Author: Allama Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (May Allah protect him)
"Beware of newly invented matters in religion" (واياكم ومحدثات الأمور)?
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي . . .
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you."
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 3]
Since Islam has been perfected, there is no need for any additions or alterations. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clarified this in his statement:
"Every innovation is misguidance."
[Reported by Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah]
Thus, any act introduced into the religion without basis in the Shari‘ah is considered a bid‘ah (innovation). Acts of worship are only valid if supported by evidence from the Qur’an or Sunnah.
Allah knows best!
Question:
What is the meaning and implication of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) statement:"Beware of newly invented matters in religion" (واياكم ومحدثات الأمور)?
Answer:
The term "محدثات" (newly invented matters) refers to innovations introduced into religion and attributed to Islamic law, even though they are not part of it. This is because Allah perfected the religion of Islam with the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Allah says in the Qur’an:الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي . . .
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you."
[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 3]
Since Islam has been perfected, there is no need for any additions or alterations. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clarified this in his statement:
"Every innovation is misguidance."
[Reported by Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah]
Thus, any act introduced into the religion without basis in the Shari‘ah is considered a bid‘ah (innovation). Acts of worship are only valid if supported by evidence from the Qur’an or Sunnah.
When Is an Act Not a Bid‘ah?
If an act has evidence in the Shari‘ah, it is not considered an innovation, even if it linguistically fits the term "bid‘ah" (new practice). For instance:- Taraweeh in Congregation:
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) described the congregation of Taraweeh as a "good innovation" (bid‘ah hasanah).
- Linguistically, it was a new practice since the Prophet (ﷺ) had refrained from making it a continuous communal act to avoid it becoming obligatory. However, it had precedence in the Prophet’s time, so it is not a religious innovation.
- The First Adhan for Jumu‘ah:
- The first adhan introduced during Uthman’s (رضي الله عنه) caliphate is rooted in the Shari‘ah because the concept of calling to prayer (adhan) is established in the Qur’an:
وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ . . .
"And when you call to prayer…" [Surah Al-Ma’idah: 58].
- The first adhan introduced during Uthman’s (رضي الله عنه) caliphate is rooted in the Shari‘ah because the concept of calling to prayer (adhan) is established in the Qur’an:
- Compiling the Qur’an into One Manuscript:
- This was not considered a bid‘ah because writing and preserving the Qur’an was already established during the Prophet’s time. After the completion of revelation, compiling it into one manuscript became necessary to fulfill Allah’s command:
فِي صُحُفٍ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ
"In honored sheets." [Surah Abasa: 13].
- This was not considered a bid‘ah because writing and preserving the Qur’an was already established during the Prophet’s time. After the completion of revelation, compiling it into one manuscript became necessary to fulfill Allah’s command:
Prohibited Bid‘ah
Any practice introduced into religion without basis in the Qur’an or Sunnah is a prohibited bid‘ah. This includes:- Innovations in Belief:
Examples include the beliefs of groups such as the Khawarij, Mu‘tazilah, Qadariyyah, Murji’ah, and Rafidah. - Innovations in Actions and Practices:
Examples include:
- Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid an-Nabi).
- Observing special worship on the night of Isra and Mi‘raj.
- Staying up on the 15th night of Sha‘ban.
- Offering Salat al-Ragha’ib.
- "Al-Ba‘ith ‘ala Inkar al-Bida‘ wal-Hawadith."
- "Al-Bida‘ wan-Nahy ‘Anha."
- "Al-I‘tisam" by Al-Shatibi, which provides a comprehensive analysis of innovations in religion.
Adhering to the Sunnah
It is obligatory for all Muslims to hold firmly to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), even if the majority neglect it, and to abandon innovations and superstitions, regardless of how widespread they are.Allah knows best!