Jār (Neighbor) - Definition, Etymology, and Importance in Islam
Jār (Arabic: جار), plural jīrān (جيران), refers to the neighbor, a significant figure in the socio-religious landscape of Islam. This entry delves into the concept, etymology, and significance of neighbors in Islamic traditions, ethics, legal rulings, and daily life.
Etymology
The term jār (جار) finds its origins in classical Arabic, signifying a person residing adjacent or nearby. In Turkish, the term for neighbor is komşu, which echoes the broader cultural emphasis on neighborliness in Islamic and global contexts.
Neighbors in Sunni and Shīʿah Traditions
Sunni Perspective
In Sunni Islam, neighbors are typically defined as those who worship in the same mosque. This connection underscores the importance of communal ties and shared religious practices.
Shīʿah Perspective
In Shīʿah Islam, the definition of a neighbor can vary:
- Some Shīʿah scholars define a neighbor as anyone within forty cubits of one’s residence.
- Others extend the term to include all occupants of forty houses on either side of one’s home. This broader interpretation highlights the expansive nature of social responsibility within the community.
Legal Aspects and Rights
A neighbor’s rights are scrupulously defined in Islamic Law. According to Baillie’s Digest (Sunni Code, p. 579; Im. Code, p. 216), neighbors have a significant role in matters of preemption concerning property sales:
- Neighbors possess the next right of preemption following immediate relatives.
- The doctrine asserts that sellers must consider their neighbors’ rights to purchase land or houses before finalizing a sale with others.
- When a property is being sold, if a neighbor is absent, the seller is obligated to delay the transaction until the neighbor returns.
Ethical Obligations Towards Neighbors
The Qurʾān exhorts Muslims to be kind to their neighbors (Sūrah an-Nisāʾ, 4:36):
<p>“Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet)…”</p>
In the Hadith or Traditions, the Prophet Muhammad emphasized profound neighborly compassion:
- Prophet’s Hadith: Muhammad was advised repeatedly by the angel Gabriel to maintain kindness towards neighbors, leading him to ponder if neighbors might even become heirs to each other.
- Reported by Abū Hurairah: The Prophet starkly distinguished between those who are devout but abusive to their neighbors, condemning such individuals to the fire, and those who engage minimally in worship but refrain from harming their neighbors, promising Paradise.
Recommended Books for Further Study
- “The Rights of Neighbours in Islam” by Imam Al-Ghazali
- “Neighbours: Community, Connection and Responsibility in Islam” by Aisha Khan
- “Islamic Jurisprudence: An International Perspective” by C.G. Weeramantry
Takeaways and Conclusion
The neighbor, or jār, holds a venerable position within Islamic teachings, stressing the integral values of compassion, respect, and ethical conduct. The multiplicity of interpretations across Sunni and Shīʿah branches reveals a profound cultural and moral fabric that influences Muslim life.
To sum up:
- Respect for neighbors is deeply ingrained in both Sunni and Shīʿah traditions.
- Legal rights regarding neighbors reflect their importance in social justice and communal harmony.
- Ethical treatment of neighbors as instructed by the Qurʾān and elaborated through Hadith underscores a holistic Islamic worldview of mutual respect and care.
Understanding these aspects helps appreciate the significant role neighbors play in fostering cohesive, harmonious societies in the Islamic paradigm.
