Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, vol. 1, p. 270
What is Bidʿah?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Before explaining Bidʿah, it is necessary to define Sunnah, because Sunnah relates to actions, while Bidʿah relates to abandonment. Action is preferred over abandonment. Moreover, when Sunnah is explained, the reality of Bidʿah also becomes clear.
Linguistic Meaning
In Arabic, Sunnah refers to a well-trodden path that can be followed. Its plural is Sunan.
Sharʿī Meaning
In Sharīʿah, Sunnah refers to any practice that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, by Allah’s command, made legislated for his Ummah, so that they may adopt noble etiquettes and virtuous deeds and attain perfection and felicity through good works.
◄ If the Prophet ﷺ declared a deed obligatory and commanded adherence, it becomes a Sunnah Wājibah, whose neglect harms a Muslim.
◄ If he did not command it but practiced it himself, it becomes a Sunnah Mustaḥabbah, whose performance brings reward but whose omission carries no punishment.
◄ The Prophet ﷺ established Sunnahs through his words, actions, and tacit approval.
◄ If he performed an act and commanded adherence, it became Sunnah for the Ummah.
▪ Example: He fasted continuously without breaking (wiṣāl), but since this was specific to him, it did not become Sunnah for the Ummah.
◄ If he saw or heard something and did not forbid it, it became Taqrīrī Sunnah.
▪ But if it was not repeated, it is not Sunnah, since Sunnah requires repetition.
▪ Example: A woman vowed to beat a drum at the Prophet’s ﷺ grave upon his safe return from travel. He did not prohibit it, but since it was not repeated, it did not become Sunnah.
◄ If he repeatedly performed a deed, it became Sunnah for all Muslims.
▪ Example: Facing the people after completing obligatory prayers.
◄ If the Companions repeatedly did something in his presence and he did not object, it became Sunnah.
▪ Example: Walking in front of or behind the funeral procession.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((عَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ بَعْدِي عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ))
(Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd – authenticated)
“Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Cling to them firmly with your molar teeth.”
Bidʿah is the opposite of Sunnah. It comes from ibtidāʿ al-shayʾ, meaning to introduce something new without precedent.
Sharʿī definition:
Bidʿah is any belief, practice, or act of worship that Allah did not legislate in His Book, nor did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribe through his words or actions.
In simple terms:
“Every belief, word, or act done with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah, but which has no origin in the time of the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions, is Bidʿah—even if labeled as an act of piety or obedience.”
◄ Belief that saints form a hidden government that runs people’s affairs.
◄ Calling upon them with phrases like “Yā Rijāl al-Dīwān” or “Yā Ahl al-Taṣrīf”.
◄ Believing that saints in their graves fulfill needs and remove hardships.
◄ Claiming that saints, alive or dead, know the unseen and see the Preserved Tablet.
◄ Sacrifices, festivals (ʿUrs), and musical gatherings at graves.
These are major Shirk and not present in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, Companions, or the best generations.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((خَیْرُ الْقُرُوْنِ قَرْنِیْ ثُمَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَلُوْنَھُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِینَ یَلُوْنَھُم)) (Muttafaq ʿalayh)
“The best of generations is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.”
◄ Supplicating to Allah by mentioning the “rank” or “status” of someone as a means.
◄ This is so exalted by its followers that anyone denying it is labeled outside the faith or an enemy of saints. Yet, it did not exist in the era of the Prophet ﷺ or the Salaf.
◄ Another example: chanting “Hū, Hū” or “Allāh Hū” loudly in Sufi gatherings until they lose themselves.
▪ At times, such states lead them to utter blasphemous statements or even kill one another.
◄ Singing and using drums in qawwālī sessions.
These verbal innovations were introduced by enemies of Islam to divert Muslims from beneficial deeds into futile activities.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Question
What is Bidʿah?
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Before explaining Bidʿah, it is necessary to define Sunnah, because Sunnah relates to actions, while Bidʿah relates to abandonment. Action is preferred over abandonment. Moreover, when Sunnah is explained, the reality of Bidʿah also becomes clear.
Definition of Sunnah
Linguistic Meaning
In Arabic, Sunnah refers to a well-trodden path that can be followed. Its plural is Sunan.
Sharʿī Meaning
In Sharīʿah, Sunnah refers to any practice that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, by Allah’s command, made legislated for his Ummah, so that they may adopt noble etiquettes and virtuous deeds and attain perfection and felicity through good works.
◄ If the Prophet ﷺ declared a deed obligatory and commanded adherence, it becomes a Sunnah Wājibah, whose neglect harms a Muslim.
◄ If he did not command it but practiced it himself, it becomes a Sunnah Mustaḥabbah, whose performance brings reward but whose omission carries no punishment.
Modes of Sunnah
◄ The Prophet ﷺ established Sunnahs through his words, actions, and tacit approval.
◄ If he performed an act and commanded adherence, it became Sunnah for the Ummah.
▪ Example: He fasted continuously without breaking (wiṣāl), but since this was specific to him, it did not become Sunnah for the Ummah.
◄ If he saw or heard something and did not forbid it, it became Taqrīrī Sunnah.
▪ But if it was not repeated, it is not Sunnah, since Sunnah requires repetition.
▪ Example: A woman vowed to beat a drum at the Prophet’s ﷺ grave upon his safe return from travel. He did not prohibit it, but since it was not repeated, it did not become Sunnah.
◄ If he repeatedly performed a deed, it became Sunnah for all Muslims.
▪ Example: Facing the people after completing obligatory prayers.
◄ If the Companions repeatedly did something in his presence and he did not object, it became Sunnah.
▪ Example: Walking in front of or behind the funeral procession.
Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((عَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ بَعْدِي عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ))
(Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd – authenticated)
“Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Cling to them firmly with your molar teeth.”
Definition of Bidʿah
Bidʿah is the opposite of Sunnah. It comes from ibtidāʿ al-shayʾ, meaning to introduce something new without precedent.
Sharʿī definition:
Bidʿah is any belief, practice, or act of worship that Allah did not legislate in His Book, nor did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribe through his words or actions.
In simple terms:
“Every belief, word, or act done with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah, but which has no origin in the time of the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions, is Bidʿah—even if labeled as an act of piety or obedience.”
Types and Examples of Bidʿah
① Iʿtiqādī (Doctrinal) Bidʿah
◄ Belief that saints form a hidden government that runs people’s affairs.
◄ Calling upon them with phrases like “Yā Rijāl al-Dīwān” or “Yā Ahl al-Taṣrīf”.
◄ Believing that saints in their graves fulfill needs and remove hardships.
◄ Claiming that saints, alive or dead, know the unseen and see the Preserved Tablet.
◄ Sacrifices, festivals (ʿUrs), and musical gatherings at graves.
These are major Shirk and not present in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, Companions, or the best generations.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((خَیْرُ الْقُرُوْنِ قَرْنِیْ ثُمَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَلُوْنَھُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِینَ یَلُوْنَھُم)) (Muttafaq ʿalayh)
“The best of generations is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.”
② Qawlī (Verbal) Bidʿah
◄ Supplicating to Allah by mentioning the “rank” or “status” of someone as a means.
◄ This is so exalted by its followers that anyone denying it is labeled outside the faith or an enemy of saints. Yet, it did not exist in the era of the Prophet ﷺ or the Salaf.
◄ Another example: chanting “Hū, Hū” or “Allāh Hū” loudly in Sufi gatherings until they lose themselves.
▪ At times, such states lead them to utter blasphemous statements or even kill one another.
◄ Singing and using drums in qawwālī sessions.
These verbal innovations were introduced by enemies of Islam to divert Muslims from beneficial deeds into futile activities.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)
