33/38. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1893a — Guiding to Good
The virtue of helping the warrior who is fighting in the cause of Allah with mounts etc., and looking after his family in his absence
Whoever Guides to Good Hadith: Reward Like the Doer
Sahih Muslim : 1893a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1893a
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي كُرَيْبٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَمْرٍو الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي فَقَالَ " مَا عِنْدِي " . فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا أَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَحْمِلُهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ " .
Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari Narrated from:
A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: My riding beast has been killed, so give me some animal to ride upon. He (the Holy Prophet) said: I have none with me. A man said: Messenger of Allah, I can guide him to one who will provide him with a riding beast. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1893aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 195USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4665
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1893a
This famous Hadith about guiding to good begins with a man whose riding beast had been killed. He asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for an animal to ride, but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said he had none. Another man offered to guide him to someone who could provide a riding beast. Then the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: one who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer. The message is easy to apply. Sometimes a person cannot do the good act directly, but can still point someone toward it. In the wording of this Hadith, guiding is not empty talk. It helps a real need and connects a person to help.
What we learn from this hadith
- Helping can include guiding someone to the person who can help.
- The one who guides to good receives a reward similar to the doer.
- The Hadith begins with a real need for a riding animal.
- Good direction can become a meaningful act of service.
