Literal Definition of Bid’ah:
Allama Majd al-Din Yaqub bin Muhammad Firoozabadi (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
﴿بدعة بالكسر: الحدث فى الدين بعد الإكمال أو ما استحدث بعد النبى من الأهواء والاعمال .﴾
Bid’ah: with a kasra under the letter Bā (ب), means something introduced after the completion of the religion, or something created in the form of desires and actions after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Allama Muhammad bin Abi Bakr Al-Razi says:
﴿البدعة: الحديث فى الدين بعد الإكمال .﴾
“Bid’ah is to invent something new in the religion after its completion.”
❀ Abu Ishaq Al-Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“The root word is ‘bada’a’.” Its meaning is to create something without any precedent or example, and from this is Allah’s statement:
﴿بَدِیْعُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِؕ﴾
Meaning: The One who created the heavens and the earth without any prior example.
❀ Allah Almighty further says:
﴿قُلْ مَا كُنْتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ﴾
“Say: I am not the first new man to bring a message from Allah; there have been many messengers before me.”
Similarly, when it is said! “ابْتَدَعَ فُلَانٌ بِدْعَةٌ” meaning he started a method which no one had preceded before.
From the explanations of these lexicons, it is understood that the meaning of Bid’ah is to invent something for which there was no prior example or precedent.
Terminological Definition of Bid’ah:
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) states that ﴿بَدِیْعُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِؕ﴾ means that Allah Almighty created the heavens and the earth without any previous example or precedent, and this is the linguistic requirement. Because in the language, every new thing is called Bid’ah, and there are two types of Bid’ah:
Religious Bid’ah:
❀ As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Every new thing is a Bid’ah, and every Bid’ah is misguidance.”
Linguistic Bid’ah:
Like when the Commander of the Faithful Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said about people gathering to pray Taraweeh that this is a very good Bid’ah.
Imam Abdul Rahman bin Shabab, known as Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him), states:
﴿والمراد بالبدعة: مما لا أصل له فى الشريعة يدل عليه فأما ما كان له أصل من الشرع يدل عليه فليس ببدعة شرعا وإن كان بدعة لغة﴾
“Bid’ah refers to that newly invented thing which has no basis in the Shariah and which indicates it. In any case, if there is a basis in the Shariah that indicates it, then it is not a Shariah bid’ah even if it is bid’ah in the linguistic sense.”
Maulvi Abdul Ghani Khan Hanafi writes in his book ”
” p. 161, referring to “Al-Bahr al-Ra’iq” and “Dur Mukhtar”:
“Bid’ah is that thing which is invented against a truth taken from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It is considered good on the basis of knowledge, action, state, or some doubt, and it is made into a firm religion and a straight path.”
From the explanations of these Imams and Hanafi elders, it is understood that every new act which is included in the religion considering it as reward and worship is bid’ah.
The word “all” indicates generality, just as كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ means “Every soul shall taste death.” Similarly, كل بدعة ضلالة “Every innovation in religion is misguidance.” Saying that there can be a good innovation is incorrect, because if someone says that there can be good polytheism and good disbelief, then what would be the answer to that?
Condemnation of Innovation in the Light of the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty has mentioned a warning for the scholars of the Jews who used to alter the verses of the Torah and its rulings for the sake of the insignificant goods of this world and made people believe that this altered speech was the word of Allah. Due to their actions, they unjustly oppressed people in two ways: they changed their religion and also unlawfully consumed their wealth:
﴿فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ﴾
“So woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ to exchange it for a small price. So woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn thereby.”
Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) states that although Allah Almighty has condemned in this verse those Jewish scholars who used to alter the verses of the Torah, after the advent of Islam, this also includes those who distort the Quran and Sunnah to justify innovations. This condemnation is directed at those Jews who did not possess knowledge of the Torah and only had some baseless desires. Now it also includes those who do not reflect upon the Quran but merely recite its letters, those who write and propagate something contrary to the Quran for worldly gains, claiming it to be the law and religion of Allah, and those who conceal the Quran and Sunnah so that their opponents cannot use the truth against them.
﴿وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ﴾
“And indeed, this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow other ways that will separate you from His path. Allah has commanded that you may become righteous.”
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
In this verse, the word “Sabeel” (path) is singular for Islam, and “Subul” (paths) is plural for other religions and sects. This is because the truth is one, while imitative religions and sects of beliefs are many and varied.
Ibn Atiyyah says that the word “Subul” includes Judaism, Christianity, Magianism, and all other circles, innovations, and misguidances created by people of desires and whims. Similarly, all sects of theological knowledge that unnecessarily delve into details fall under this category.
Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: Know that the path is only one, and the group of the guided and their end is Paradise, while Iblis has created various paths which are groups of the misguided, and their end is Hell.
This verse is proof that the unity of the Islamic Ummah can only come into existence in one way: by abandoning all sects and religions and following only the true Islam, which is solely based on the Quran and Hadith. Without this, it is impossible for the Muslims to unite, as Imam Malik (RA) said that this Ummah can be reformed in any era only by following the path adopted by the Companions (RA) for reform.
﴿قُلْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ﴾
“Say, indeed those who fabricate lies against Allah will not succeed.”
Bid’ah (innovation) is synonymous with افترا على الله اور افترا على الرسول ﷺ. A person who innovates in religion can never succeed, and his abode is Hell.
﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا﴾
“And when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, there remains no choice for a believing man or woman regarding that matter. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly gone far astray.”
When the command of Allah and His Messenger is issued in any matter, no believing man or woman has the option to oppose it and act according to their own or someone else’s opinion, because doing so would be outright disobedience to Allah and His Messenger and clear misguidance.
﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا﴾
“By your Lord, they will never become believers until they accept you in all their disputes and feel no discomfort in their hearts about your decision and fully submit.”
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
That the ruling mentioned in this verse includes all matters, meaning that whenever the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is issued in any matter, it is not permissible for anyone to oppose it, nor does anyone’s statement or opinion retain any status.
﴿أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾
“Are there among them those who have set up a religion for them which Allah has not permitted? And if it had not been for the decree from Allah, their matter would have been decided between them; and indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.”
The commentators write that this noble verse strongly denies associating partners with Allah and declares Allah’s wrath and anger against the polytheists. That is why it is said afterward that if the decision had not been made that their punishment is deferred to the Day of Resurrection, then their crime would have demanded that they be destroyed immediately, and such wrongdoers will be given a painful punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
﴿وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾
“And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah while he is being invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
Allah Almighty sent the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to the world with the true religion of Islam, which has clearly distinguished between truth and falsehood. Now, if someone closes their eyes to this and slanders Allah Almighty, then who could be a greater oppressor than that? Just as was the case with the polytheists of Quraysh, who attributed sons and partners to Allah, made His forbidden things lawful and His lawful things forbidden, and said that if it were not for Allah’s will, they would not worship idols.
The blisters of the heart ignited from the scars of the chest
This house caught fire from the lamp of the house
Condemnation of Innovation in the Light of the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ
Innovation is the opposite of the Sunnah; innovation means adding to the religion, which has been strictly prohibited in the Quran and Sunnah with very severe words.
① It is narrated from Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
﴿إذا حدثتكم حديثا فلا تزيدن عليه﴾
“When I convey something to you, do not add to it.”
② ﴿عن البراء بن عازبؓ قال: قال النبى ﷺ: إذا أتيت مضجعك ، فتوضأ وضونك للصلاة ، ثم اضطجع على شقك الأيمن، ثم قل اللهم أسلمت وجهى إليك ، وفوضت أمرى إليك ، وألجأت ظهرى إليك ، رغبة ورهبة إليك ، لا ملجأ ولا ، أ منك إلا إليك ، اللهم آمنت بكتاب الذى أنزلت ، ونبيك الذى أرسلت. فإن مت من ليلتك، فأنت على الفطرة، واجعلهن آخر ما تكلم به . قال: فرددتها على النبى ﷺ، فلما بلغت: اللهم آمنت بكتابك الذى أنزلت ، قلت: ورسولك، قال:لا، ونبيك الذى أرسلت﴾
Narrated by Sayyiduna Bara bin Azib (RA) that he said the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me:
When you go to your sleeping place, first perform ablution like for prayer and lie on your right side and recite this supplication. O Allah, in eagerness for Your reward and fearing Your punishment, I have entrusted myself to You and taken You as my refuge; there is no refuge except with You. O Allah! I believe in the Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent. Now if you die this night, you will die on the natural disposition of Islam. Also recite these supplicatory words after finishing all matters. Sayyiduna Bara (RA) says that I repeated these words in front of you until I reached the place “آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ” then I said “وَرَسُولِكَ“. You said no, rather say “وَنَبِيِّكَ الَّذفى اَرْسَلْتَ“.
③ ﴿عن العرباض بن سارية ، قال: وعظنا رسول الله ﷺ يوما بعد صلاة الغداة موعظة بليغة ذرفت منها العيون ووجلت منها القلوب، فقال رجل: إن هذه موعظة مودع فماذا تعهد إلينا يارسول الله؟ قال: أوصيكم بتقوى الله والسمع والطاعة وإن تأمر عليكم عبد حبشي فإنه من يعش منكم فسيرى اختلافا كثيرا وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور فإنها ضلالة فمن أدرك منكم ذالك فعليه بسنتي وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين ، عضوا عليها بالنواجذ﴾
Muhaddith Albani has declared it authentic.
❀ Sayyid Na Arabaz bin Sariya رضي الله عنه says:
One day after the morning prayer, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave us such a powerful sermon that tears flowed from the eyes and the heart trembled. Someone said, “This is the farewell advice. What will you command us after this?” The Prophet ﷺ said:
I advise you to fear Allah, listen to the commands, and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. Those of you who live will see great discord arise among my Ummah, and beware of newly invented innovations in religion, for they are misguidance. Whoever lives in such a time should firmly hold on to my Sunnah and that of my Rightly Guided Caliphs with their molars.
Hafiz Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in “جامع العلوم والحكم” while explaining the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ statement “فإن كل بدعة ضلالة” that your mentioned statement is among those comprehensive words from which nothing is excluded. It is a great principle in the fundamentals of religion and is similar to the Prophet’s ﷺ saying “من أحدث فى أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد“. Therefore, whoever innovates something new and attributes it to the religion, and there is no original reference for it in the religion, then it is misguidance and the religion is free from it, whether it concerns matters of belief or outward and inward actions and sayings. Innovation is rejected, and the innovator is also rejected.
④ It is narrated from Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
﴿من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد﴾
“Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not part of it, it is rejected.”
In Sahih Muslim, this hadith is narrated in these words:
﴿من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد﴾
“He who does any action which is not commanded by us is rejected.”
And Imam Al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated it as:
﴿من أحدث فى ديننا ما ليس منه فهو رد﴾
Meaning, in this hadith, the interpretation of “أَمْرِنَا” is from “دیننا“. The command refers to religion, that is, whoever innovates something new in religion is rejected.
According to this interpretation, worldly innovations are excluded from the definition of religious innovation (bid’ah), and the doubts of the innovators who say that wearing a watch, loudspeakers, cars, etc. are also innovations have been removed. From the above hadith, it is understood that the rejected innovation is that which is newly introduced in religion and is considered an act of worship intended to seek nearness to Allah. This is the same point mentioned by Imam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) under Hadith number 176/15 in Jami’ al-‘Ulum wal-Hikam.
⑤ The innovator is cursed by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
❀ The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
﴿لعن الله من أحدث فى الإسلام حدنا﴾
“May Allah curse the one who innovates something new in Islam.”
⑥ In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever innovates a bid’ah (innovation) or gives shelter to a bid’ah in his home, upon him is the curse of Allah, His angels, and all people.”
⑦ Every bid’ah is misguidance:
﴿أما بعد ، فإن خير الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدى هدي محمد ، وشر الأمور محدثاتها و كل بدعة ضلالة .﴾
“Indeed, the best book is the Book of Allah, and the best way is that of Muhammad ﷺ, and the worst matters are the newly invented ones, and every bid’ah is misguidance.”
⑧ In one place, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
﴿لكل عمل شرة ولكل شرة فترة ، فمن كانت فترته إلى متتي فقد اهتدى، ومن كانت فترته إلى غير ذلك هلك .﴾
“In every action there is greed and excess, and after every excess there is laziness and deficiency. So if someone’s greed and pursuit is towards my Sunnah, then he will be guided, and whoever’s greed and pursuit is towards something other than the Sunnah, then he will be ruined and destroyed.”
⑨ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Medina is such a sacred place that its trees should neither be cut down nor should any innovation be introduced in it. Whoever introduces an innovation in it, may Allah, the angels, and all of mankind curse him.”
⑩ The innovator’s supplication is also not accepted:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
﴿إن الله حجب التوبة عن كل صاحب بدعة﴾
“Indeed, Allah has forbidden acceptance of supplication from every person who innovates.”
And in another narration, the words are:
﴿حتي يدع بدعته﴾
“Until he abandons his innovation.”
Condemnation of Innovation in the Sayings of the Companions (RA)
Every distressed person cries, this makes me cry,
Those who have fainted, perhaps this will awaken them.
The Companions (RA) loved the Sunnah and intensely hated innovation. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them this very thing. Accordingly:
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA):
Allama Ibn Saad (RA) has mentioned in his chain of narration that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) said:
People! I am a follower of the Sunnah, not an innovator, so if I am correct, help me, and if I deviate, correct me.
Sayyiduna Umar Farooq (RA):
❀ Sayyiduna Umar Farooq (RA) says:
“Beware of the innovators because they are enemies of the Sunnah; when they could not memorize the Hadiths, they began to say whatever came to their mind, leading themselves astray and misleading others.”
Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) stated:
﴿إن لكل صاحب ذنب توبة غير أصحاب الاهواء و البدع ، ليس لهم توبة، أنا بريء منهم، وهم منى براء .﴾
“Every sinful person’s repentance is accepted except for the innovator; I declare disassociation from them, and they are disassociated from me.”
Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtaza (RA):
It is narrated mursal from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s curse be upon the person who sacrifices for anyone other than Allah, and His curse be upon the person who steals the boundaries of the land, and Allah’s curse be upon the person who curses his parents, and also Allah’s curse be upon the person who gives refuge to an innovator.
Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtaza (may Allah be pleased with him) says in Madinah al-Munawwarah about the one who innovates in religion and honors or respects an innovator:
﴿من أحدث فيها حدثا أو أوى فيها محدثا ، فعليه لعنة الله ، والملئكة ، والناس أجمعين ، لا يقبل منه صرف ولا عدل﴾
“So whoever in it (Madinah) introduces a new matter or gives refuge to an innovator, upon him be the curse of Allah, the angels, and all mankind; neither his obligatory nor voluntary acts of worship will be accepted.”
Lady Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her):
It is narrated from Lady Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
﴿من أحدث فى أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد .﴾
“Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not from it, then it is rejected and unacceptable.”
The words of the second narration are as follows.
﴿من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد .﴾
“Whoever does a deed for which there is no command from us, then it is rejected.”
Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) explains this hadith as:
This hadith is a great principle of Islam; it is among the comprehensive sayings of the Prophet ﷺ. It explicitly refutes all kinds of innovations and self-invented matters. The second narration adds to the meaning, stating that if the first narration is presented as evidence against someone who practices previously invented innovations, he may stubbornly claim that he did not invent anything. Therefore, the second narration serves as evidence against him, stating that every new thing is rejected, whether the doer invented it himself or someone else invented it before him.
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him):
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه) said:
﴿اتبعوا ولا تبتدعوا فقد كفيتم .﴾
“Follow and do not commit innovations, surely the Sunnah is sufficient for you, there is no need for people’s opinions.”
At another place, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه) said:
﴿اتبعوا ولا تبتدعوا فقد كفيتم وكل بدعة ضلالة﴾
“Follow the Sunnah and do not introduce innovations, for indeed the Sunnah is sufficient for you and every innovation is misguidance.”
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه) further said:
﴿تعلموا العلم قبل أن يقبض ، وقبضه أن يذهب أهله، الا وإياكم التنطع والتعمق والبدع وعليكم بالعتيق .﴾
“Learn the knowledge of the Book and Sunnah before it is taken away, and its being taken away means the departure of the people of knowledge. Beware of extremism, spying, and innovations, and follow the old path.”
❀ Sayyiduna Ibn Masood (رضي الله عنه) says:
“Indeed, today you are upon the natural disposition (Islam), but surely you will innovate innovations and people will also innovate innovations for your sake. So when you see a new matter, hold firmly to the first path and method.”
Amr bin Yahya narrates from his father that we were sitting at the door of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) before the Fajr prayer, and when he came out, we all went with him to the mosque. At that moment, Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) came and asked, “Has Abu Abdur Rahman not come out yet?” We said no, so he also sat until he came out. When he came out, we all stood up. Abu Musa said:
O Abu Abdur Rahman! I have just seen something in the mosque that displeased me greatly and الحمد للہ only saw good in it. He asked, what is it? He replied, if you live, you will see it too. He said, I saw some people sitting in circles in the mosque waiting for prayer. In each circle, there was one man holding pebbles in his hand. When he said, say “اللہ اکبر” one hundred times, everyone said “الله اکبر” one hundred times. When he said, say “لا الہ الا اللہ” one hundred times, they said “لا الہ الا اللہ” one hundred times. When he said, say “سبحان اللہ” three times, they said “سبحان اللہ” one hundred times. He said, why did you not tell them to count their sins and take a guarantee that none of your good deeds will be wasted? Then he left. We also followed him until we stood near one of those circles and said, what are you doing? They replied, O Abu Abdur Rahman, these are pebbles with which we count Takbeer, Tahleel, Tasbeeh, and Tahmeed. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said, count your sins; I guarantee that none of your good deeds will be wasted. O Ummah of Muhammad! Woe to your destruction, how quickly your ruin has come. This is the company of the Companions, the clothes of the Prophet ﷺ have not yet decayed, nor have his utensils broken. By the One in whose hand is my life! Are you on a path better than the path of Muhammad ﷺ or are you opening the doors of misguidance? They said, by Allah! O Abdur Rahman, our intention is only to seek good. He said, how many seekers of good are there who can never attain it? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us a hadith that a people will recite the Qur’an but it will not go beyond their throats, and by Allah, I do not know, perhaps most of them are among you. Saying this, he returned from there. Amr bin Salmah says, we saw them on the day of Nahrawan fighting against us alongside the Kharijites with arrows.
Khatib Baghdadi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates the saying of Sayyidna Ibn Mas’ud and Abi Ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with them):
﴿الاقتصاد فى السنة خير من الاجتهاد فى البدعة .﴾
“According to the Sunnah, doing a little act consistently is better than innovating by doing a lot.”
Sayyidna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
❀ It is narrated from Hazrat Imam Nafi’ (may Allah have mercy on him):
﴿أن رجلا عطس إلى جنب ابن عمر فقال: الحمد لله والسلام على رسول الله . قال ابن عمر وأنا أقول: الحمد لله والسلام على رسول الله، وليس هكذا ، علمنا رسول الله ﷺ علمنا أن نقول الحمد لله على كل حال .﴾
Muhaddith Albani graded it as “Hasan”.
A person sitting beside Sayyidna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sneezed, and he said الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلُ اللهِ. Upon this, Sayyidna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I also say “اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولُ اللهِ” but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not teach us this; rather, he taught us that when we sneeze, we should say “الحَمْدُ الله“.
Sayyidna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
﴿كل بدعة ضلالة وإن رآها الناس حسنة .﴾
Every innovation is misguidance even if people consider it good.
❀ Sayyidna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
﴿بلغني أنه قد أحدث فإن كان أحدث فلا تقرته مني السلام .﴾
“I have been informed that so-and-so has become an innovator, so if he is indeed an innovator, then do not greet him on my behalf.”
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbasؓ:
① Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbasؓ says:
“No year will pass over the people in which they do not invent some innovation and kill some Sunnah. Until innovations remain alive and enduring, and Sunnahs continue to die out.”
② Uthman bin Hazirؒ says that I went to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbasؓ and requested advice, so he said:
“Yes, hold firmly to piety from Allah, maintain steadfastness, follow the Sunnah, and stay away from innovation.”
③ The exalted command of Allah Almighty:
﴿يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ﴾
Regarding the day when some faces will be white and some faces will be black, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbasؓ explains:
That is, the faces of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama’ah will be bright, and the faces of the people of innovation and division will be dark.
④ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (ra) says:
﴿إن أبغض الأمور إلى الله البدع .﴾
“Indeed, among the most disliked deeds in the sight of Allah are innovations (bid’ah).”
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman (ra):
Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman (ra) said that he took two stones and placed them one on top of the other and asked his companions, “Do you see any light between these two stones?” They said, “O Abu Abdul Rahman! We see nothing except a faint light between these two stones.” He said, “By the One in Whose hand is my soul! Soon innovations will become so widespread that the truth will appear as faint as the light you see between these two stones. By Allah! Innovations will become so common that if any innovation is left out, people will say that a Sunnah has been left out.”
Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (RA):
Sayyiduna Yazid ibn Umairah was among the companions of Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (RA). He used to often mention that whenever Sayyiduna Mu’adh (RA) would sit in a gathering of remembrance, he would say:
Allah is the One of wisdom and justice, and those who doubt are destroyed. One day Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (RA) said:
After you, many trials will emerge, one of which is the trial of abundance of wealth, and the Quran will be opened up, so much so that it will be seen by the believer and the hypocrite, man and woman, young and old, slave and free, all will see it. It is near that someone will say, “What has happened to the people that they do not follow me, even though I have recited the Quran?” Those people will never, ever follow him, except that (other than this Quran reciter) someone else will innovate for them a bid’ah (innovation) (and they will follow that). You should avoid that innovation which he will fabricate. Surely, what he has innovated is misguidance. And Sayyiduna Mu’adh (RA) said:
I warn you against the wise (learned) who is misguided, because sometimes Satan makes even the tongue of a wise man utter words of misguidance, and sometimes a hypocrite may speak the truth? (Yazid says) I asked Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه:
May Allah have mercy on you, please explain to me how a wise man can also say words of misguidance and a hypocrite can also say words of truth? Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه replied:
Why not! Beware of the words of the wise, and if someone says about him, “What is this?” he will not separate that misguidance from the truth for you, and it is also possible that he may retract his statement or when he hears the truth, he accepts it. Surely, the truth is radiant and luminous.
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه:
❀ It is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه:
﴿جاء ثلاثة رهط إلى بيوت أزواج النبى ﷺ يسألون فلما أخبروا كأنهم تقالوها ، فقالوا: وأين نحن من النبى ﷺ قد غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه وما تأخر ، قال احدهم أما أنا فإني أصلى الليل أبدا ، وقال آخر: أنا أصوم الدهر ولا أفطر ، وقال آخر: أنا أعتزل النساء فلا اتزوج ابدا فجاء رسول الله ﷺ، فقال: انتم الذين قلتم كذا وكذا أما والله إنى لاخشاكم لله واتقاكم له ، لكنى اصوم وأفطر ، وأصلى وارقد، وأتزوج النساء ، فمن رغب عن سنتي فليس مني .﴾
Three men came to the Pure Wives and inquired about the worship of the Prophet ﷺ. When they were informed about it, they belittled it and said, “What relation do we have with your Prophet ﷺ? Allah has forgiven all your past and future sins.” One of them said, “I will pray voluntary prayers all night,” the second said, “I will always fast during the day,” and the third said, “I will stay away from women and never marry” (meaning he would always be engaged in worship). Suddenly, the Prophet ﷺ arrived and said, “Did people tell you such and such? Beware, by Allah! I am the most God-fearing and the most pious among you. I sometimes fast voluntary fasts and sometimes I do not. I sometimes pray voluntary prayers at night and sometimes I sleep. I also marry women. Therefore, whoever turns away from my way is not from me.”
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه :
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه said:
“I have not seen any of the Companions of the Messenger ﷺ who disliked any matter in Islam more than innovation (bid’ah).”
Sayyiduna Uthman bin Abu al-As رضي الله عنه:
Sayyiduna Uthman bin Abu al-As رضي الله عنه was invited to a feast on the occasion of a child’s circumcision, but he declined the invitation. When asked the reason for his refusal, he said:
﴿إنا كنا لا نأتي الختان على عهد رسول الله ﷺ ولا ندعى له .﴾
Ahmad Shakir has declared it “Sahih.”
“We did not participate in feasts held on the occasion of circumcision during the time of the Messenger ﷺ, nor were such feasts given.”
Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka’b رضي الله عنه:
Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud and Ubayy bin Ka’b رضي الله عنه said:
﴿الاقتصاد فى السنة خير من الاجتهاد فى البدعة .﴾
“According to the Sunnah, doing a little is better than doing more while following an innovation.”
Condemnation of Innovation in the Statements of the Tabi‘in
Honorable Umar bin Abdul Aziz رضي الله عنه:
Honorable Umar bin Abdul Aziz رضي الله عنه used to say:
“By Allah! If I do not elevate the Sunnah and eliminate innovation, I would not like to live even for a moment in this world.”
Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA) wrote in a letter to a man:
(سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ) Peace and blessings be upon you. After this, I advise you to rely on the religion of Allah and to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and to avoid what later generations have fabricated. The Sunnah has already been established, and enduring hardship for it is sufficient. Then let this also be firmly established in your mind that whenever an innovation (bid’ah) appears, the thing that was valid before it disappears, because the Sunnah is that which was followed by those who knew that anything contrary to or opposing it is misguidance, error, ignorance, foolishness, and stupidity. Be content with that upon which the people (the Companions) were content with their souls. Indeed, they refrained out of knowledge and remained steadfast due to deep insight. They were more capable of uncovering matters, and if there was any virtue in it, they were more deserving and entitled to it. They passed away before you, and if guidance is that upon which you are, then have you surpassed them in guidance? (And this is not possible.) So then you make an excuse that these matters appeared after them, so inevitably they must have fabricated these matters, those who follow a path other than theirs and consider themselves separate from them. Therefore, indeed, we have spoken about attributes that were other than their speech, and that is blame, deficiency, and disrespect. Some went beyond them, which will be a cause of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection. Some diminished them, so they could not remain on the Straight Path, and some turned away from them, so they committed excess. Despite this, they were on the Straight Path. If you say, “Where then do such and such verses go? And why did Allah say such and such?” Indeed, they read what you read and knew their interpretation, whose explanation and interpretation you are unfamiliar with and ignorant of. After all these matters, they said that only he can be guided whom Allah grants the ability to be guided, because granting the ability to be guided is in the power of Allah, and He alone knows who is worthy of guidance.
Muhammad bin Sirin (RA):
❀ Muhammad bin Sirin (RA) says:
“Whoever adopts innovation (bid’ah) will never return to the Sunnah.”
Saeed bin Jubair (RA):
❀ Saeed bin Jubair (RA) says:
“My son staying in the company of a clever sinner who follows the Sunnah is far better for me than him staying in the company of a worshipper who is an innovator (bid’ati).”
Hassan bin Atiyah (RA):
❀ Hazrat Hassan bin Atiyah (RA) says:
﴿ما ابتدع قوم بدعة فى دينهم إلا نزع من ستتهم مثلها .﴾
“Whenever a people introduce an innovation in religion, a Sunnah similar to it is removed from among them.”
Abu Idris al-Khulani (RA):
❀ Abu Idris al-Khulani (RA) said:
“If I see a fire burning in the mosque which I cannot extinguish, it is better for me than to see an innovation in the mosque which I cannot remove.”
Buqlabah (RA):
❀ Abu Qulabah (RA) says:
“Do not associate with the people of innovation nor argue with them, for there is a danger that they may lead you into their misguidance or cause you to harbor doubts and suspicions.”
❀ Abu Qilabah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Indeed, the innovators are misguided, and I believe that they will go to Hell.”
Condemnation of Innovation in the Statements of the Imams
The Imams and scholars have also expressed condemnation of innovation. The following statements and fatwas of the Imams indicate this.
Imam Malik ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
Imam Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
“Whoever introduces an innovation in Islam and thinks that this innovation is good, then certainly this person holds the belief that Muhammad ﷺ was negligent in conveying Allah’s message:
(العیاذ باللہ) And if you want proof, then read the words of Allah Almighty:
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا﴾
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.”
❀ Then Imam Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
We present this narration, which is authentically transmitted from Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), as evidence that it is not permissible for any Muslim to innovate anything in the religion, no matter how small or insignificant it may be, whether it pertains to behavior and conduct or acts of worship and beliefs. And we present this narration as evidence relying on the Quranic verse in which Allah Almighty says that He has perfected the religion, that is Islam, and completed His favor upon us.
❀ Furthermore, he said:
“And the reformation of the last people of this Ummah cannot be achieved except by the same method by which the first people of this Ummah were reformed. So whatever was not part of the religion at that time cannot become part of the religion today.”
Imam Shafi’i (RA):
❀ Imam Shafi’i (RA) said:
“My judgment regarding the people of Kalam (theologians) is that they should be beaten with a branch of a date palm, made to ride a camel and paraded through regions and tribes, and it should be announced that this is the consequence of abandoning the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and getting involved in Kalam knowledge.”
❀ Imam Shafi’i (RA) said:
“Imam Layth was lenient, but if I see the people of innovation flying in the air, I will not accept it.”
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA):
Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah Abu Abdullah Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) said:
According to us, the principles of Sunnah are:
① To adhere to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ held onto.
② To follow their leadership.
③ To abandon innovations (Bid’ah).
④ Every innovation is misguidance.
⑤ To avoid disputing and debating with the people of desires (those who follow their own whims, i.e., innovators).
⑥ To also avoid sitting with them (the innovators).
7. To avoid quarrelling, disputing, and (unnecessary) debates and discussions (arguments) in religion.
8. Sunnah, in our view, are the traces of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
9. Sunnah interprets the Holy Quran and these (Sunnahs) are proofs of the Holy Quran.
10. There is no analogy (Qiyas) in Sunnah, and examples should not be given for it, nor can it be understood by reason or desires; rather, this (Sunnah) is merely the name for abandoning the desires of the self.
11. Among these essential Sunnahs, if anyone abandons even one characteristic in such a way that he neither accepts it nor believes in it, then he is not among these (Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah).
Imam Sufyan al-Thawri (may Allah have mercy on him):
❀ Imam Sufyan al-Thawri (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
﴿البدعة أحب إلى إبليس من المعصية، لان المعصية يتاب منها ، والبدعة لا يتاب منها﴾
“Shaitan (Satan) loves innovation (Bid’ah) more than disobedience and sin because one repents from sin and disobedience, but from innovation, most often one does not repent.”
❀ Sufyan al-Thawri (may Allah have mercy on him) further says:
“Leave the wrong thing; if you do so, you will not be on the truth. Follow the Sunnah and stay away from innovations. I believe the correct approach is to follow the footsteps of the predecessors.”
❀ Imam adh-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“Most of the predecessors feared innovations so much because they thought hearts are weak and doubts enter them quickly.”
Ahmad bin Sinan al-Wasiti (may Allah have mercy on him):
Imam Ahmad bin Sinan al-Wasiti (died 259 AH) says:
“Whoever is an innovator in this world holds enmity against Ahl al-Hadith, and when a person becomes an innovator, the sweetness of Hadith leaves his heart.”
Qadi Abu Ya’la (may Allah have mercy on him):
❀ Qadi Abu Ya’la (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
There is consensus among the Companions and the Tabi’in on boycotting the people of innovation and cutting off relations with them.
Imam al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him):
❀ Imam al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“The Beloved Prophet ﷺ had already foretold the division of the Ummah, therefore, the boycott of the people of innovation and the people of desires will continue until they repent.”
Abul Fazl al-Hamdaniؒ:
❀ Sheikh Abul Fazl al-Hamdani said:
“The people of innovation are more harmful to Islam than the atheists because atheists want to corrupt the religion from external sources, whereas the people of innovation want to corrupt the religion internally. Their example is like the people of a city who want to spoil the conditions of the city, and the atheists are like those who come from outside to support them, so the people of the city open the fortress and the city gate (so that the external helpers can also enter). Therefore, this group is more dangerous for Islam because they are internal enemies (they are snakes in the sleeve).”
Abdullah bin Mubarakؒ:
❀ Imam Abdullah bin Mubarakؒ says:
“As mentioned in the hadith, one of the signs of the Day of Judgment is that knowledge will be sought from the lesser ones (اصاغر). It is stated that in this hadith, the lesser ones refer to the people of innovation (Ahl al-Bid’ah).”
Yahya ibn Abi Kathir (رضي الله عنه):
❀ Yahya ibn Abi Kathir (رضي الله عنه) says:
“When you encounter an innovator (Biddati) in any place, take another path.”
Imam Awza’i (رضي الله عنه):
❀ Imam Awza’i (رضي الله عنه) says:
“Do not make excessive efforts to argue or debate with an innovator, lest trials arise in your hearts.”
Imam Yahya ibn Sa’id al-Qattan (رضي الله عنه):
❀ Imam Yahya ibn Sa’id al-Qattan (رضي الله عنه) states:
﴿ليس فى الدنيا مبتدع إلا يبغض أهل الحديث .﴾
“There is no innovator in the world who does not harbor enmity towards the people of Hadith.”
Imam Abu Muhammad Hasan ibn Ali al-Bar Bahari (رضي الله عنه):
❀ Imam al-Bar Bahari (رضي الله عنه) says:
﴿وهم أهل السنة والجماعة ، فمن لم يأخذ عنهم فقد ضل وابتدع ، وكل بدعة ضلالة ، والضلالة وأهلها فى النار .﴾
“The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) are the true Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. Whoever does not seek guidance from them in matters of religion has gone astray. He has innovated a bid’ah (innovation), and every bid’ah is misguidance, and both misguidance and the misguided are destined for Hell.”
Allama Bar Bahari (RA) states elsewhere:
﴿واحذر صغار المحدثات من الأمور، فإن صغير البدع يعود حتى يصير كبيرا .﴾
“Avoid even small innovations because small innovations eventually grow into large ones.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RA):
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir (RA) writes:
“According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, every statement and action that is not proven from the Companions is an innovation (bid’ah). Therefore, if there was any goodness in later statements or actions, the Companions would have preceded everyone in it and hastened to perform it, because they did not leave any good quality without showing great eagerness and promptness in doing it.”
Al-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA):
Al-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) reveals the following sign of an innovator (mubtadi):
﴿فعلامة لأهل البدعة الوقيعة فى أهل الأثر .﴾
“A sign of the innovators is that they insult the Ahl al-Hadith.”
Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him):
❀ Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“The habit of the people of innovation is that they do not rely on the Book and Sunnah and the reports of the Companions and the Successors, but rather their trust and reliance is on reason and Arabic linguistics. They do not trust such books of Tafsir that consist of Ahadith and reports of the Companions and Tafsir bil-Ma’thur, rather instead they rely on books of literature and books of Kalam written by their elders. This method is that of the atheists and irreligious people who take the words of books of philosophy, Kalam, and linguistics, but they do not even pay attention to the books of Ahadith and reports of the Companions, not even to the Qur’an. These people deviate and turn away even from the texts of the Prophets (peace be upon them), and in their view, these texts are (useless) and do not even provide the benefit of knowledge.”
Allama Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him):
❀ Allama Ibn Qayyim wrote:
“The devil’s cunning also lies in having made the masses so accustomed to a particular religious dress, a specific appearance, a uniform manner of conduct, and adherence to a designated sheikh and a fixed religion that people have adopted it as a religious duty. They consider stepping outside this defined circle equivalent to leaving the religion. Those who wish to leave or do leave this narrow religious circle are branded as heretics and irreligious. This is the condition of the followers of sects and disciples of Sufis, who consider their circles as a circle descended from the heavens and regard those outside the Naqshbandi, Suhrawardi, Shadhili, Tijani, or Qadiri circles as outside the circle of truth. These people have adopted a few imaginary and fabricated customs and traditions in the name of Shariah and Tariqah as religion, which have no connection whatsoever with religious realities or the Book and Sunnah. Those who seek the way of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and confront these superstitions will clearly see, as clear as daylight, that there is a difference as vast as earth and sky, black and white, indeed night and day, between the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ and the fabricated customs of the people of innovation and misguidance.”
Imam Shatibi (RA):
❀ Imam Shatibi (RA) says:
It is as clear as daylight that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not pass away until he had explained all those religious and worldly matters on which a servant might be dependent. And it is a fact that none among Ahl al-Sunnah opposes this. If we accept the matter as the innovators say, it would mean that they are implicitly or explicitly stating that the Shariah is not complete, rather there remain some things in the Shariah whose knowledge is obligatory or recommended. Because if their belief was that the Shariah is complete, perfect, and complete in every respect, they would neither innovate in the religion nor strive for every kind of addition. Whoever says this has gone astray from the straight path.”
