The responsibilities of a Muslim towards family, relatives and other Muslims in general, were already reviewed in an article. Here one's responsibility in Islam towards neighbors, friends, and enemies are discussed.

The Responsibility in Islam Towards Neighbors 

Doing good to neighbors is highly emphasized in Islamic teachings: “Worship Allah and … be good to … the near neighbor and the distant neighbor” (4:36). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) advised Imam Ali (AS) to honor the neighbors, even if they are disbelievers (Kafir) [1]. Imam Ali (AS) said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to invite repeatedly to doing good to neighbors such that we thought he (PBUH) was going to consider an inheritance for them [2].

The rights of neighbors on one another as an important responsibility in Islam, are:

To honor them in their presence, and to help and care about them when they are absent [3]. It includes visiting neighbors when they are sick, to assist their funeral, and to offer them your tasty meals that smell good [4];
To keep their secrets. It means that not to look for their faults and errors. And, if ever you become aware of some of their faults, do not reveal them but try to conceal their deficiencies [3];
Do not leave neighbors alone in difficulties [3]; e.g., help them in case of financial needs [4];
Do not be jealous of them if God grants them some blessings [3];
Ignore their errors to yourself and forget about them. If ever they do wrong to you unintentionally, be patient and in peace with them [3];
Do not let others talk behind their back and reveal the deficiencies of your neighbors here and there [3].
Giving priority to the neighbors. It is narrated from Imam Hassan (AS) that Lady Fatima al-Zahra (AS) used to pray firstly for the neighbors and then for members of the family [5]. 

According to Imam Sadiq (AS), having good behavior and interaction with neighbors increases the provision (Rizq) [6]. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised to respect neighbors as much as one should respect his\her mother [6] and he (PBUH) said: “God bless whoever does good to his\her neighbors” [7]. On the contrary, whoever sleeps peacefully at night while one of the his\her neighbors is hungry, God will deprive him of his blessings on the judgment day [8]. The same will happen to whoever annoys his\her neighbors [1]. 

Take your time and think about these attitudes towards the neighbors. Life will be surely much agreeable and peaceful if we improve our social interactions with our neighbors within the Islamic framework.

The Rights of Friends and Companions

Having a good companion is known as a blessing; on the contrary, a bad one is like a disaster [9]. Friends and companions have certain rights one over the other including:

To interact with them with generosity as much as you can, otherwise, be fair to them [3];
To be smiling when you meet them and to receive them modestly [3];
To respect them as they respect you [3];
To be the first one who does good to the other one, otherwise, try to compensate properly [3];
To help them in difficulties and whenever they are in need, as Imam Ali (AS) advised to [10];
To hold them in great affection according to Imam Ali (AS) [11];
Not to reveal their deficiencies and mistakes;
To encourage them in obedience to God and to prevent them from committing sins [3];
To be honest with them and not to cheat [3]; e.g., nor to talk behind their back neither to reveal their deficiencies and to guard their secrets;
To be trustworthy whenever they rely on you [3].

The Responsibility in Islam Towards the Enemies

The enemy here means a person whom one is in conflict with. There are some recommendations in Islamic resources on how to treat enemies and what is one's responsibility in Islam towards them:

To be fair with them [12]. According to Imam Sadiq (AS), a real believer (Mu'min) does not oppress his\her enemies [13];
To testify in favor of the enemies if they are right [14] even if your testimony is against yourself [3];
To keep the promises you made to your enemies [15];
To forgive and tolerate them, if possible [3]. According to Imam Ali (AS), there is a virtue in forgiving enemies [16];
To talk nicely and shortly with whoever you have complained of [3], to argue with them in a way that is best (16:125), and not to ignore their rights if ever you are wrong [3].

References:

1. M. Shoueiri “Jami’ al-Akhbar”, p. 84.
2. Shaykh al-Kulayni, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 7, p. 51.
3. Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (AS), “Treatise On Rights (Risalat al-Huquq)”.
4. responsibility towards others
5. Shaykh al-Saduq, "Ilal Al-Shara'i", p. 181
6. Shaykh al-Kulayni, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 2, p. 666.
7. Shaykh al-Saduq, “Al-Amali”, p. 288.
8. Shaykh al-Kulayni, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 2, p. 668.
9. “Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim”, T. 4719-4720.
10. “Nahj al Balaqa”, p. 494.
11. “Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim”, T. 9665.
12. Ibn Shu’bah, “Tuhaf al-Uqul”, p. 88.
13. Shaykh al-Kulayni, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 1, p. 47.
14. Shaykh al-Saduq, “Sifat al-Shia”, p. 24.
15. “Nahj al Balaqa”, p. 53.
16. “Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim”, p. 435.

Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal [i]. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month in which Muslims practice fasting (Sawm). This Feast (Eid) is considered one of the most prominent occasions in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by all Muslims around the world. But what is it that makes this feast (Eid) a special day for Muslims?

What Does Eid signify in Islamic culture?

“Eid” is derived from the verb “عَوَدَ: Avad’ah” in Arabic, which literally means “to go back”. In Islamic culture, days in which people have been relieved of hardships and catastrophes, and go back to good days of prosperity and happiness, are called Eid.

Why is the first of Shawwal called Eid al-Fitr for Muslims?

Two features make The First of Shawwal, Eid or as we call it the Feast of Fitr:

1. The Physical Hardship of Fasting (Sawm) Is Over

On this day, Muslims are again allowed to eat and drink, and the obligation to fast is lifted from them. In fact, the word “Fitr” literally means “beginning to eat and drink”. And “Iftar” means to start eating and drinking after some time. Now consider Eid al-Fitr something like daily Iftar, but on a greater scale. This is Iftar after a whole month of fasting.

2. Your Efforts Are Rewarded by Allah

Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is a special day. A day that is chosen by Allah. After a month of submission to His will and doing what it takes to get nearer to Him, and win His satisfaction, now is the time to enjoy the outcome. Allah pardons our sins, spreads His forgiveness and rains down His blessings.

As He has promised in the Quran, “…forgiveness and a great reward” (35:33) are prepared for those who fast. This is, indeed, a blessing that comes true in this world. A pleasure that Muslims experience in this world, as well as Hereafter.

So why not be happy on this day? This is a new day for Muslims, in which they go back to the time when they had not committed any sins yet. Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is a chance for them to start over.

A New Person, A New Life

To start fresh, one should put behind old habits, those actions that harmed one’s self or were harmful to others. Now that we are relieved from the burden of our mistakes, sins, and regrets, born again, pure and innocent, we should protect this gift dearly. From this day on, what counts is our future actions [ii].

Zakat al-Fitr: The Lesson of Fasting in Practice

On the day of Eid, Muslims are required to pay a certain amount of money if they can afford, that is called Zakat al-Fitr. Giving Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory, provided that the person him/herself is not poor. It marks the fulfillment of the act of fasting.

The amount of this kind of charity depends on the type of usual main food consumed by the believer during the year, which may be rice, wheat, barley, dates, etc. [2]. This amount is given to the poor people of the society or those who are underprivileged.

Feast of Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) is the realization of the lessons Muslims have learned during the 30-day fasting of Ramadan. Muslims give away part of what they consume daily of food or drinks to the poor and destitute. And they learn that in this world there are things that are far more important than bodily desires. That is humanity and the love for human beings.

Moreover, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to wash away themselves from the vices of this world. Similarly, Zakat frees the soul from the weakness of depending too much on material matters and thus, is a way to complete the effect of fasting.

Give Thanks to Allah for this Happiness and Relief

Allah has given us the chance to become a new person and mark a turning point in our lives. Shouldn’t we be grateful for this reward? We praise Allah “for He has shown us the Right Path.” And give thanks “to Him for that which He has conferred upon us” [iii]. This is where the prayer of Eid al-Fitr finds its meaning.

Eid al-Fitr Prayer (Salat): A Great Social Occasion

One of the recommended acts on this day is to perform a two-unit (Raka’a) prayer. Muslims all around the world, gather together in their mosques and form a great and unified social occasion. In the Qunut [v] of this prayer, we give thanks to Allah for pardoning our previous sins. And we ask for His help in doing what is good and in protecting our newly gifted purity in the future.

Imam Ali (AS) believed that Muslims should be reminded of the Day of Judgment, at the time of standing for the prayer of Eid al-Fitr. As if they are standing in front of Allah [iv].

Any Day Can Be an Eid, only if…

Eid is a going back, a change to a better self. So whenever one keeps him/herself from committing sins, from lying, backbiting, slandering, offending, etc. he/ she is celebrating an Eid. Similarly, the day of Eid loses its meaning if one goes on to do whatever wrong he/she used to do. As Imam Ali (AS) puts: “Any day that you do not disobey Allah (or commit sins) is your Eid”[4].

Notes:

[i] Tenth month of the Islamic Calendar.

[ii] Imam Ali (AS) said: “ O’ servants of Allah! Beware that the least outcome for the fasting men and women is that on the last day of Ramadan, an angel would call upon them that ‘O’ servants of Allah! I bring you the glad tidings of Allah’s pardon of your past sins, so be careful how you act from now on” [1].

[iii] It is a famous invocation from Imam Reza (AS) remained from Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah:

"اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ لِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا وَ لَهُ الشُّكْرُ عَلَى مَا أَوْلانَا"

“Allah is Great. Allah is Great. There is no god save Allah. And Allah is Great.Allah is Great. All praise be to Allah. All praise be to Allah for He has shown us the Right Path. All thanks be to Him for that which He has conferred upon us”

[iv] Imam Ali (AS) said: “when you leave your houses to perform Eid’s prayer, remember the time when you are resurrected from your graves and go toward Allah. When you stand to perform the prayer, think of the time you are facing divine justice and are examined for your actions. When you go back to your houses from the prayer, remember the time when you go back to your dwelling places in heaven” [3].

[v] The action of reciting a supplication while keeping the hands in front of the face, turning the palms facing upwards, and keeping both the hands and the fingers close together in the standing position of prayer (Salat).

References:

1. Sheikh al-Saduq, Al-Amali, p.100, hadith no. 10.
2. Yasin T. Al-Jibouri, Fast of the Month of Ramadhan: Philosophy and Ahkam, p. 111. 
3. Eid al Fitr
4. Nahj al-Balaghah, wisdom no. 428.