Righteousness and Error
📖Sahih Muslim 2674
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who called (people) to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.
This hadith highlights the immense responsibility and reward tied to influencing others. If a person invites people toward righteousness, whether through speech, action, or example, they will receive the same reward as those who follow that guidance. None of their reward is reduced; rather, it becomes a continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah). But if someone misguides others, leads them toward sin, innovation, or rebellion against Allah’s command, then the burden of their sin will multiply through those they influenced, without their own sins being lightened.
What is “Righteousness” in Islam?
True righteousness is not defined by personal opinions or emotions. It must be based on what Allah has commanded and what His Messenger ﷺ has taught. Anything that is not from Allah or His Messenger is not righteousness, even if it “feels good” to the person. Following commands like prayer, fasting, honesty, hijab, justice, humility, and avoiding forbidden acts, these are acts of righteousness, because they come from divine instruction, not from human invention.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 5673
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one’s deeds will ever admit him to Paradise.”
They asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied: “Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy.”
This hadith shows that good deeds alone are not enough to earn Paradise. Rather, all righteous actions are part of Allah’s mercy sent down to guide mankind. The very ability to pray, fast, give charity, and live with righteousness is from His mercy, it is not something earned by human effort alone. Obedience itself is a sign of Allah’s favor.
📖Sahih Muslim 2752
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah created mercy in one hundred parts, and He sent down one part among the jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they show compassion to one another, and He has kept back ninety-nine parts to show mercy to His servants on the Day of Resurrection.”
This explains that what we experience of kindness, love, and guidance in this world is only 1% of Allah’s full mercy. The remaining 99 parts are reserved for the Day of Judgment, it is that mercy which will ultimately admit people into Paradise. So, righteous deeds are not a ticket to Jannah by themselves, they are a manifestation of Allah’s mercy that He placed within us, and it is through His complete mercy that salvation is granted.
Qur’anic Context
📖Quran 16:125
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is rightly guided.
📖Quran 3:104
Let there be among you a group who call to goodness, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. It is they who will be successful.
📖Quran 7:38
Every nation will be called to account. The later group will say about the earlier one: “Our Lord, they misled us, so give them double punishment.” He will say, “For each is double, but you know not.”
📖Quran 2:2
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who fear Allah.
These verses emphasize that calling others to good must be based on divine revelation, and misguidance will be heavily punished. The influence of one’s actions spreads to others, and with it comes either ongoing reward or increased sin.