Literal Definition of Bid’ah (Innovation):
Allama Majd al-Din Yaqub bin Muhammad Firozabadi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
«بدعة بالكسر: الحدث فى الدين بعد الأكمال أو ما استحدث بعد النبى من الأهواء والأعمال»
“Bid’ah: with a kasra under the letter Bā: something that is introduced after the completion of the religion, or something that is created after the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the form of desires and actions.”
Allama Muhammad bin Abi Bakr al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
«لبدعة: الحديث فى الدين بعد الإكمال»
“Bid’ah: is to introduce something new into the religion after its completion.”
Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
The root word is “Bada’a,” which means to create something without any previous example. And from this is Allah’s statement: ﴿بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ﴾ “Who created the heavens and the earth without any precedent.”
❀ And Allah’s statement:
﴿قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ﴾
“Say: I am not the first of the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me.”
Similarly, when it is said: «ابتدع فلان بدعة», it means “He started a way which no one preceded him to.”
From the explanations of these lexicographers, it is understood that the meaning of bid’ah is to create something for which there is no prior example or precedent.
Technical Definition of Bid’ah:
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, states that ﴿بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ﴾ means that Allah Almighty created the heavens and the earth without any prior example or model, and this is the linguistic requirement. Because in language, every new thing is called Bid’ah, and there are two types of Bid’ah:
(1) Religious Bid’ah:
As the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Every new thing is a Bid’ah, and every Bid’ah is misguidance.”
(2) Linguistic Bid’ah:
Just as Amir al-Mu’minin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said regarding people gathering to perform Taraweeh prayers, “What a good innovation this is.”
Imam Abdul Rahman bin Shabab, known as Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him), says:
«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»
“By innovation (bid’ah) is meant that newly introduced thing for which there is no basis in the Shariah that indicates it. However, whatever has a basis in the Shariah that indicates it is not a Shariah innovation even if it is an innovation linguistically.”
Maulvi Abdul Ghani Khan Hanafi writes in his book “Al-Jannah li Ahl al-Sunnah,” p. 161, referring to “Al-Bahr al-Ra’iq” and “Dur Mukhtar” of Hanafi fiqh:
“An innovation (bid’ah) is that which is invented against a right that was taken from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Knowledge, action, or state, and based on some doubt it is considered good and made part of the upright religion and the straight path.”
From the explanations of these Imams and Hanafi scholars, it is understood that every new act which is considered as rewardable worship and included in the religion is an innovation (bid’ah).
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 commandments for the sake of the insignificant worldly gains and made people believe that the altered words were the words of Allah. Due to their actions, they unjustly oppressed people in two ways: they changed their religion and also unlawfully consumed their wealth:
1: ﴿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 wretched is that for which they sold themselves— to write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price. Wretched is the exchange for which they sold themselves.”
Shaykh 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 altered 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 for those Jews who did not possess knowledge of the Torah but only had some baseless desires, and now it also includes those who do not ponder over the Quran but merely recite its letters, those who write something contrary to the Quran for worldly gains and spread it among people claiming it to be the Shariah and religion of Allah, and those who conceal the Quran and Sunnah so that their opponents cannot use the truth against them.
And in Surah Al-An’am, Allah Almighty says:
2: ﴿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, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: “In this verse, the word ‘sabil’ (path) is singular for Islam, and ‘subul’ (paths) is plural for other religions and sects. This is because the truth is one, and the imitative religions and sects are many and varied.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, under the verse)
Ibn Atiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says that the word “subul” includes Judaism, Christianity, Magianism, and all other circles, innovations, and misguidances created by people of desires and whims, as well as all theological sects that unnecessarily delve into details.
Imam Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him) says: Know that the path is only one, and the group of the guided are on it, and their end is Paradise, while Satan has created various paths which are groups of the misguided, and their end is Hell.
This verse is evidence that the unity of the Muslim Ummah can only exist if they abandon all sects and religions and follow only the true Islam, which is solely the Quran and Hadith. Without this, the unity of Muslims is impossible, as Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said that this Ummah can be reformed at any time only by following the path adopted by the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
3: Innovation (Bid’ah) is synonymous with fabricating lies against Allah and the Messenger (peace be upon him). The fabricator can never succeed, and his abode is Hell. Allah Almighty says:
﴿قُلْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ﴾
“Say, ‘Indeed, those who invent falsehood against Allah will not succeed.'”
4: When a command is issued by Allah and His Messenger in any matter, no believing man or woman has the option to oppose it or act upon their own or someone else’s opinion, because doing so is outright disobedience to Allah and His Messenger and clear misguidance. Allah says:
﴿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 is no room for a believing man or woman to have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly gone far astray.”
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes that this ruling mentioned in the verse includes all matters; that is, whenever Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) issue a command, no one is permitted to oppose it, nor does anyone’s opinion or statement hold any weight, as Allah Almighty says in Surah An-Nisa, verse (65):
5: ﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا﴾
“By your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, under the verse)
6: Innovating in religion is equivalent to legislating a new law. This is condemned in the Quranic verse where Allah’s wrath and anger against the polytheists is declared:
﴿أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾
“Have they partners who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.”
The commentators write that this verse strongly denies associating partners with Allah and declares Allah’s wrath and anger against the polytheists. Therefore, it is said that if the decision had not been deferred to the Day of Judgment, they would have been immediately destroyed in this world, and such wrongdoers will face painful punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
7: Allah Almighty sent the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the true religion of Islam, which clearly distinguishes between truth and falsehood. Whoever ignores this and fabricates lies against Allah is the greatest oppressor, as was the case with the polytheists who attributed sons and partners to Allah, made His forbidden things lawful and His lawful things forbidden, and said that if Allah had not willed, they would not have worshipped idols.
﴿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 about Allah untruth while he is being invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
Condemnation of Innovation in the Light of the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ:
Innovation (Bid’ah) is the opposite of Sunnah; innovation is equivalent to adding to the religion, which has been strictly prohibited in the Quran and Sunnah in very strong words. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
1: «إذا حدثتكم حديثا فلا تزيدن عليه»
Ahmad Shakir has declared it authentic.
“When I convey something to you, do not add anything to it.”
2: «عن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنهما قال: قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: إذا أتيت مطجعك فتوضأ وضوءك للصلاة ثم أضطجع على شقك الأيمن، ثم قل: اللهم أسلمت وجهي إليك، وفوضت أمرى إليك، وألجأت ظهري إليك، رغبة ورهبة إليك، لا ملجأ ولا منجى منك إلا إليك اللهم آمنت بكتابك الذى أنزلت، ونبيك الذئ أرسلت. فإن مت من ليلتك، فأنت على الفطرة، واجعلهن آخر ما تكلم به. قال: فرددتها على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فلما بلغت: اللهم آمنت بكتابك الذى أنزلت قلت: ورسولك، قال: لا ، ونبيك الذى أرسلت»
It is narrated from Bara’ bin Azib رضي الله عنه that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said to me: When you go to your sleeping place, first perform ablution like the ablution for prayer, then lie on your right side and recite this supplication: O Allah! In eagerness for Your reward and fearing Your punishment, I entrust myself to You and take You as my refuge; there is no refuge except with You. O Allah! I believe in this Book which You have revealed and in this Prophet whom You have sent. Now if You cause me to die this night, then let me die upon the natural disposition of Islam. Then recite these supplicatory words after finishing all other matters. Sayyiduna Bara رضي الله عنه says that I repeated these words in front of you, and when I reached: «آمنت بكتابك الذى انزلت» then I said «ورسولك», but you said: No, rather say «ونبيك الذى ارسلت».
3: «عن العر باض بن سارية، قال: وعظنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما بعد صلاة الغداة موعظة بليغة ذرفت منها العيون ووجلت منها القلوب، فقال رجل: إن هذه موعظة مودع فماذا تعهد إلينا يا رسول 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»
Sayyiduna Arabadh bin Sariyah رضي الله عنه says: One day after the morning prayer, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم gave us such an impactful sermon that tears flowed from the eyes and hearts trembled. Someone said: This is a farewell advice. Then what do you command us? The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: I advise you to fear Allah, obey the commands, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. So those of you who live will see great discord in 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.
Hafiz Ibn Rajab رحمه الله explained this statement of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم «فان كل بدعة ضلالة» in his book “Jami’ al-‘Ulum wal-Hikam,” stating that this is one of those comprehensive statements from which nothing is excluded. It is a great principle in the fundamentals of faith and is similar to the Prophet’s saying «من أحدث فى أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهورة». Therefore, whoever invents any new innovation and attributes it to religion without any original basis in religion, 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.
It is narrated from Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
«من أحدث فى أمرنا هذا ما ليس فيه فهورد»
“Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not part of it, it is rejected.”
In Sahih Muslim, this hadith is narrated with these words:
«من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهورة»
“Whoever does an action which is not commanded by us, it is rejected.”
And Imam Al-Baghawi رحمه الله narrated it as:
«من أحدث فى ديننا ما ليس منه فهورد»
Meaning, in this hadith, «امرنا» is explained by «ديننا». The command refers to religion; whoever introduces something new in religion is rejected.
According to this explanation, worldly inventions are excluded from the definition of religious innovation, 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 innovation is rejected only if it is a new invention in religion and is considered an act of worship intended for nearness to Allah. This is also mentioned by Imam Ibn Rajab Hanbali رحمه الله under hadith number 176/15 in “Jami’ al-‘Ulum wal-Hikam.”
The innovator is cursed by Allah and His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
4: The Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
«لعن الله من أحدث فى الإسلام حدثا»
“May Allah curse the one who introduces a new matter into Islam.”
5: In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
«من أحدث فيها حدثا أو أوى فيها محدثا فعليه لعنة الله والملائكة والناس أجمعين، لا يقبل منه صرف ولا عدل»
“Whoever introduces an innovation in this ‘Medina’ or gives shelter to an innovator in it, then the curse of Allah, His angels, and all people is upon him. Neither obligatory nor voluntary worship will be accepted from him.”
6: It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“Medina is sacred in such a way that its trees should neither be cut nor should any innovation be introduced in it. Whoever introduces an innovation in it, may Allah, His angels, and all mankind curse him.”
The repentance of an innovator is also not accepted. It is narrated from Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“Indeed, Allah has prevented repentance from every innovator.”
This hadith is narrated by Imam Tabarani in Al-Awsat.
Condemnation of Innovation in the Light of the Practices of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them:
The Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, loved the Sunnah and intensely hated innovation. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, taught them this.
(1) Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him:
Allama Ibn Sa’d, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned in his chain of narration that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“O people! I am a follower of the Sunnah, not an innovator, so if I am correct, help me, and if I deviate, correct me.”
(2) Sayyiduna Umar Farooq, may Allah be pleased with him:
Sayyiduna Umar Farooq, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“Beware of the people of opinion (innovators) because they are enemies of the Sunnah. When they could not memorize the hadiths, they began to say whatever they wished (whatever came to their mind), they themselves went astray and led others astray.”
(3) Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtadha, may Allah be pleased with him:
It is narrated from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “May Allah curse the person who sacrifices for anyone other than Allah, and may His curse be upon the person who steals the boundaries of the land, and may Allah curse the person who curses his father, and may Allah’s curse also be upon the person who gives refuge to an innovator (bid’ati).”
Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtaza (may Allah be pleased with him) said in Madinah Munawwarah about the person who introduces innovations 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 this Madinah introduces a new matter or gives refuge to an innovator, upon him is the curse of Allah, the angels, and all mankind, and neither his obligatory nor voluntary acts of worship will be accepted.”
(4) Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
«من أحدث فى أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهورد»
“Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not part of it, it is rejected and unacceptable.”
The words of another narration are as follows:
«من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهورد»
“Whoever does something for which there is no command from us, it is rejected.”
Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) explains this hadith by saying: This hadith is a great principle of Islam and one of the comprehensive sayings of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). It is explicit in refuting 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 himself. 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.
(5) Our Master Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him:
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood رضي الله عنه said:
«اتبعوا ولا تبتدعوا فقد كفيتم»
“Follow the Sunnah, do not innovate; what you have is sufficient for you, meaning you do not need anything else.”
Umar bin Yahya narrates from his father that we were sitting at the door of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood رضي الله عنه before the morning prayer when he came out and we all went with him to the mosque. At that moment, Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari رضي الله عنه 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 just saw something in the mosque that displeased me greatly, and Alhamdulillah, I only saw good. He asked what it was. He replied, “If I live, you will see.” He said: I saw some people sitting in circles in the mosque, waiting for the prayer. In each circle, there was one man, and they had pebbles in their hands. When he said, “Say «الله اكبر» one hundred times,” everyone said «الله اكبر» one hundred times; and when he said, “Say «لا إله إلا الله» one hundred times,” they said «لا إله إلا الله» one hundred times; and when he said, “Say «سبحان الله» one hundred times,” they said «سبحان الله» 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, and 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 رضي الله عنه said: “You people should count your own sins; I guarantee you 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 Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم have not yet worn out, nor have his utensils broken.”
By the One in Whose hand is my soul! Are you on a path better than the path of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, or are you opening the doors of misguidance? They said, “By Allah! O Abdur Rahman, our intention is only for good.” He said: “Many seekers of good never attain it. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم 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.
Umar bin Salmah says: “We saw him on the day of Nahrawan fighting with the Kharijites with spears against us.”
Allama Marwazi رحمه الله narrates the saying of Sayyiduna Ibn Masood and Abi Ibn Ka’b رضي الله عنهما:
«الاقتصاد فى السنة خير من الاجتهاد فى البدعة»
“Acting a little according to the Sunnah is better than acting more while following innovation.”
(6) Our Master Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both:
It is narrated from Hazrat Nafi, may Allah have mercy on him:
«ان 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 ما علمنا أن تقول الحمد لله على كل حال»
Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has graded it as Hasan.
“A person sitting under the armpit of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, sneezed, upon which he said الحمد لله والسلام على رسول الله. Then Sayyiduna Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: I also say الحمد لله والسلام على رسول الله, but the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, did not teach us this way; rather, he taught us that when we sneeze, we should say الحمد لله.”
The statement of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, is:
كل بدعة ضلال وان رآها الناس حسنة
“Every innovation is misguidance even if people consider it good.”
(7) Our Master Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both:
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما says:
“No year will pass over the people in which they do not innovate some bid’ah (innovation) and kill some Sunnah. Until innovations remain alive and lasting, and Sunnahs continue to die out.”
Uthman bin Hazir رحمه الله says that I went to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما and asked for advice, so he advised me to hold firmly to piety of Allah, to remain steadfast, to follow, and to stay away from innovations.
The exalted command of Allah Almighty: ﴿يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ﴾
“On the Day when some faces will be white and some faces will be black.” In its tafsir, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما says:
“This means the faces of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama’ah will be white, and the faces of the people of bid’ah and division will be black.”
Someone has rightly said:
خير الأمور السافلات على الهدى
وشر الأمور المحدثات البدائع
“The best deeds are those done while following the path of guidance, and the worst deeds are those which are new and unprecedented.”
Sayyiduna Yazid bin Umairah was among the companions of Sayyiduna Mu’adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه. It was the habit of Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه that whenever he sat in a gathering of remembrance, he would say: Allah is Wise and Just, and those who doubt are destroyed. One day Sayyiduna Mu’adh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه said: After you, many trials will appear, one of which is the trial of abundance of wealth, and the Qur’an will be opened so that it will be seen by the believer and the hypocrite, man and woman, young and old, slave and free. It is near that one will say: What has happened to the people that they do not follow me although I have recited the Qur’an? Those people will never, ever follow him, except that whoever else innovates bid’ah for them (they will follow that). You should avoid the bid’ah that he fabricates, for surely what he has innovated is misguidance. And Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه said: I warn you against the misguidance of the wise, because sometimes Satan causes the tongue of a wise man to utter words of misguidance, and sometimes a hypocrite speaks the truth. (Yazid says) I asked Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه: May Allah have mercy on you, please help me understand how a wise man can say words of misguidance and a hypocrite can say words of truth? Sayyiduna Mu’adh رضي الله عنه replied: Why not! Beware of the speech of the wise, and whoever is said about in this way, “What is this?” he will not separate that misguidance from the truth for you, and it is also possible that he may retract his ruling or accept the truth when he hears it. Surely the truth is luminous and radiant.
Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has declared it “Sahih al-Isnad”.
(8) Our Master Anas, may Allah be pleased with him:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه:
جاء ثلاثه رهط إلى بيوت أزواج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يسألون عن عبادة النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فلما أخبروا كأنهم تقالوها فقالوا: وأين نحن من النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قد غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه وما تأخر قال أحدهم: أما أنا فإني أصلى الليل أبدا، وقال آخر: أنا أصوم الدهر ولا أفطر، وقال آخر: أنا أعتزل النساء فلا أتزوج أبدا فجاء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إليهم، فقال: أنتم الذين قلتم كذا وكذا ، أما والله! إني لأخشاكم لله وأتقاكم له ، لكني أصوم وأفطر ، وأصلي وأرقد، وأتزوج النساء فمن رغب عن سنتي فليس مني
Three men came to the Pure Wives and inquired about the worship of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. When they were informed about it, they belittled it and said: What relation do we have with our Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم? Allah has forgiven all your past and future sins. One of them said: I will pray all night, another said: I will always fast during the day, and the third said: I will stay away from women and never marry (meaning he will always be engaged in worship). Suddenly, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم 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 voluntarily and sometimes I do not, I pray at night and I also sleep, and I marry women. So whoever objects to my Sunnah is not from me.”
(9) Ghadeef bin Harith, may Allah be pleased with him:
Ghadeef bin Harith, may Allah be pleased with him, says that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: When a people introduce an innovation (bid’ah), a Sunnah is taken away from them.
(10) Ibrahim bin Maisarah, may Allah be pleased with him:
Ibrahim bin Maisarah, may Allah be pleased with him, says that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever honors the innovator (sahib bid’ah) has assisted in demolishing the structure of Islam.
Condemnation of Bid’ah in the Light of the Statements of the Imams and Scholars:
The Imams and scholars have also expressed condemnation of bid’ah. The statements and fatwas of the Imams given below indicate this.
(1) Imam Malik bin Anas, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) has quoted Imam Dar al-Hijrah in his renowned book “Al-I’tisam”:
Whoever introduces any innovation (bid’ah) in Islam and thinks that this innovation is good, then certainly this person holds the belief that Muhammad (peace be upon him) betrayed the responsibility of conveying Allah’s message: (may Allah protect us from this) 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.”
He further said:
“And the reformation of the last people of this Ummah cannot be achieved except by the same way through 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.”
Then Imam Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) says: “We present this narration, which is authentically established from Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) from Imam Dar al-Hijrah with a sound chain of transmission, as evidence that it is not permissible for any Muslim to innovate any bid’ah in the religion, no matter how small or insignificant it may be, whether in behavior and conduct or in acts of worship and beliefs. And we present this narration as evidence relying on the verse of the Holy Quran in which Allah Almighty says that He has perfected our religion, Islam, and completed His favor upon us.”
The virtuous Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan (may Allah preserve him) in his book “Bid’ah” quotes Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) saying that a man came to Imam Malik bin Anas (may Allah have mercy on him) and asked, “From where should I assume Ihram?” He replied, “From the Miqat that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) designated.” The man said, “What if I assume Ihram from a place farther away?” Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “I do not consider that good.” The man asked, “What do you dislike about that?” He said, “I fear you will fall into fitnah (trial).” The man said, “Can there be fitnah in seeking good?” Imam Malik replied that Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾
“So let those beware who oppose the Messenger’s command lest a trial afflict them or a painful punishment befall them in the Hereafter.”
(2) Imam Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, stated: “My judgment regarding the theologians (Ahl al-Kalam) is that they should be beaten with a branch of a date palm, made to ride a camel and paraded through regions and tribes, with the announcement that this is the consequence of abandoning the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and engaging in theological discourse.”
(3) Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “The principles of the Sunnah, according to us, are to adhere to the creed and methodology of the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to avoid innovations because every innovation is misguidance, to stay away from disputes and unnecessary debates, and to avoid companionship with the people of innovation, as well as to avoid disagreement, fighting, and argumentation in religion.”
Furthermore, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
أصول السنة عندنا التمسك بما كان عليه أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم والاقتداء بهم وترك البدع وكل بدعة ضلالة
“The principle of the Sunnah for us is to adhere to the way of the noble Companions and to follow them, and to abandon innovation because every innovation is misguidance.”
(4) Imam Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Sufyan Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
البدعة أحب إلى إبليس من المعصية لان المعصية يتاب منها، والبدعة لايتاب منها
“Satan loves innovation (bid’ah) more than disobedience and sin because one repents from sin and disobedience, but often does not repent from innovation.”
The Islamic historian Allama Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, quoted Sufyan Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, saying: “Whoever deliberately listens attentively to an innovator has gone out of Allah’s protection and has handed himself over to his own self.”
Another saying of Sufyan Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, is written: “Whoever hears about an innovation should not inform his companions about it, nor should he draw their attention towards it.”
Then Imam Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
“Most of the predecessors warn so much because they believe hearts are weak and doubts enter them quickly.”
(5) Our Master Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him:
Sayyiduna Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote a letter to a man:
سلام عليك … “Peace and safety be upon you.” After that, I advise you to adhere to the religion of Allah and to suffice with following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and to avoid what the later generations have fabricated. The Sunnah has already been established, and enduring hardship for it is sufficient. Then let this also be firmly fixed in your mind that whenever an innovation (bid’ah) appears, the Sunnah disappears before it, because the Sunnah is that which was followed by those who knew that anything contrary or opposed to it is misguidance, error, ignorance, foolishness, and stupidity. Be content with that upon which 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 those matters must have been fabricated by 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, so that is blame, deficiency, and disrespect. Some went beyond them, which will be a cause of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection, and some diminished them, so they could not remain on the Straight Path, and some turned away from them, so they committed excess (ghuluww).
Despite that, if you say, “Where then will such and such a verse go? And why did Allah say such and such?” Indeed, they also recited what you recited and knew their interpretation, whose explanation and interpretation you are unfamiliar with and ignorant of. After all these matters, they said, “Only he can be rightly guided whom Allah grants the ability of guidance, for granting the ability of guidance is in the power of Allah, and He alone knows who is worthy of guidance.”
(6) Hassan bin Atiyah, may Allah have mercy on him:
The noble follower, Hazrat Hassan bin Atiyah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
ما ابتدع قوم بدعنى دينهم إلا نزع من سنتهم مثلها
“Whenever a people introduce an innovation in religion, a Sunnah similar to it is taken from among them.”
(7) 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 the world harbors enmity towards the Ahl al-Hadith, and when a person becomes an innovator, the sweetness of Hadith leaves his heart.”
(8) Abu al-Fadl al-Hamdani, may Allah have mercy on him:
Sheikh Abu al-Fadl al-Hamdani said:
“The group of innovators is more harmful to Islam than the atheists because atheists want to corrupt the religion from external sources, whereas the group of innovators wants to corrupt the religion internally. Their example is like the people of a city who want to spoil the city’s conditions, and the atheists are like those who come from outside to support them. So, the people of the fort and the city open the gates (so that external helpers can also enter). Therefore, this group is more dangerous for Islam because they are internal enemies (they are snakes in the sleeve).”
(9) Imam Abu Muhammad Hasan bin Ali al-Bar Bahari, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Bar Bahari, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
وهم أهل السنة والجماعة، فمن لم يأخذ عنهم فقد ضل وابتدع، وكل بدعي ضلالة، والضلالة و أهلها فى النار
“The Companions of the Prophet are the people of the Sunnah and the Jama’ah. Whoever does not take guidance from them in matters of religion has gone astray, has innovated a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance, and both misguidance and the misguided are destined for Hellfire.”
Allama Bar Bahari, may Allah have mercy on him, further states that you should know that whenever people innovate bid’ah, as a result, they abandon a Sunnah similar to it. So avoid fabricated matters because every new thing is fabricated and a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance, and whoever commits misguidance will go to Hellfire.
Allama Bar Bahari, may Allah have mercy on him, says elsewhere:
واحذر صغار المحدثات من الأمور فإن صغير البدع يعود حتى بصير كبيرا
“Avoid even small bid’ahs because small bid’ahs eventually grow into big ones.”
Imam Bar Bahari, may Allah have mercy on him, further states:
“Similarly, every bid’ah that arises within this Ummah was initially small and resembled the truth. Whoever entered it was deceived by it, then he did not have the courage to leave that bid’ah. Then it grew and became a separate religion which he adopted, thus opposing the Straight Path.”
(10) 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 adhere to 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 rely on such books of Tafsir that consist of Ahadith and reports of the Companions and Tafsir bil-Ma’thur, but instead their reliance is on books of literature and books of Kalam written by their elders. This method is that of the disbelievers and irreligious people who take the sayings of books of philosophy, Kalam, and lexicography, 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.”
(11) Allama Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him:
Allama Ibn al-Qayyim wrote: “One of the tricks of Satan is that he has made the masses so accustomed to a single religious dress, a single form, a single type of behavior, and adherence to a specific sheikh and a specific religion that people have adopted it as a religious obligation. They consider leaving this defined circle equivalent to leaving the religion, and those who want to leave or do leave this narrow religious circle are labeled as heretics and irreligious. This is like the followers of the madhahib and the disciples of the Sufis, who consider their orders as a circle descended from the heavens and regard those outside the Naqshbandi, Suhrawardi, Shadhili, Tijani, or Qadiri orders 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 the religious realities and the Book and Sunnah. Those who seek the way of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 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, peace be upon him, and the fabricated customs of the people of innovation and misguidance.”
Allama Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, further states:
“The intended and desired purpose of the Shariah is that burning, destroying, and eliminating those books filled with lies and innovations is more virtuous than breaking musical instruments and wine vessels, because their harm is greater. Just as there is no expiation or compensation for breaking musical instruments or wine vessels, similarly, there is no expiation or compensation for destroying such books.”
(12) Imam Shatibi, may Allah have mercy on him:
Imam Shatibi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
“It is (as clear as daylight) established that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, did not die until he had explained all those religious and worldly matters upon which a servant might be dependent. It is agreed upon that among the Ahl al-Sunnah, there is no one who opposes this. If one accepts the matter otherwise, as the innovators say, then it is as if they are expressing by their words or clearly stating that the Shariah is not complete. Rather, they believe that there are some things left in the Shariah whose knowledge is obligatory or recommended. For if their belief were that the Shariah is complete, perfect, and complete in every respect, they would neither innovate in the religion nor strive for any kind of addition. Whoever says this has gone astray from the straight path.”
Allama Shatibi further states:
“These are opponents and enemies of the Shariah because Allah, the Lord of Glory, has prescribed specific demands and ways for the servant for particular reasons. Allah has bound the creation through commands and prohibitions, through promises (of Paradise) and warnings (of punishment), and then clarified that good lies therein and evil lies in going beyond it towards others. For Allah, the Possessor of Majesty and Honor, knows while we do not know. And Allah sent His Messenger, peace be upon him, as a mercy to all worlds. Yet the innovators reject all these matters and think that besides these, there are other paths to goodness here.”
(13) Virtue of Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him:
His virtue Sheikh states in his book “Bid’ah”:
✿ Some innovations are explicitly disbelief, such as circumambulating graves to seek nearness to the owner of the grave, offering sacrifices and vows at them, asking them for needs, and seeking their intercession.
✿ And some innovations are means of polytheism, such as building structures over graves, praying there, and asking for supplications.
✿ And some innovations are sins and disobedience, such as abstaining from marriage, the innovation of fasting while standing in the sun, and the innovation of castration for the purpose of ending sexual desire.
(14) Sheikh Nasiruddin Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him:
Allama Nasiruddin al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, clarifying the reality and detestation of innovation (Bid’ah), writes:
1: Every statement, action, and belief that opposes or contradicts the Sunnah.
2: Every act done to attain closeness to Allah while the Shariah has prohibited it.
3: Every belief for which there is no Shariah evidence.
4: Every act of worship whose manner is found only in a weak or fabricated narration.
5: Every act of worship that the Shariah has left unrestricted, but people have imposed restrictions on it, such as time, place, form, or number.
6: Every act that can only be established by Shariah evidence but lacks such evidence; however, the actions of the Companions are exempt from this.
7: Some scholars, especially the later ones, have declared certain acts recommended without evidence.
8: Excessiveness in worship.
Ruling on association with the people of innovation:
Mixing and associating with innovators leads to misguidance. Therefore, Allah Almighty has said:
﴿وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ﴾
“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah.”
Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, states in his book “Bid’ah”:
Visiting and associating with innovators is forbidden, except if the purpose is to advise them and to disapprove of their actions. This is because associating with an innovator leaves a very bad effect on the one who meets them, whose evils also affect others. When one does not have the power to prevent or restrain them from innovation, it is necessary to fear them and their evils. If possible, it is obligatory for Muslim scholars and their rulers to restrain them, prevent them from their evils, and stop them from innovations because the dangers they pose to Islam are very severe.
It is also necessary to know that disbelieving countries encourage innovators in spreading and promoting innovations and help them in various ways because they see this as the end of Islam and aim to corrupt others’ views. We ask Allah Almighty to support His religion, raise His word, and disgrace the enemies.
Imam Ismaili quotes the statement of the pious predecessors:
ويرون أهل الحديث مجانية البدعة والآثام وترك الغيبة إلا لمن أظهر بدعة وهو يدع إليها فالقول فيها ليس بعيبة عندهم
“They used to avoid sin and backbiting, but they would talk about a person whose innovation was clear and who also invited to that innovation. Talking about such a person (in his absence) is not considered backbiting by the people of the Sunnah.”
Imam Al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
“Indeed, the Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, foretold the division of this Ummah into sects and the emergence of desires and innovations among them, and he declared salvation for the group that follows the way of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. It is obligatory for a Muslim that when a person adopts innovations and desires as a belief and acts upon them, or does something that weakens the Sunnah, to dissociate from him, express disavowal and alienation, and leave him in both life and death (i.e., not share in his happiness or sorrow). Whenever meeting him, not even greet him, and if he greets first, do not respond until he abandons that innovation and returns to the truth. Imam Al-Baghawi replied that refraining from talking for more than three days is forbidden when it negatively affects love and social relations, but when it concerns religion and is for the sake of religion, then it is not a sin. Rather, communication with those who follow desires should be cut off until they repent.”
Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said that in the past, the people of the Sunnah were a minority, and in the future, they will remain a minority. They are those who neither joined the arrogant in arrogance nor the innovators in innovation but remained patient upon the Sunnah until they met their Lord. You should also be like them.
Imam Fudail bin Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him (died 187 AH), said:
“Indeed, the angels of Allah keep searching for circles of remembrance, so see with whom you sit and associate. Do not sit with innovators because they do not look upon them with mercy, and a sign of hypocrisy is that a person sits with innovators.”
Qadi Fudail bin Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, further said:
“I would rather eat food at the house of a Jew or Christian than eat at the house of an innovator because when I eat at the house of Jews and Christians, people will not follow me in that, but when I eat at the house of an innovator, people will follow me in that. I want there to be an iron fortress (or barrier) between me and the innovator. Acting a little according to the Sunnah is better than many deeds of the innovator. Whoever sits with an innovator to frighten him towards Allah, this is correct; otherwise, one should fear that he may also fall under punishment. Do not inform the innovator about your religion and do not consult him in your affairs.”
Ibn Muflih Hanbali, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“During the reign of Al-Mutawakkil, he sent a man to Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, to ask for a fatwa whether to employ Christians or innovators and followers of desires for government work. Imam Ahmad replied that employing Christians is better than employing innovators. When Al-Mutawakkil’s messenger left, those sitting with Imam Ahmad asked him about this. The Imam said: Jews and Christians are humiliated and disgraced, and their evil is clear, but the people of innovation distort the religion of others and hide the correct religion from them.”
Doubts of the Innovators and Their Refutation:
The innovators present certain doubts to strengthen their fabricated innovations, or rather to prove them as part of the religion. It is extremely necessary to refute these doubts so that the simple-minded public can be protected from the malice of these wicked people.
First Misconception and Doubt:
Innovation is a good Sunnah, and the one who initiates it is rewarded. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jarir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
من سن فى الإسلام سنة حسنة فعمل بها بعده كتب له مثل أجر من عمل بها ولا ينقص من أجورهم شيء و من سن فى الإسلام سنة سيئة فعمل بها بعده كتب عليه مثل وزر من عمل بها ولا ينقص من أوزارهم شي
“Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will have its reward and the reward of those who follow it after him, without diminishing their rewards in the slightest. And whoever introduces a bad practice in Islam will bear its sin and the sin of those who follow it after him, without diminishing their sins in the slightest.”
Answer: Islam is both complete and preserved. If someone adopts the method of the Qur’an and Sunnah or revives a neglected Sunnah, this hadith is glad tidings for them. And whoever adopts a bad practice or innovation in Islam, there is a warning for them.
Secondly, this is a part of the hadith; studying the complete hadith shows that seeing the poverty of the tribe of Mudhar, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم encouraged the Companions رضي الله عنهم to give charity. The Companions gave so much charity that first an Ansari Companion brought a bag which tired his hands, then one after another, two heaps of grain and clothes were collected. Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was very pleased and at that time he uttered this blessed hadith. Therefore, using this hadith as evidence for inventing innovations is nothing but ignorance and unfamiliarity with Islamic Shariah.
Second Misconception and Doubt:
The division of innovation into good (Bid’ah Hasanah) and bad (Bid’ah Sayyi’ah) and furthermore, the gathering of people behind one Imam for Taraweeh by Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and declaring Taraweeh behind separate Imams as Bid’ah Hasanah is evidence that there is such a thing as good innovation, and the condemnation is only for bad innovation, not good.
Answer: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) leading Taraweeh prayers in congregation in the mosque is proven by authentic hadiths. Therefore, calling it an innovation is based on ignorance.
And if Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) gathered people behind one Imam, then that is also commendable and practical. He did not introduce any innovation in Shariah; rather, praying in congregation was established by the Sunnah. He revived this Sunnah so that instead of many congregations in the mosque, there would be one congregation, and this was the Sunnah method. The blessed statement of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is:
عليكم بستني وستة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين
“Hold firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of my rightly guided Caliphs.”
Therefore, the order of Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) to perform Taraweeh in congregation and the consensus of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is a proof for us.
Some people are deceived by the statement of Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) نعمت البدعة هذه, thinking it is a good matter. However, how can an act be an innovation if its ruling is present in the Quran and Sunnah? The words of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) were linguistic, not in the legal sense of innovation, because in Shariah, only bad innovation exists. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say in every sermon:
وكل يد عي ضلالة
“Every innovation is misguidance.”
And Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
وكل بدعة ضلالة وإن رآها الناس حسنة
“Every innovation is misguidance, even if people consider it good.”
In light of this effect, dividing innovation into bad and good is not entirely correct.
Third Misconception and Doubt:
Innovators want to promote innovation by calling the compilation of the Quran in one Mushaf a good innovation (Bid’ah Hasanah).
Answer: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded:
لا تكتبوا عني غير القرآن
“Do not write anything from me except the Quran.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered to follow the method of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, therefore they compiled the Quran in book form, and there is consensus of all the Companions on this. It is obligatory upon us to follow the consensus of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Therefore, declaring the compilation of the Quran as an innovation is not correct in any way, nor should one dare to use this as evidence to introduce new innovations and superstitions in Islam.
