Question posed to Shaykh Usaamah al-‘Utaybi (may Allah preserve him):

What is the authenticity of the narration, “For everyone who makes ijtihaad there’s a portion (of reward)”? Is the narration authentic or weak, or is there no origin for it? Benefit us, may Allah bless you.

The Shaykh answered:

This speech has no origin for it from the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with this wording. It is the understanding of the narration, “When the judge strives to make a ruling and he is correct, he gets two rewards, and when he strives to make a ruling and he is incorrect, he gets one reward.” It is a narration that’s agreed upon. The meaning of the statement, “For everyone who makes ijtihaad there’s a portion (of reward)” is that he has a portion from the reward due to his ijtihaad and searching for the truth; and he is from the people (who have a right to make) ijtihaad and it is in those matters in which ijtihaad is allowed. Also, he has exerted his ability in searching for the truth and that which is correct.

Some of the people have made a corrupt principle and it is: “Everyone who makes ijtihaad is correct.” This speech is general and it combines between truth and falsehood. This is because the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) described some of those who make ijtihaad as being those who made a mistake, so how can it be said that he is correct?! However, he is rewarded for his ijtihaad if he is one who is qualified (to make ijtihaad) in a matter in which ijtihaad (is allowed), and he exerts his ability (to arrive at that which is correct). If he is correct and in agreement with the truth, then for him is the reward of his ijtihaad and the reward of arriving at the truth; and whoever is mistaken and did not agree with the truth, along with him being qualified to make ijtihaad and exerting himself in a matter where ijtihaad is allowed, then he has the reward for his ijtihaad alone.

And Allah knows best. May the Salaah and Salaam of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad.

Source: Written by Usaamah Ibn ‘Ataayah Ibn ‘Uthmaan al-‘Utaybi 7/7/1436

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
7th of Rajab, 1436 H (04-26-2015)
Masjid Nur Allah, Queens, NYC

Original Arabic

هل كل مجتهد له نصيب من الثواب؟

السؤال
(ماصحة حديث (لكل مجتهد نصيب
صحيح ام ضعيف ام لااصل له
افيدونا بارك الله فيكم؟

الجواب

.هذا الكلام لا أصل له عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بهذا اللفظ

.وهو مفهوم حديث : “إذا حكم الحاكم فاجتهد فأصاب فله أجران، وإذا اجتهد فأخطأ فله أجر واحد”. وهو حديث متفق عليه

ومعنى قولهم “لكل مجتهد نصيب” أي من الأجر لاجتهاده وتحريه الحق وهو أهل للاجتهاد وفيما يسوغ فيه الاجتهاد وقد بذل وسعه في تحري الحق والصواب

.وبعضهم قعد قاعدة فاسدة وهي “كل مجتهد مصيب” وهذا كلام مجمل يجمع حقا وباطلا
لأن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وصف بعض المجتهدين بأنه يخطئ فكيف يقال إنه مصيب؟
.لكن هو مثاب على اجتهاده إن كان متأهلا وفي مسألة اجتهادية وبذل وسعه
.فإن أصاب ووافق الحق فله أجر اجتهاده وأجر إصابة الحق
.ومن أخطأ ولم يوافق الحق وهو متأهل وقد بذل وسعه في مسألة اجتهادية فله أجر الاجتهاد فقط

والله أعلم وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد
:كتبه
أسامة بن عطايا بن عثمان العتيبي
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