Is there a contradiction between the hadith, "Whoever does a good deed for you, reward him. If you find nothing to reward him with, then pray for him until you see that you have rewarded him"?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : These are two authentic hadiths whose apparent meanings suggest a contradiction. The first is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 1672Sahih (Al-Albani) This hadith was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and al-Nasa'i with an authentic chain of narration. The second hadith is: Sunan Abi Dawud 3541Hasan (Al-Albani) It was narrated by Abu Dawud, and it is a good hadith. This person who interceded for his brother undoubtedly did a good deed for him. So if he wants to reward him, how is that considered riba (usury or interest)? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good. And is this to be understood as conditioning a fee or taking a fee for this?
The Shaykh : Yes, first: there is no contradiction between the verses of the Qur'an, nor between the authentic Sunnah. This is a well-known principle among the people of knowledge. If you read two verses and think they contradict each other, review them again and again. If you do not reach a conclusion, ask the people of knowledge. The same is said regarding two authentic hadiths; it is not possible for them to contradict each other. If something is unclear to you, review it again and again. Then, if the reconciliation does not become apparent to you, look at which of the two hadiths is stronger, because the hadiths transmitted from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are not like the Qur'an; they are transmitted by reports of individuals (ahad) and by mass-transmitted reports (mutawatir). It is known that some of the reporters of individual reports are stronger than others. So look at which one is stronger. If they are equal in strength, then apply one of them in a way that does not contradict the other.
So this hadith, regarding the gift from the one for whom intercession was made to the intercessor, intends that the intercession the person seeks is for the sake of the Face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is not accepted because what is sought for the Hereafter cannot be a cause for obtaining worldly things. And because the intercessor who intercedes intends the Face of Allah, if he is given a gift, his self may overcome him in the future, and he will look at what is in the hands of people when considering his intercession. Therefore, he warned against accepting a gift for intercession. As for "Whoever does a good deed for you, reward him," the intended meaning is everything other than the intercession that was prohibited. So this is general and that is specific.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : These are two authentic hadiths whose apparent meanings suggest a contradiction. The first is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
and if anyone does you a kindness, recompense him; but if you have not the means to do so, pray for him until you feel that you have compensated him.
من صنع إليكم معروفًا فكافئوه فإن لم تجدوا ما تكافئونه فادعوا له حتى تروا أنكم قد كافئتموهIf anyone intercedes for his brother and he presents a gift to him for it and he accepts it, he approaches a great door of the doors of usury.
من شفع لأخيه شفاعة فأهدى له هدية عليها فقبلها فقد أتى بابًا عظيمًا من أبواب الرباThe Shaykh : Yes, first: there is no contradiction between the verses of the Qur'an, nor between the authentic Sunnah. This is a well-known principle among the people of knowledge. If you read two verses and think they contradict each other, review them again and again. If you do not reach a conclusion, ask the people of knowledge. The same is said regarding two authentic hadiths; it is not possible for them to contradict each other. If something is unclear to you, review it again and again. Then, if the reconciliation does not become apparent to you, look at which of the two hadiths is stronger, because the hadiths transmitted from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are not like the Qur'an; they are transmitted by reports of individuals (ahad) and by mass-transmitted reports (mutawatir). It is known that some of the reporters of individual reports are stronger than others. So look at which one is stronger. If they are equal in strength, then apply one of them in a way that does not contradict the other.
So this hadith, regarding the gift from the one for whom intercession was made to the intercessor, intends that the intercession the person seeks is for the sake of the Face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is not accepted because what is sought for the Hereafter cannot be a cause for obtaining worldly things. And because the intercessor who intercedes intends the Face of Allah, if he is given a gift, his self may overcome him in the future, and he will look at what is in the hands of people when considering his intercession. Therefore, he warned against accepting a gift for intercession. As for "Whoever does a good deed for you, reward him," the intended meaning is everything other than the intercession that was prohibited. So this is general and that is specific.