Compiled by: Toheed.com
Some people declare bid‘ah (innovation) to be permissible by citing general Qur’anic and Hadith texts, such as:
They argue that since these texts encourage all forms of good deeds, new innovations in religion also fall under “good deeds” and are therefore praiseworthy.
“Because the Qur’an and Hadith encourage doing good, increasing acts of virtue, and because reward is based on intentions, we can invent new forms of worship. These will fall under the ruling of bid‘ah hasanah (good innovation).”
Imam al-Shatibi (رحمه الله) said:
«لو كان دليلاً عليه؛ لم يعزب عن فهم الصحابة والتابعين ثم يفهمه هؤلاء… فما عمل به المتأخرون من هذا القسم مخالف لإجماع الأولين، وكل من خالف الإجماع فهو مخطئ.»
(al-I‘tisam 2/655)
Translation:
“If these general evidences were proof for bid‘ah, they would not have remained hidden from the understanding of the Sahabah and Tabi‘in. The later people’s actions of this kind contradict the consensus of the early ones, and whoever opposes consensus is mistaken.”
Meaning: If Qur’an and Sunnah allowed new acts of worship through general evidences, the Sahabah would have been the first to understand and practice them—but they did not.
A man once sneezed in front of Abdullah bin Umar (RA) and said: “Alhamdulillah was-salatu ‘ala Rasulillah.”
Ibn Umar (RA) immediately stopped him and said:
«وأنا أقول: الحمد لله، والصلاة على رسول الله، وليس هكذا علمنا رسول الله ﷺ.»
(al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2738)
Translation:
“I also say Alhamdulillah was-salatu ‘ala Rasulillah, but this is not how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us.”
Despite the general verse ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ﴾ (al-Ahzab: 56), Ibn Umar (RA) rejected the new practice because it was not in line with the Prophet’s ﷺ teaching.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلاً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1718)
Translation:
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our way, it is rejected.”
This shows that even if done with good intention, any action not part of the religion is invalid.
If general texts were used to permit every new practice, each person would invent his own acts of worship. But the foundation of religion is that worship is restricted to what the Prophet ﷺ taught.
Imam al-Awza‘i (رحمه الله) said:
«اصبر نفسك على السنة، وقف حيث وقف القوم، وقل بما قالوا، وكف عما كفوا عنه، واسلك سبيل سلفك الصالح، فإنه يسعك ما وسعهم.»
(Ibn Battah, al-Ibanah al-Kubra 1/305)
Translation:
“Hold firmly to the Sunnah. Stop where the Sahabah stopped. Say what they said. Refrain from what they refrained from. Follow the way of your righteous predecessors. What was sufficient for them will be sufficient for you.”
✔ General texts of Qur’an and Hadith (like “Do good deeds” or “Race towards good”) do not justify new forms of worship.
✔ If they did, the Sahabah would have been the first to innovate—but they always opposed innovations.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ declared that any deed not in accordance with his way is rejected.
✔ Only those acts of worship proven from the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahabah are valid. Everything else is bid‘ah and misguidance.
✿ The Argument Presented
Some people declare bid‘ah (innovation) to be permissible by citing general Qur’anic and Hadith texts, such as:
- ﴿وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾ (al-Hajj: 77)
- ﴿وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ﴾ (Aal ‘Imran: 133)
- «إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ» (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1)
They argue that since these texts encourage all forms of good deeds, new innovations in religion also fall under “good deeds” and are therefore praiseworthy.
✿ The Barelvi Claim on Bid‘ah Hasanah
“Because the Qur’an and Hadith encourage doing good, increasing acts of virtue, and because reward is based on intentions, we can invent new forms of worship. These will fall under the ruling of bid‘ah hasanah (good innovation).”
✿ Response to This Doubt
➊ General texts must be understood with the understanding of the Salaf
Imam al-Shatibi (رحمه الله) said:
«لو كان دليلاً عليه؛ لم يعزب عن فهم الصحابة والتابعين ثم يفهمه هؤلاء… فما عمل به المتأخرون من هذا القسم مخالف لإجماع الأولين، وكل من خالف الإجماع فهو مخطئ.»
(al-I‘tisam 2/655)
Translation:
“If these general evidences were proof for bid‘ah, they would not have remained hidden from the understanding of the Sahabah and Tabi‘in. The later people’s actions of this kind contradict the consensus of the early ones, and whoever opposes consensus is mistaken.”
Meaning: If Qur’an and Sunnah allowed new acts of worship through general evidences, the Sahabah would have been the first to understand and practice them—but they did not.➋ The Practice of the Sahabah
A man once sneezed in front of Abdullah bin Umar (RA) and said: “Alhamdulillah was-salatu ‘ala Rasulillah.”
Ibn Umar (RA) immediately stopped him and said:
«وأنا أقول: الحمد لله، والصلاة على رسول الله، وليس هكذا علمنا رسول الله ﷺ.»
(al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2738)
Translation:
“I also say Alhamdulillah was-salatu ‘ala Rasulillah, but this is not how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us.”
Despite the general verse ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ﴾ (al-Ahzab: 56), Ibn Umar (RA) rejected the new practice because it was not in line with the Prophet’s ﷺ teaching.➌ The Clear Principle of the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلاً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1718)
Translation:
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our way, it is rejected.”
This shows that even if done with good intention, any action not part of the religion is invalid.➍ The Danger of Considering Innovations as Good Deeds
If general texts were used to permit every new practice, each person would invent his own acts of worship. But the foundation of religion is that worship is restricted to what the Prophet ﷺ taught.
Imam al-Awza‘i (رحمه الله) said:
«اصبر نفسك على السنة، وقف حيث وقف القوم، وقل بما قالوا، وكف عما كفوا عنه، واسلك سبيل سلفك الصالح، فإنه يسعك ما وسعهم.»
(Ibn Battah, al-Ibanah al-Kubra 1/305)
Translation:
“Hold firmly to the Sunnah. Stop where the Sahabah stopped. Say what they said. Refrain from what they refrained from. Follow the way of your righteous predecessors. What was sufficient for them will be sufficient for you.”
✿ Conclusion
✔ General texts of Qur’an and Hadith (like “Do good deeds” or “Race towards good”) do not justify new forms of worship.
✔ If they did, the Sahabah would have been the first to innovate—but they always opposed innovations.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ declared that any deed not in accordance with his way is rejected.
✔ Only those acts of worship proven from the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahabah are valid. Everything else is bid‘ah and misguidance.
