Man as a Social Being and the Importance of Good Neighborliness
Man is a social being. This is the very reason God saw that man should not be alone and therefore made a helpmate for the first created man, Adam. There is no human on earth who lives entirely alone without a friend, companion, or neighbor. Naturally, we were created in a way that makes interaction with fellow human beings easy. The science of mingling and automatic interaction is inherent in us, given by our Almighty God.
It is easy for man to bond with man because we share the same substance. According to God’s original plan, His intention was for man to live happily without strife or quarrels with his neighbor. It is the devil, Satan, who introduced the chaotic scenarios we see in the world today.
First, Satan caused commotions in the heavenly courts by suggesting amendments to the laws of heaven. He urged the angels not to obey these laws, which resulted in the formation of two groups: those loyal to the heavenly precepts and those who followed the commands of the devil. Satan, the arch-deceiver, is the originator of all evil. After creation, he lured the newly created Adam and Eve, scheming for their fall. They heeded his voice, leading to the genesis of all problems in the world. Since then, wars, killings, kidnappings, murders, suicides, abortion, rape, and other evils have been propagated by Satan.
Having a good relationship with your neighbor is crucial in any environment. A neighbor is not only someone who lives near you in an apartment, compound, or community. Neighbors can also be found in workplaces, marketplaces, and other spaces where people engage in educational, trade, economic, or social activities. In such places, where people gather with common goals and purposes, good neighborliness is essential.
Unfortunately, some people lack courtesy and proper behavior in such settings. Discipline and decorum are key to individual success. For example, a person who is a "know-it-all" often struggles to relate well with others, causing them to be looked down upon. This attitude can spoil relationships among friends, family members, and workmates.
Some individuals intentionally create conflict within groups or communities by spreading misinformation or gossip. This leads to backbiting, hatred, and a toxic environment, harming work, business, or social activities. People living or working together should strive for peace and find ways to amend relationships when faults occur, because to err is human.
No individual can exist entirely without others. Every person is important to another. We are interdependent: the poor need the rich, and the rich need the poor. Maintaining good relationships with those around us is not just a moral obligation, but also a necessity for harmonious living and societal growth.
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