Caring for Hungry Neighbors
📖Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 112
Ibn ‘Abbas informed Ibn az-Zubayr: “I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: ‘He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.’”
Explanation:
This Hadith clearly shows that Islam is not just personal worship, but it demands social responsibility. The Prophet ﷺ declared that a person cannot be considered a true believer if they eat their fill while ignoring the hunger of their neighbor, It doesn’t matter if the neighbor is Muslim or non-Muslim — Islamic compassion and duty extend to all human beings, especially those nearby.
Lessons from the Hadith:
- True faith requires care for others, especially those around you.
- Selfishness contradicts belief — ignoring others’ needs while living in comfort is not Islam.
- Helping the hungry is not optional — it’s a sign of Imaan (faith).
- Neighbors have rights in Islam, whether they share your faith or not.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 4:36
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and boastful.”
This verse includes all types of neighbors – whether they are close to you by blood, faith, or simply location. Even a non-Muslim neighbor who is hungry must be helped.
📖Quran 2:177
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who… gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask, and for freeing slaves…”
This verse shows that giving to those in need – no matter who they are — is part of righteousness. A rich Muslim must help a poor Muslim, just as a Muslim must help any poor neighbor, even if they are not Muslim.
📖Quran 60:8
Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who have not fought you because of your religion or expelled you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”
This verse directly allows and encourages kindness, justice, and compassion toward non-Muslims who live peacefully. That includes feeding, helping, and supporting them in need – especially if they’re your neighbor.
Conclusion:
The Prophet ﷺ warned that you are not a real believer if your neighbor is hungry and you ignore them. Islam demands that we care, we share, and we act – not just for Muslims, but for all who are in need.