise me concerning the neighbor until I thought he would make him an heir.” This means that because of how often Jibrīl – peace be upon him – urged the Prophet to treat the neighbor well, the Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – thought that the neighbor would even be granted a share in inheritance. This highlights the great status and immense right of the neighbor in Islam.
The instruction regarding the neighbor includes showing kindness to him, refraining from harming him, assisting him in times of need, exercising patience with any harm he may cause, and honoring him in a manner befitting his status.
The term “neighbor” applies to one who is adjacent or close by according to common understanding—whether Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or unrelated.
Thus, a Muslim relative has three rights: the right of Islam, the right of kinship, and the right of neighborhood. A Muslim who is not a relative has two rights: the right of Islam and the right of neighborhood. A non-Muslim neighbor has the right of neighborhood. And the closer the neighbor’s home is, the greater his right to be honored.
The Qur’ān indicates the great importance of this right, as Allah the Exalted says: “And (show kindness) to the near neighbor and the distant neighbor.” (An-Nisāʾ: 36).
The Prophetic Sunnah likewise emphasizes this principle in word. In the ḥadīth:“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his neighbor.” —the Prophet -may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him- linked honoring one’s neighbor with faith in Allah and the Last Day, as an encouragement to uphold the neighbor’s rights and refrain from causing him harm.