Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
I live in a community where most people are Barelvis or Ḥanafīs, including my own family. A few days ago, my brother passed away. In our home, a gathering (majlis) for Īṣāl al-Thawāb was organized, during which Qur’ān Khwānī is being held, and litanies on prayer beads like Kalimah Ṭayyibah and Āyat Karīmah are being recited. I opposed this practice, but was told that no one in our society has ever objected to it. When my mother insisted strongly, they agreed to reconsider—but only if a detailed explanation could prove that this practice should be abandoned.
The described form of Īṣāl al-Thawāb—i.e., organizing fixed gatherings for Qur’ān recitation, litanies on prayer beads, and designated sittings—is an innovation (bid‘ah) for which there is no evidence in Sharī‘ah. And any practice without Shar‘ī evidence is considered a bid‘ah.
Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ strongly condemned the introduction of new acts in the religion. He said:
"وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الأُمُورِ، فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ"
"Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is a bid‘ah, and every bid‘ah is misguidance."
— Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Sunnah, Ḥadīth No. 4607
The Prophet ﷺ declared such innovations invalid and rejected:
"مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِى أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ"
"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that which is not part of it, it is to be rejected."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth No. 1718
He also used to say in his sermons:
"فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ، وَخَيْرَ الْهُدَى هُدَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَشَرُّ الأُمُورِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَكُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ"
"Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad ﷺ. The worst of affairs are newly invented ones, and every bid‘ah is misguidance."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Jumu‘ah, Ḥadīth No. 867
Alas, in our times, a flood of innovations and superstitions has overwhelmed the Ummah. Every new day brings a fresh trial, and every passing year promotes new innovations. The Muslim Ummah is so entangled in these practices that it has forgotten the Sunnah and the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Today, innovation has replaced religion, superstitions have replaced worship, and violations of Allah and His Messenger’s commands are mistaken for acts of devotion. Worse yet, these innovations are cloaked in garments of virtue. If someone stands up to uncover these corrupt practices, they are labeled as regressive, extreme, or backward.
❖ Question
I live in a community where most people are Barelvis or Ḥanafīs, including my own family. A few days ago, my brother passed away. In our home, a gathering (majlis) for Īṣāl al-Thawāb was organized, during which Qur’ān Khwānī is being held, and litanies on prayer beads like Kalimah Ṭayyibah and Āyat Karīmah are being recited. I opposed this practice, but was told that no one in our society has ever objected to it. When my mother insisted strongly, they agreed to reconsider—but only if a detailed explanation could prove that this practice should be abandoned.
❖ Answer
The described form of Īṣāl al-Thawāb—i.e., organizing fixed gatherings for Qur’ān recitation, litanies on prayer beads, and designated sittings—is an innovation (bid‘ah) for which there is no evidence in Sharī‘ah. And any practice without Shar‘ī evidence is considered a bid‘ah.
Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ strongly condemned the introduction of new acts in the religion. He said:
"وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الأُمُورِ، فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ"
"Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is a bid‘ah, and every bid‘ah is misguidance."
— Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Sunnah, Ḥadīth No. 4607
The Prophet ﷺ declared such innovations invalid and rejected:
"مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِى أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ"
"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that which is not part of it, it is to be rejected."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth No. 1718
He also used to say in his sermons:
"فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ، وَخَيْرَ الْهُدَى هُدَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَشَرُّ الأُمُورِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَكُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ"
"Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad ﷺ. The worst of affairs are newly invented ones, and every bid‘ah is misguidance."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Jumu‘ah, Ḥadīth No. 867
❖ A Lamentation of the Current Condition
Alas, in our times, a flood of innovations and superstitions has overwhelmed the Ummah. Every new day brings a fresh trial, and every passing year promotes new innovations. The Muslim Ummah is so entangled in these practices that it has forgotten the Sunnah and the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Today, innovation has replaced religion, superstitions have replaced worship, and violations of Allah and His Messenger’s commands are mistaken for acts of devotion. Worse yet, these innovations are cloaked in garments of virtue. If someone stands up to uncover these corrupt practices, they are labeled as regressive, extreme, or backward.
