Whoever calls to guidance shall receive a reward similar to the rewards obtained by those who followed him without diminishing anything from their rewards

Whoever calls to guidance shall receive a reward similar to the rewards obtained by those who followed him without diminishing anything from their rewards

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever calls to guidance shall receive a reward similar to the rewards obtained by those who followed him without diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever calls to misguidance shall incur a sin similar to the sins incurred by those who followed him without diminishing anything from their sins."

[Sahih/Authentic.] [Muslim]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that whoever guides people, leads them, and urges them, with words or deeds, to adopt a path of truth and goodness will attain a reward similar to that attained by those who followed him without diminishing the followers' reward in any way. On the other hand, whoever guides and leads people, with words or deeds, to a path of falsehood and evil that involves sin, misdeed, or something prohibited will incur guilt and sin similar to those incurred by the ones who followed him without diminishing their sins in any way.

Benefits

The merit of calling to guidance, whether little or great, and the fact that the caller obtains a reward similar to that of the doer, and this is out of Allah's great favor and perfect generosity.

The danger of calling to misguidance, whether little or great, and the fact that the caller incurs a sin similar to that of the doer.

Every deed has a recompense of the same kind, so, whoever calls to goodness will obtain a reward similar to that of the doer, and whoever calls to evil will incur a sin similar to that of the doer.

A Muslim must beware of being taken as an example if he commits a sin publicly and people see him, as he will be held sinful because of those who imitate him, even if he does not urge them to do that.

Categories

Religious Innovation