خالد

“Maintaining good neighborly relations increases one’s sustenance.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘Maintaining good neighborly relations increases one’s life span and the development of the country.”’

They were discussing misfortune in his presence. Imam (as) said: "Misfortune lies in three things: in a woman, in a mount, and in a house. As for the misfortune of a woman, it is in her high dowry and her disobedience to her husband. As for the mount, it is in its bad temperament and its refusal to allow itself to be ridden. And as for the house, it is in its narrow space, its bad neighbors, and its many defects."

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man digs a well (a canal) in a hill which reduces the water of an existing well or canal, they must be examined closely. Such tests must be conducted every night to find out which one reduces the water of the other. If it is found out that the second one reduces the water of the existing, one then it must be closed.’”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must maintain restraint from worldly attractions (sins), maintain persistence in work, attend funerals, and visit people during their illness. You should attend the Mosque with your own people, and love for people what you love for yourselves. Would it not be embarrassing for one of you to see that a neighbor recognizes your rights but you do not recognize the rights of your neighbor?”’

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) judged among the people of Medina regarding the irrigation of palm trees, that no benefit of anything should be prevented. And he judged among the people of the desert that the surplus water should not be withheld to prevent the surplus pasture. And he said: 'There is no harm and no harming.'"

There is a bad omen in three things: women, riding animals and houses. The thing with bad omen in women is the greatness of the nuptial gift and the displeasure of her husband; the thing with bad omen in riding an animal is in its not being tamed and not giving a ride; and the thing with bad omen in a house is in its small yard, bad neighbors and its many shortcomings.”

Misery was mentioned in his presence, so he said: Misery is in three things: (1) in a woman, (2) in a creature, and (3) in a house. As for the misery of a woman, it is in the exorbitance of her dowry and the responsibilities of her partner. As for the creature, it is in its poor behaviour and when it prevents one from riding its back. As for the house, it is in its narrow space, the evil of its neighbours, and the plenitude of its faults.

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and the house was full of people. There were people from Khurasan, from al-Sham and from various horizons and I could not find a place to sit. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) sat in his place and he was leaning against a pillow. He said, ‘O Shi’a (followers) of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) bear in mind that one who is not able to control his soul when angry is not from us, and so also is one who does not better his association with his associates, show proper behavior with those who exercise proper behavior, befriend those who befriend him, provide protection to those who protect him, observe proper table manners with those who share with him the table. O Shi’a (followers) of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) be pious before Allah to the best of your abilities. There are no means and no power without Allah.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Samrah ibn Jundab had a fruit bearing palm tree in the garden of another man from al-Ansar whose house was at the door of the garden and he (Samrah) would pass by when going to his palm tree without permission. The man from al-Ansar spoke to him and asked him to ask for permission whenever he comes. Samrah refused to do so. When he refused the man from al-Ansar went to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, complained before him and informed him of the condition. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, sent someone to call Samrah, informed him of the complaints of the man from al-Ansar and asked him to ask permission whenever going to his palm tree but he refused. When he refused, he (the Messenger of Allah) bargained with him and offered him a huge price but he still refused. He (the Messenger of Allah) then said, “In exchange for this you can have a fruit bearing palm trees in paradise”, but he refused to accept. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, then asked the man from al-Ansar to go, uproot that palm tree and throw it to him; harming and leading to harm is not lawful.’”

I heard Amir al-Mu’minin `Ali b. Abi Talib (as) say: I asked the Messenger of Allah (s) about the characteristics of the believer. So, he (s) lowered his head, then raised it and said: In the believer there are twenty characteristics. Whoever does not have them in him, his faith has not been perfected. O `Ali! Surely, the believers are those who (1) attend prayers, (2) hasten to zakat, (3) go on Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah, (4) fast in the month of Ramadan, (5) feed the needy, (6) feel the heads of orphans, (7) cleanse their nails, (8) cautiously cover their privates, (9) when they speak, they do not lie, (10) when they promise, they do not break it, (11) when they are entrusted, they do not betray, (12) when they speak, they are honest, (13) are monks at night, (14) are lions in the day, (15) fast during the day, (16) stand in prayer during the night, (17) do not harm a neighbour, (18) no neighbour is harmed through him, (19) walk gently on the earth, (20) walk to the houses of widows and follow funeral processions. May Allah make us and you from the Godfearing.