The Book of Musaqah - Sahih Muslim 1552 c

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying: Never does a Muslim plant, or cultivate, but has reward for him for what the beasts eat, or the birds eat or anything else eats out of that.

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim demonstrates the comprehensive mercy and boundless reward system of Islamic law. The Prophet (ﷺ) informs us that when a Muslim plants or cultivates any vegetation, he receives continuous reward not only for his initial effort but for every creature that benefits from his plantation.

The scholars explain that this includes all forms of cultivation - trees, crops, gardens, and any vegetation that provides sustenance. The reward continues as long as the plantation exists and benefits creation, making it a form of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah).

This teaching encourages Muslims to engage in agriculture and environmental cultivation, knowing that their reward multiplies with every bird, animal, or insect that partakes of what they have planted. It reflects Islam's comprehensive concern for all creation and the interconnectedness of the ecosystem.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

Jurists derive from this hadith the permissibility and virtue of planting useful trees and crops, even if the planter may not personally consume from them. The reward is guaranteed regardless of who benefits.

This hadith also teaches us about Allah's infinite generosity, where a single good deed is multiplied manifold. The initial act of planting becomes a source of continuous reward throughout the life of the plantation.

Scholars emphasize that this principle applies to all beneficial plantations, including those providing shade, fruits, medicine, or any other benefit to creation, demonstrating Islam's holistic approach to environmental stewardship.