that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever calls to guidance, then he receives the reward similar to the reward of whoever follows him, without that diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever calls to misguidance, then he receives of sin similar to the sins of those who followed him, without that diminishing anything from their sins."
Hadith Commentary: The Weight of Guidance and Misguidance
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2674) establishes the immense responsibility and spiritual consequences of calling others toward paths of righteousness or error. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) articulates a fundamental principle of divine justice regarding spiritual influence.
Scholarly Explanation of Calling to Guidance
When an individual invites others to what is pleasing to Allah - whether through teaching beneficial knowledge, encouraging good deeds, or guiding people to Islamic principles - they receive rewards equivalent to those performed by everyone who follows their guidance. This includes both immediate followers and subsequent generations who continue the chain of goodness.
The divine wisdom in this multiplication of reward without diminishing others' rewards demonstrates Allah's boundless mercy. Just as lighting one candle from another doesn't reduce the first flame's light, spiritual rewards operate beyond material limitations.
The Grave Reality of Misguidance
Conversely, whoever invites to deviation from truth - whether through innovation in religion, promoting sinful practices, or leading people astray - bears the burden of sins equivalent to all who follow their misguidance. This applies to both direct instigation and establishing corrupt traditions that others perpetuate.
Scholars emphasize that this includes those who introduce heretical beliefs, promote moral corruption, or establish harmful practices that others imitate. The responsibility is particularly grave for scholars and leaders whose misguidance affects many.
Practical Implications for Muslims
This hadith encourages Muslims to actively share beneficial knowledge and righteous example while exercising extreme caution against spreading doubtful matters. It motivates da'wah (invitation to Islam) and teaching while warning against careless speech and action.
The narration also highlights the importance of verifying information before dissemination and the need for religious sincerity - ensuring one's guidance stems from authentic Islamic sources rather than personal opinion or desire.
Source and Authentication
This tradition is recorded in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Chapter: The Virtues of Knowledge, Hadith 2674) and is classified as sahih (authentic) by numerous scholars including Imam at-Tirmidhi himself and later verifiers like al-Albani.