This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri's book Aamad Mustafa ﷺ.
Condemnation of Innovation (Bid'ah)
◈ Imam Sufyan bin Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him, says in his Tafsir:
وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُفْتَرِيْنَ
كل صاحب بدعة ذليل .
"Every innovator is disgraced."
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim: 1571/5, and its chain of narration is authentic)
◈ The command of Allah Almighty is:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
"Do not make lawful or unlawful anything by your own desire; that is a lie against Allah, and those who lie against Allah will not succeed."
Reference: (Surah An-Nahl: 116)
◈ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 774 AH), says:
يدخل فى هذا كل من ابتدع بدعة ليس له فيها مستند شرعي أو حلل شيئا مما حرم الله أو حرم شيئا مما أباح الله بمجرد رأيه وتشهيهه .
"The reference of this verse is all those who introduce innovations; they have no Shariah evidence and merely declare what Allah has forbidden as lawful and what He has made lawful as forbidden, based on their own opinion and desires."
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 779/2)
◈ The command of Allah Almighty is:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ
"He it is Who has sent down to you the Book; some of its verses are precise in meaning—they are the foundation of the Book—and others are allegorical. But those with deviant hearts follow the allegorical verses seeking discord and seeking an interpretation that suits them."
Reference: (Surah Aal Imran: 7)
◈ Imam Al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 310 AH), says:
هذه الآية وإن كانت نزلت فيمن ذكرنا أنها نزلت فيه من أهل الشرك، فإنه معنى بها كل مبتدع فى دين الله بدعة، فمال قلبه إليها، تأويلا منه لبعض متشابه أى القرآن، ثم حاج به وجادل به أهل الحق، وعدل عن الواضح من أدلة آبه المحكمات إرادة منه بذلك اللبس على أهل الحق من المؤمنين، وطلبا لعلم تأويل ما تشابه عليه من ذلك كائنا من كان .
"Although this verse was revealed concerning the polytheists, its meaning extends to every innovator who introduces innovations in Allah’s religion. Then, by interpreting some allegorical verses of the Qur’an, his heart inclines towards that innovation, and he disputes with the people of truth, deviating from the clear truth found in the precise verses. His intention is to conceal the truth from the believers and to seek interpretations of the allegorical verses, whatever they may be."
Reference: (Tafsir Al-Tabari: 181/3)
◈ The command of Allah Almighty is:
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلَالَةَ بِالْهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَارَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ
"They have exchanged guidance for error, but their trade has brought them no profit, nor were they rightly guided."
Reference: (Surah Al-Baqarah: 16)
◈ Allah Almighty says:
وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَى مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنْثُورًا
"We will turn their deeds to dust scattered."
Reference: (Surah Al-Furqan: 23)
◈ The command of Allah Almighty is:
فَلَا تَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِّثْلُهُمْ
"Do not sit with them until they engage in a different talk; otherwise, you would be like them."
Reference: (Surah An-Nisa: 140)
◈ The famous mufassir, Allama Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 671 AH), writes:
إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِثْلُهُمْ فدل بهذا على وجوب اجتناب أصحاب المعاصي إذا ظهر منهم منكر ، لأن من لم يجتنبهم فقد رضي فعلهم، والرضا بالكفر كفر .
"The words of إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِثْلُهُمْ indicate that when the people of innovation are propagating their innovations, it is obligatory to avoid them. Whoever does not avoid them is pleased with their innovation, and being pleased with disbelief is also disbelief."
Reference: (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi: 418/5)
◈ The command of Allah Almighty is:
فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
"Keep away from the wrongdoers when you remember (Allah)."
Reference: (Surah Al-An'am: 68)
◈ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 774 AH), writes:
ألا يجلس مع المكذبين الذين يحرفون آيات الله ويضعونها على غير مواضعها ، فإن جلس أحد معهم ناسيا فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَىٰ بعد التذكر مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ .
"Do not sit with those who distort the Qur’anic verses or use them falsely to support their lies. If you sit with them by mistake, then keep away when you remember (Allah)."
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 278/3)
◈ Imam Abu Bakr Al-Ajuri, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 360 AH), writes:
كل من عمل عملا أو تكلم بكلام لا يوافق كتاب الله عز وجل، ولا سنة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين، وقول صحابته رضي الله عنهم فهو بدعة، وهو ضلالة، وهو مردود على قائله أو فاعله .
"Every statement and action that contradicts the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them), and the sayings of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is an innovation, misguidance, and should be struck in the face of its speaker and doer."
Reference: (Al-Arba'in Hadith: 8)
◈ Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
كان الناس يسألون رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الخير، وكنت أسأله عن الشر، مخافة أن يدركني، فقلت : يا رسول الله، إنا كنا فى جاهلية وشر، فجاء نا الله بهذا الخير، فهل بعد هذا الخير من شر؟ قال : نعم، قلت : وهل بعد ذلك الشر من خير؟ قال : نعم، وفيه دخن، قلت : وما دخنه؟ قال : قوم يهدون بغير هديي تعرف منهم وتنكر، قلت : فهل بعد ذلك الخير من شر؟ قال : نعم، دعاة على أبواب جهنم، من أجابهم إليها قذفوه فيها، قلت : يا رسول الله صفهم لنا، قال : هم من جلدتنا، ويتكلمون بألسنتنا، قلت : فما تأمرني إن أدركني ذلك؟ قال : تلزم جماعة المسلمين وإمامهم، قلت : فإن لم يكن لهم جماعة ولا إمام؟ قال : فاعتزل تلك الفرق كلها، ولو أن تعض بأصل شجرة، حتى يدركك الموت وأنت على ذلك .
"People used to ask the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about good, and I used to ask about evil, fearing that I might fall into polytheism. I said: O Messenger of Allah! We were in ignorance and evil, and Allah has granted us good; will there be any evil after that good? He said: Yes. I asked: Will there be any good after that evil? He said: Yes, but it will be weak. I asked: What will be the weakness? He said: Some people will follow my Sunnah and way, and you will find some of their actions good and some bad. I asked: Will there be evil after that? He said: Yes, there will be those who call out at the gates of Hell, and whoever goes to them will be thrown into Hell. I said: O Messenger of Allah! Will you identify them? He said: They will be from our own tribe and will speak our language. I asked: If I live to see that time, what should I do? He said: Stay with the Muslim group and their leader. I asked: If there is no group or leader? He said: Keep away from all sects, even if you have to gnaw on the roots of trees and die there."
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 7084, Sahih Muslim: 1847)
◈ Allama An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 676 AH), writes:
قال العلماء : هؤلاء من كان من الأمراء يدعو إلى بدعة أو ضلال آخر كالخوارج والقرامطة وأصحاب المحنة .
"The scholars say this refers to the leaders who call towards innovations and other misguidance, such as the Kharijites, Qaramita, and the people of trials (Mu'tazila)."
Reference: (Sharh Sahih Muslim: 320/6)
◈ Sayyidah Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من وقر صاحب بدعة فقد أعان على هدم الإسلام .
"Whoever honors an innovator has assisted in the destruction of Islam."
Reference: (Ash-Shari'ah lil-Ajuri: 2040, Tarikh Ibn Asakir: 456/26, and its chain of narration is authentic)
Abu al-Fadl Abbas bin Yusuf Shakli is "Maqubool al-Riwayah" (his narration is accepted).
Reference: (Tarikh al-Islam by Al-Dhahabi: 479/23, and in another copy: 282/7)
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من أحدث حدثا أو آوى محدثا فعليه لعنة الله والملائكة والناس أجمعين، لا يقبل منه صرف ولا عدل .
"Allah’s curse, the angels’ curse, and the curse of all mankind is upon the one who introduces an innovation or supports an innovator. None of his obligatory or voluntary acts of worship will be accepted."
Reference: (Musnad Al-Tayalisi: 299, Musnad Al-Musdadd It'haf Al-Khairah Al-Muhrah: 6850, and the wording is from Musnad Imam Ahmad: 178/2, 180, 191, 192, 194, 211, and its chain of narration is good)
This hadith was graded "Hasan" by Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1413)
, and "Sahih" by Imam Ibn Al-Jarud, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1073)
. ◈ Sayyidah Asma bint Abi Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إني على الحوض حتى أنظر من يرد على منكم، وسيؤخذ ناس دوني، فأقول : يا رب مني ومن أمتي، فيقال : هل شعرت ما عملوا بعدك، والله ما برحوا يرجعون على أعقابهم، فكان ابن أبى مليكة، يقول : اللهم إنا نعوذ بك أن نرجع على أعقابنا، أو نفتن عن ديننا .
"I will wait for you at the Pond of Kawthar and see who comes to me. Some people will be kept away from me there, and I will say: My Lord! These are my own people, these are my Ummah. Then it will be said to me: Are you aware of their deeds? By Allah! These people remained addicted to misguidance until their death."
The narrator of the hadith, Ibn Abi Mulaikah, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say: O Allah! We seek refuge in You from being addicted to misguidance or being afflicted with trials regarding our religion.
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 6593, Sahih Muslim: 2293)
◈ Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
وإني فرطكم على الحوض، وأكاثر بكم الأمم، فلا تسودوا وجهي، ألا وإني مستنقذ أناسا، ومستنقذ مني أناس ، فأقول : يا رب أصيحابي؟ فيقول : إنك لا تدري ما أحدثوا بعدك .
"Listen! I will be your predecessor at the Pond of Kawthar, and your multitude will be a cause of pride for me over other nations. Do not embarrass me on the Day of Resurrection. Listen! I will save some people from Hellfire, and some will be taken away from me and thrown into Hell. I will say: O my Lord! My companions? Allah will say: You do not know what innovations they introduced after you."
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah: 3057, its chain of narration is good, also narrated by Musaddad in his Musnad as in Misbah Al-Zujajah: 207/3, Ahmad: 412/5, Al-Nasa'i Al-Kubra: 4099, and its chain is authentic)
Allama Al-Busiri, may Allah have mercy on him, said its chain is "Sahih."
Reference: (Misbah Al-Zujajah: 207/3)
◈ Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة، رجل قتله نبي، أو قتل نبيا، وإمام ضلالة، وممثل من الممثلين .
"On the Day of Resurrection, the greatest punishment will be for these four: one whom a prophet kills, or who kills a prophet, the third is an innovator, and the fourth is an image-maker."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 497/1, and its chain is good)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
يكون فى آخر الزمان دجالون كذابون، يأتونكم من الأحاديث بما لم تسمعوا أنتم، ولا آباؤكم، فإياكم وإياهم، لا يضلونكم، ولا يفتنونكم .
"In the last times, there will appear liars and deceivers who will say things that neither you nor your forefathers have heard. Beware lest they mislead you and cause fitnah."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 7)
