Inspired by ILMBEE’s Prophet’s Conduct Series (Book 3: Neighbours). This family‑friendly article draws on authentic sources to help parents and children practise good neighbourly conduct every day.
Neighbours are part of a child’s first community after family. Doors that open with a smile, lifts that wait an extra five seconds, and a shared hallway kept quiet at bedtime—these small gestures shape how young people understand kindness and responsibility. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that neighbour‑care is not a small courtesy; it is a sign of living faith.
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour and the distant neighbour, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and boastful.” (Qur’an 4:36)
He ﷺ also said that Jibrīl kept advising him about neighbours so much that he thought a neighbour might be given a share in inheritance (reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). In another, he ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his neighbour.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). And he warned: “He is not a believer whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī).
This article translates those teachings into simple, repeatable habits for families—paired with ideas you can weave into your ILMBEE e‑book reading time.
What Counts as Neighbourly Conduct
Neighbour‑care is rooted in three big ideas:
- Safety: Your neighbour should feel safe from your noise, mess, and anger.
- Consideration: Your neighbour should feel seen—greeted, included, and helped.
- Fairness: Your neighbour’s rights (parking, shared spaces, building rules) are protected, even when it is inconvenient for you.
For children, these become everyday checks: Are we too loud? Did we greet first? Did we put things back where others can use them safely?
Everyday Scenarios and Sunnah Solutions
Hallway noise at bedtime
- Problem: Children racing scooters at 10pm.
- Sunnah solution: Calmly bring play indoors after quiet hours; model the greeting of peace when passing neighbours; remind children that believers protect others from harm—including noise.
Cooking with strong aromas
- Problem: Delicious food fills the corridor; a hungry neighbour feels left out.
- Sunnah solution: Share a small portion when reasonable. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged sharing and covering dishes so smells do not hurt those who cannot partake.
Lift and parking etiquette
- Problem: Rushing into lifts; blocking the car that needs to exit.
- Sunnah solution: Give way; help with strollers or groceries; avoid blocking. Fairness is part of good conduct.
Leaky balconies, dripping ACs
- Problem: Water drips onto the neighbour’s laundry.
- Sunnah solution: Fix the leak quickly; apologise; offer help. Harm removal is a branch of faith.
Dogs, cats, and shared courtyards
- Problem: Mess left behind; children frightened.
- Sunnah solution: Clean up; keep animals under control; reassure children kindly. Mercy to animals and humans goes together.
Late‑night deliveries
- Problem: Repeated doorbells after midnight.
- Sunnah solution: Use delivery notes; collect at lobby; speak softly at the door.
Family gatherings
- Problem: Guests spilling into shared areas, loud voices.
- Sunnah solution: Assign a “quiet captain” (often an elder child) to monitor volume and doors; check on neighbours with a smile and greeting.
Teaching Children the Core Texts (In Simple Words)
- Qur’an 4:36: Allah tells us to be good to two types of neighbours—near and far. That means people next door, down the hall, and on other floors or houses.
- “Honour your neighbour” (Bukhārī/Muslim): We speak kindly, return greetings, share within our means, and protect their rest and safety.
- “Neighbour safe from your harm” (Bukhārī): We control our hands, feet, music, and online posts that could cause trouble for others.
Invite children to draw three picture‑frames labeled Safety, Consideration, Fairness and place examples under each.
ILMBEE Read‑Aloud Moments
While reading an ILMBEE e‑book about good manners, pause at scenes with neighbours:
- Ask: “Who greeted first?”
- Predict: “What could happen if we leave our bike in the hallway?”
- Rewrite: “Turn this loud complaint into a polite sentence.”
- Act: “Show me gentle hands closing the door quietly.”
These tiny pauses turn stories into habits.
A Seven‑Day Neighbour Plan (Family Challenge)
Day 1: Greetings
Agree that the first person to see a neighbour says as‑salāmu ʿalaykum with a smile. Keep track with a sticker chart.
Day 2: Quiet Hours
Post your building’s quiet hours on the fridge. Practise “soft steps, soft voices” after 9pm. Turn door handles gently.
Day 3: Hallway Safety
Clear the corridor—no tripping hazards, no scooters left outside. Teach children: shared space = shared care.
Day 4: Sharing
Send a small plate of fruit or dessert to one neighbour (if culturally appropriate). Include a short note from the children.
Day 5: Helpfulness
Offer to carry a neighbour’s groceries or hold the lift. Teach: helping starts before someone asks.
Day 6: Apology & Repair
If there has been a small past annoyance (noise, spill), write a short apology and fix it. Children learn that believers repair quickly.
Day 7: Dua for Neighbours
Before sleep, make a short family supplication for the building, street, and city. Caring hearts speak kindly even when nobody hears.
Cross‑Faith and Cross‑Culture Kindness
Many neighbourhoods in the UAE and across the world include families of different backgrounds and beliefs. The Prophet ﷺ showed consistent kindness to all neighbours—Muslim and non‑Muslim. For children, this means: greet everyone respectfully; share general kindness (holding doors, helping elders); and avoid sensitive debates in hallways. Good manners are universal.
Handling Tension the Sunnah Way
- Listen first: Let the neighbour finish explaining. Repeat their concern in your own words.
- Lower the voice: Soft tones calm hearts.
- Offer a path: “We can move the furniture earlier,” or “We will use felt pads.”
- Write it down: For repeated issues, agree on simple written steps (quiet hours, bin placement) and stick them on the notice board.
- Avoid escalation: Do not shame on building groups or social media. Private, polite messages come first.
- Seek help wisely: If needed, involve building management with facts, not blame.
Age‑Wise Activities
Ages 4–6:
- Role‑play knocking softly; practise the greeting.
- Colour a “quiet hours” clock.
- Place shoes straight at the door.
Ages 7–9:
- Make a hallway safety poster.
- Create three neighbourly sentences to use this week.
- Help carry light groceries.
Ages 10–13:
- Draft a respectful note to invite neighbours to a building clean‑up.
- Plan a shared‑space checklist (bikes, strollers, rubbish timing).
- Mediate sibling noise disputes using “listen, repeat, suggest.”
Teens:
- Start a monthly “courtyard care” hour with friends.
- Learn basic fix‑its (door felt pads, bin labels).
- Model online courtesy on building WhatsApp groups.
Questions Parents Often Ask
Do we have to share food every time we cook?
No. Sharing is recommended when reasonable, but the core duty is to avoid harming others and to speak kindly.
How far does ‘neighbour’ extend?
Qur’an 4:36 mentions the near neighbour and the distant neighbour—understood as those living next to you and those in your wider area. Apply the spirit: be considerate to those affected by your actions.
What if our neighbour is rude?
Respond with calm, set clear boundaries, and keep your conduct upright. Repair harm quickly; seek building management if needed.
Can children deliver notes or food?
Yes, with supervision. It builds confidence and warmth—but always follow building rules and safety.
A Short Reflection to End
Neighbourliness turns buildings into communities. When families practise safety, consideration, and fairness, hallways feel like home and children learn that faith lives in everyday choices. Begin with greetings, protect others from harm, and be the first to repair. These are small acts with a prophetic weight.🌐 Visit: www.ilmbee.com
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