Hadith Text & Reference

"A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) looking for a mount, he said: 'Mine has been ruined.' So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Go to so-and-so.' So he went to him and he gave him a mount. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever leads to good, then for him is the same reward as the one who does it - or - who acts upon it.'" (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2671)

Contextual Background

This narration from "Chapters on Knowledge" by Imam at-Tirmidhi illustrates a practical situation where a companion's transportation was damaged, requiring immediate assistance. The Prophet's guidance demonstrates the Islamic principle of facilitating solutions for others' needs.

Scholarly Commentary

The phrase "whoever leads to good" (man dalla 'alā khayrin) encompasses all forms of guidance toward righteous deeds, whether through direct instruction, referral, or facilitating means. The dual wording "the same reward as the one who does it - or - who acts upon it" indicates comprehensive reward inclusion.

Classical scholars explain that this principle applies to both religious and worldly benefits that assist Muslims in fulfilling needs or performing good deeds. The reward equivalence stems from the causal relationship - without the guidance, the good deed might not have occurred.

Legal & Ethical Implications

This hadith establishes the Islamic legal principle that facilitators of good share in the spiritual reward. Scholars from all madhāhib (schools of jurisprudence) apply this to various contexts: guiding someone to knowledge, directing to charitable causes, referring to trustworthy professionals, or facilitating lawful employment.

The narration encourages Muslims to become means of benefit for others, transforming ordinary social interactions into opportunities for eternal reward. It elevates the status of those who serve as bridges to goodness, making them partners in righteousness.

Practical Applications

This teaching applies to: recommending teachers of Quran, directing people to mosques or Islamic centers, referring to honest merchants, guiding seekers to authentic knowledge sources, and facilitating employment for qualified Muslims.

The principle extends to digital contexts: sharing beneficial content, recommending reliable Islamic apps, or connecting people with scholars online. The essential condition is that the guidance leads to something Islamically permissible or recommended.