47/6. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1017e — Good Practice and Charity
The One Who Starts Something Good Or Something Bad; The One Who Calls Others To Guidance Or Misguidance
Hadith About Good Practice in Islam and Charity
Sahih Muslim : 1017e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1017e
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُوسَى، بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ وَأَبِي الضُّحَى عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ هِلاَلٍ الْعَبْسِيِّ، عَنْ جَرِيرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ قَالَ جَاءَ نَاسٌ مِنَ الأَعْرَابِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْهِمُ الصُّوفُ فَرَأَى سُوءَ حَالِهِمْ قَدْ أَصَابَتْهُمْ حَاجَةٌ فَحَثَّ النَّاسَ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَأَبْطَئُوا عَنْهُ حَتَّى رُئِيَ ذَلِكَ فِي وَجْهِهِ - قَالَ - ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَجُلاً مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ جَاءَ بِصُرَّةٍ مِنْ وَرِقٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ ثُمَّ تَتَابَعُوا حَتَّى عُرِفَ السُّرُورُ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ سَنَّ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةً فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَىْءٌ وَمَنْ سَنَّ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ سُنَّةً سَيِّئَةً فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلُ وِزْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَوْزَارِهِمْ شَىْءٌ " .
Jarir bin 'Abdullah Narrated from:
Some desert Arabs clad in woollen clothes came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). He saw them in sad plight as they had been hard pressed by need. He (the Holy Prophet) exhorted people to give charity, but they showed some reluctance until (signs) of anger could be seen on his face. Then a person from the Ansar came with a purse containing silver. Then came another person and then other persons followed them in succession until signs of happiness could be seen on his (sacred) face.Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: He who introduced some good practice in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who introduced some evil practice in Islam which had been followed subsequently (by others), he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their's being diminished in any respect.
[1] During the time of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ woolen garments were considered coarse clothing and were used by the poor.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1017eIn-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 26USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 34, Hadith 6466
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1017e
This hadith about good practice in Islam begins with people in need. Jarir b. Abdullah reported that some desert Arabs came to Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم wearing woollen clothes and looking distressed because of hardship. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم urged people to give charity, but they were slow at first. Then a man from the Ansar brought a purse of silver, and others followed one after another until happiness appeared on the Prophet’s face. He then said that whoever introduces a good practice in Islam that is followed after him receives reward like those who act on it, without reducing their reward. He also warned about introducing an evil practice that others follow.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity is encouraged when people are visibly in need.
- One person’s good action can encourage others to do good.
- A person may carry reward or burden when others follow their practice.
