Derived from: Fatawa ‘Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
When we say something not proven from the Prophet ﷺ is incorrect, this does not refer to worldly items such as clocks, bicycles, or cars. These are part of daily life and by default, their usage is permissible. Their absence may cause significant hardship.
However, what is actually meant by "incorrect things" are innovations (Bid‘ah) in religion — that is, actions introduced into the religion as acts of worship or reward without any basis in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"كُلُّ بَدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَكُلُّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِي النَّارِ"
(Narrated by al-Nasa’i: 1560)
"Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire."
And:
"مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ"
(Sahih Muslim: 1718)
"Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (i.e., religion), it will be rejected."
These two Hadiths are the foundation regarding innovations. Scholars have laid down definitions and principles based on them. Combining these with other narrations makes the matter easier to understand.
Dr. Muhammad Husayn Jizani حفظه الله explains that the purified Sunnah provides detailed guidance on Bid‘ah:
‘Irbad ibn Sariyah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood: 4067)
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to say in his sermons:
“The truest speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ, and the worst affairs are newly invented matters; every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i: 3/188)
① Invention (Iḥdāth):
The action must be something newly introduced.
Evidence: “Whoever introduces something new...” and “كل محدثة بدعة”.
② Religious Intention:
The action is introduced with the intent of gaining closeness to Allah or being part of religion.
③ Absence of Evidence:
There is no specific or general evidence for the act in the religion.
When these three conditions are present, the act becomes an innovation.
However, if something worldly is integrated into religious practice with the intent of it being a religious act without evidence, it becomes a Bid‘ah.
“Whoever invents something and attributes it to religion without any basis in it, it is misguidance.”
(Jāmi‘ al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam: 2/128)
Ibn Hajar رحمه الله explained the Prophet’s statement:
“A Bid‘ah is a newly invented matter for which there is no basis in Shari‘ah.”
(Fath al-Bari: 13/254)
"Introducing a new act into the religion of Allah that has no specific or general basis in Shari‘ah."
❖ Question
You say that anything not established from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is wrong. In our present time, what is the ruling on things like clocks, bicycles, cars, etc.? Are these all impermissible? If so, provide evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith.Clarification
Dear brother,When we say something not proven from the Prophet ﷺ is incorrect, this does not refer to worldly items such as clocks, bicycles, or cars. These are part of daily life and by default, their usage is permissible. Their absence may cause significant hardship.
However, what is actually meant by "incorrect things" are innovations (Bid‘ah) in religion — that is, actions introduced into the religion as acts of worship or reward without any basis in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Definition and Condemnation of Bid‘ah
Bid‘ah refers to religious actions or rituals added with the intention of earning reward, without evidence from the Prophet ﷺ.The Prophet ﷺ said:
"كُلُّ بَدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَكُلُّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِي النَّارِ"
(Narrated by al-Nasa’i: 1560)
"Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire."
And:
"مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ"
(Sahih Muslim: 1718)
"Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (i.e., religion), it will be rejected."
These two Hadiths are the foundation regarding innovations. Scholars have laid down definitions and principles based on them. Combining these with other narrations makes the matter easier to understand.
Dr. Muhammad Husayn Jizani حفظه الله explains that the purified Sunnah provides detailed guidance on Bid‘ah:
‘Irbad ibn Sariyah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood: 4067)
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to say in his sermons:
“The truest speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ, and the worst affairs are newly invented matters; every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i: 3/188)
Principles for Identifying a Religious Innovation (Bid‘ah)
A matter is not considered a Bid‘ah unless it meets the following three conditions:① Invention (Iḥdāth):
The action must be something newly introduced.
Evidence: “Whoever introduces something new...” and “كل محدثة بدعة”.
② Religious Intention:
The action is introduced with the intent of gaining closeness to Allah or being part of religion.
③ Absence of Evidence:
There is no specific or general evidence for the act in the religion.
When these three conditions are present, the act becomes an innovation.
Modern Inventions Are Not Bid‘ah
Worldly items like clocks, bicycles, and cars are not considered Bid‘ah because:- They have no religious intent.
- They are not introduced as acts of worship.
- They do not interfere with or alter Islamic rituals or doctrines.
However, if something worldly is integrated into religious practice with the intent of it being a religious act without evidence, it becomes a Bid‘ah.
Scholarly Views
Ibn Rajab رحمه الله stated:“Whoever invents something and attributes it to religion without any basis in it, it is misguidance.”
(Jāmi‘ al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam: 2/128)
Ibn Hajar رحمه الله explained the Prophet’s statement:
“A Bid‘ah is a newly invented matter for which there is no basis in Shari‘ah.”
(Fath al-Bari: 13/254)
Comprehensive Definition of Bid‘ah
Based on the above principles, Bid‘ah is defined as:"Introducing a new act into the religion of Allah that has no specific or general basis in Shari‘ah."
