The Proof for “Bid‘ah Ḥasanah”? The Ḥadīth on Innovating in Religion
Compiled by: Tohed.com
The Clear Stance of Ahl al-Sunnah
The position of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah regarding bid‘ah is explicit: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared every newly introduced matter in religion to be misguidance.
Yet, groups such as the Barelwis attempt to justify bid‘ah by citing certain narrations and reinterpreting them to divide innovations into two types — “good” and “bad.” This article examines one of their most common arguments and refutes it in light of Qur’an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the Salaf.
The Barelwi Argument Summarized
They cite the ḥadīth:
“Whoever introduces into our religion that which is not from it, it is rejected.”
Their claim:
- This ḥadīth specifies the general ḥadīth “Every bid‘ah is misguidance.”
- According to them, the wording “that which is not from it” implies that there are two types of new practices:
① Those against religion — rejected (bid‘ah ḍalālah).
② Those in line with religion and supported by evidences — accepted, and called “sunnah ḥasanah.”
Refutation of This Argument
❀ ① Clarification through another narration
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
«من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد»
(Muslim: 1718)
“Whoever performs an action not upon our command, it is rejected.”This clarifies that any act not established upon the Prophet’s ﷺ way is invalid — whether in its origin, form, method, or manner.
❀ ② Understanding of the Salaf
The Salaf defined bid‘ah as any act that appears religious but has no precedent from the Prophet ﷺ.
They even considered acts to be bid‘ah when the origin was legislated but the form was newly invented. Examples:
- Restricting certain adhkār or duʿāʾ to specific times/places without proof.
- Performing worship in a congregational manner not practiced by the Prophet ﷺ.
Thus, bid‘ah covers both additions in essence and innovations in manner.
❀ ③ Linguistic/grammatical precision
In the phrase «ليس عليه أمرنا»:
- “ليس” is negating,
- “عليه أمرنا” specifies conformity to the Prophet’s ﷺ command.
Meaning: “Any act not established upon the Prophet’s ﷺ way is rejected.” This includes any newly introduced practice, even if it outwardly seems good.
Conclusion
The Barelwi claim of dividing bid‘ah into ḥasanah and sayyiʾah is against Qur’an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the Salaf.
The Prophet ﷺ’s words are decisive:
«كل بدعة ضلالة»
(Nasā’ī: 1578)
“Every innovation is misguidance.”This general statement allows no exceptions. Islam was already completed in the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, as Allah ﷻ declared:
﴿ٱلۡیَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِینَكُمۡ﴾
(al-Mā’idah: 3)
“This day I have perfected for you your religion.”Final Word
The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah is that every innovation in religion is rejected, regardless of how it appears. The statement of the Prophet ﷺ — “Every bid‘ah is misguidance” — encompasses all new practices, leaving no room for “bid‘ah ḥasanah.”
Last edited by a moderator:
