Does the one who initiates a bad practice bear the burden of the actions of those influenced by it, especially if those influenced commit disbelief or abandon their obligatory duties? And is the one who initiated a bad practice forgiven if he later initiates a good practice that leads to someone embracing Islam? What if that happens after his death?

Whoever commits a bad deed and its effect extends beyond him, then he bears its sin and the sin of those who follow him, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islam will bear its sin and the sin of those who act upon it after him, without anything being diminished from their sins." And likewise, Allah Almighty says: "That they may bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and some of the burdens of those whom they misguide without knowledge. Unquestionably, evil is that which they bear." (16:25), and His saying, "Indeed, We revive the dead and We record that which they have put forth and what they left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register." (36:12).

A Muslim must beware of sins whose evil does not cease. However, whoever repents with sincere repentance, he does not bear the sin of those who followed him, even if the effect of the bad deed remains, as scholars have indicated.