An example of the splendor of the religion of Islam and its greatness is that it states that whoever guides others to any righteous deed is like the one who does it. This is proved from the Hadeeth (narration) of Abu Mas‘ood Al-Ansaari, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, “A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘The beast I ride upon has been killed, so give me an animal to ride upon.’ He said: “I have none with me.” A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I can guide him to someone who will provide him with a riding beast.’ Upon that the Messenger of Allah said: “The one who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” [Muslim]
Imaam An-Nawawi said in explanation of this Hadeeth, “It points out the virtue of guiding others to good deeds, paying attention to them and helping them. It also states the virtue of teaching knowledge and acts of worship, especially to those who act upon them from the devoted worshipers and others. “A reward similar to that of its doer” means that he will be rewarded for this deed just as its doer will be rewarded for it. This does not necessitate that their reward should be equal.”
Allah The Almighty has commanded us to cooperate in righteousness and piety; He Says (what means): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.} [Quran 5: 2]
Guiding to good deeds and doing them are part of cooperation on piety and righteousness, while guiding to evil deeds and doing them will make one bear the burden of sins. It was narrated that Jareer ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that some bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah, , wearing woolen garments. He saw that they were in a bad state and desperately in need, so he urged the people to give them charity. The people were very slow to respond, and it could be seen on his face (that he was upset). Then a man of the Ansaar brought a package of silver, then another came, and another and another, and the Prophet’s, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, face was filled with joy. Upon that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Whoever sets a good precedent in Islam will have the reward for that and the reward of those who do it after him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. And whoever sets a bad precedent in Islam will bear the burden of sin for that, and the burden of those who do it after him, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest.” [Muslim]
In this blessed month, the hearts of people are eager to do good deeds, so the callers to Allah The Almighty should take advantage of this auspicious opportunity in guiding and advising people to hasten in doing righteous deeds. This is in accordance with the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.} [Quran 3: 133]
One of the most important actions that the callers to Allah The Almighty should do is to review the conditions of the needy in their area and to help them, encourage and urge people to be charitable to them, and give food to fasting people to break their fast. It was narrated on the authority of Zayd ibn Khaalid Al-Juhani, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, , said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast will have a reward like his without detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.” [At-Tirmithi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Everyone should strive hard and hasten to obey the Most Gracious, choosing the good deeds that he is able to do for this life ends swiftly and death comes when it is least expected. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.} [Quran 2: 197]