Bid’ah
– Innovations
Muhammad Sajid Aga
“A bidah is anything that has no basis in the Qur’an,
Sunnah or sayings of the companions”
-
Imam Ash-Shaafi.
Linguistically, Bidah means a
newly invented matter. In Islamic
terminology, Bidah are those beliefs and actions that are not supported by any
authentic proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Bidah are innovations in the
religion intended to seek nearness to Allah and His reward through
self-proclaimed means.
Following are guidelines that
will help recognize innovations:
1.
Act of worship based on a fabricated Hadith:
Many people perform acts of
worship acquired from fabricated hadith. It is the responsibility of every
Muslim to study ahadith and confirm their authenticity before implementing them.
The Prophet (s.a.w) specifically warned us against innovations because acts of
worship derived from fabricated ahadith are not acceptable to Allah. He (s.a.w)
said, “He who innovates something in this religion of ours that is not in it,
will be rejected.” – Bukhari and Muslim. Moreover, innovations stray from the revealed
path of the Deen and cause deviations. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “You must keep
to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs, cling to it
firmly…beware of newly invented matters, for every new matter in the religion
is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance.” - Abu Dawood , at-Tirmidhi.
2.
Act of worship the
Prophet (s.a.w) did not perform:
Many acts of worship are
attributed to the Prophet (s.a.w), but he did not perform such as celebrating
his birthday (mawlid), reciting and completing the Qur’an in a group (Qur’an
Khani) during special occasions like moving into a new home or commemorating
the deceased after forty days of their death (chaaleeswan). These acts of
worship are performed to seek reward from Allah. However, they were not
advocated by the Prophet (s.a.w) or performed by him, although there were no
preventing factors. With respect to religious matters, we must follow the
distinguished example of the Prophet (s.a.w) because he (s.a.w) was divinely
guided by Allah. Allah only rewards those acts which the Prophet (s.a.w) did.
Allah says, “nor does he speak from [his own]
inclination. It is not but a revelation
revealed.” – Surah an-Najm, 53:3-4. Furthermore, Allah has praised the
Prophet (s.a.w) and He wants us to follow his example (s.a.w). “There has
certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for
anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah
often.” – Surah Ahzab, 33:21.
3.
Habitual acts not from Qur’an and
Sunnah:
These are acts of worship we have learned
through our parents and ancestors but they are not instituted in the Qur’an or
Sunnah. They are a practises and customs of our culture but not our religion. For
example, kissing the thumbs when the Prophet’s name (s.a.w) is mentioned or kissing
the thumbs when Ashhadu annaMuhammad arRasool Allah is proclaimed during the
Adhaan. These acts should be avoided because they are Bid’ah and hence there is
no reward in performing them. Allah says, “And whatever the Messenger has given
you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah ;
indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” – Surah al Hashr, 59:7. Moreover, Allah
commands, “So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest
fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” – Surah Nur, 24:63
4.
Performing prohibited acts with
intentions to please Allah:
Ironically,
some prohibited acts are implemented with the intention of pleasing Allah. For
example, nasheed artists sing about Allah using musical instruments, sometimes
even in concerts where men and women are sitting together, without following
proper etiquettes of modesty. Musical instruments are prohibited in Islam. The
Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk,
alcohol and musical instruments…” - Narrated by al-Bukhaari ta’leeqan, no.
5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah
al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91.
Conclusively,
Bid’ah are acts of worship not founded upon the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is very
important to perform worship correctly because the crux of our religion is
worship and the purpose of our existence is worship. Allah says,
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to
worship Me.” – Surah adh Dhariyat, 51:56
Allah created the human beings to
worship Him. Allah commanded us to perform all acts of worship in exactly the
same manner as the Prophet (s.a.w) did them.
Following are some guidelines on
worship:
1.
The act of worship should agree with a Sharee’ah1
reasoning. For example, it is part of our
Islamic faith to love the Prophet (s.a.w).
Anas (r.a) narrated, the Prophet (s.a.w) said, “No one of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father,
his son, his own self and all the people.” – Bukhari and Muslim. However, celebrating
al-Mawlid (birthday of the Prophet s.a.w) out of love for him is considered a
bid’ah, because it was never legislated in the Qur’an by Allah as an act or
worship or performed by the Prophet (s.a.w) in his lifetime. Allah says, “O you
who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority
among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the
Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best
[way] and best in result.” – Surah an-Nisa’, 4:59.
-----------------------------------------------
1 “Shari’ah is
the sum total of Islamic which were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)
and which are recorded in the Qur’an, as well as deducible from the Prophet’s
(s.a.w) divinely guided lifestyle called the Sunnah” – Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal
Philips, The Evolution of Fiqh (Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing
House, 2006) 16.
2.
The act of worship should agree with the Sharee’ah in its
category. For example, Hajj is an act of
worship and sacrificing a goat or camel on the third day of Hajj is also an act
of worship. Allah commands us to go to Hajj. “And
[due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is
able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is
free from need of the worlds.” – Surah Ale’-Imran, 3:39. Furthermore, it is
recorded in Zaa’d al Ma’aad by ibn al Qayyim that Ali (r.a) narrated that the
Prophet (s.a.w) sacrificed camels on the third day of Hajj and gave permission
to Muslims to continue sacrificing till three days after it. The best animals
to sacrifice are camels, cows, sheep and goats. Sacrificing any other
animal at Hajj like a horse or a duck will be prohibited because it does not
comply with the Sharee`àh category.
3.
The act of worship
should agree with the Sharee’ah in quantity. For
example, fasting in Ramadan is an obligatory act of worship. Allah says, ``The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was
revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and
criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.`` -
Surah al Baqarah, 2:185. However, fasting less than the month of Ramadan
or more (considering it to be obligatory) would be rejected because it does not
abide by the quantity prescribed by the Shareeàh.
4.
The act of worship should agree with the Sharee’ah in
performance. For example, performing wudu
before offering the Salah is an act of worship. Allah says, ``O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform]
prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your
heads and wash your feet to the ankles.`` - Surah al Mai`da, 5:5. For this
reason, wudu` is done in a specific sequence. Disarranging the sequence is not
acceptable because it opposes the performance order and process mandated by the
Sharee’ah.
5.
The act of worship should be performed in the exact time
stated in the Sharee’ah. For example,
Abu Hurairah (r.a) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Indeed for Salat there is a beginning and
an end. The beginning of the time for the Dhuhar prayer is when the sun
passes the zenith, and the end of its time is when the time for Asr enters. The beginning of the time
for the Asr is when its time enters,
and the end of its time is when the sun yellows (turns pale). The beginning of
the time of Maghrib is when the sun has set,
and the end of its time is when the twilight has vanished. The beginning of the
time for Isha,
the later one, is when the horizon has vanished, and the end of its time is
when the night is at its half. The beginning of the time for Fajr is when fajr (the dawn) begins, and
its end is when sun rises." -
Hadith No. 151, Chapters on Salat, Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 1. Hence, all Salah
have obligatory timings. Offering Dhuhar
Salah before the sun has reaches its zenith or after the time of Asr enters is
not permissible because it does not coincide with the time recognized by the
Sharee`ah.
6.
The act of worship should be performed at the location
legislated by the Sharee’ah. For
example, Umrah means performing Tawaf around the Ka`bah and Saì between al
Safah and al Marwah. Circling any
building other than the Ka`bah or walking between any two mountains other than
al Safah and al Marwah will not constitute as Umrah because the Sharee`ah does
not subscribe to it.
In other words, the essence of
worship is submission to Allah following the methodology and the way of the
Prophet (s.a.w). This includes worshipping Allah for the same reasons (intentions), categories,
following the same quantity and quality,
time and place used by the Prophet (s.a.w).
Importance of
following the Sunnah
The Prophet’s example should be
followed in all aspects of worship and religious observances because:
1.
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of
Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day
and [who] remembers Allah often.” – Surah Al Ahzab, 33:21
2.
“Nor does he speak
from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.” – Surah
an-Najm, 53:3-4
3.
“And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it; and
what he has forbidden you – refrain from it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is
severe in penalty.” -Surah al-Hasr,
59:7.
4.
“And We have not
sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a
warner. But most of the people do not know.” – Surah Saba, 34:28
5.
“And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the
Messenger that you may receive mercy.” – Surah an-Nur, 24:56.
6.
“…And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not
deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and
Merciful.” – Surah al Hujurat, 47:14
7.
“Say, [O Muhammad] “If you should love Allah, then follow
me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving
and Merciful.” – Surah Ale’ Imran, 3:31.
8.
“And the only statement of true believers when they are
called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them is that they say, “We
hear and we obey.” And those are the successful And whoever obeys Allah and His
Messenger and fears Allah and is conscious of Him – it is those who are the
attainersl.” –Surah an-Nur, 24:51-52
9.
“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly
attained a great attainment.” – Surah al-Ahzab, 33:71.
\
1 “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe
until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they
dispute among themselves and then find
within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full,
wiling] submission.” – Surah an-Nisa’, 4:65.
1.
Abu Hurairah (r.a) narrated the Prophet (s.a.w) said,
“Everyone from my Ummah [followers] will enter Paradise except for those who
refuse.” The companions (r.a) asked, “Who has refused [to enter Paradise]?” He
(s.a.w) said, “He who followed me will enter Paradise and he who refuses to
follow me has refused to enter Paradise.” – Bukhari.
1.
“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger – He will
admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away – He
will punish him with a painful punishment.” – Surah al Fath, 48:17.
Dangers of
Bid’ah and its effects:
1.
Bidah
precedes disbelief (kuffar)
2.
It accounts making
unfounded and false statements about Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w).
3.
It elicits insinuating
the sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w) is deficient and it lacks perfection.
4.
It elicits insinuating
that the Prophet (s.a.w) did not convey the message of Islam completely.
5.
Committers of
Bid’ah compete with the Prophet (s.a.w) in his Prophethood.
6.
Committers of
Bid’ah change the religion by adding to and subtracting from its creed and
deeds.
7.
Committers of
Bid’ah Divide the Muslim community and cause fasaad (disputes).
Muslims are impervious to
innovations. We mistake the practices and customs of our elders and society for
religion and perform acts of worship without authenticating them from the
Qur’an and Sunnah. It is our responsibility to study, collect accurate information
and refrain from Bid’ah. This is because
Allah says, “On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn
black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], “Did you
disbelieve [i.e. reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for
what you used to reject.” – Surah Ale’ Imran, 3:106 Ibn Abbas (r.a) said
regarding this verse, “The faces of the people who adhere to the Sunnah will
turn white and bright while the faces of the innovators will turn black.” Al
Qurtubi further commented, “He who innovates or changes anything of the
religion of Allah will be amongst the black faced people who will be prevented
from reaching the Prophet’s (s.a.w) fountain and therefore prohibited from
drinking from it.”
This is evidenced from Sahl ibn S’ad’s (r.a) narration about
the Prophet (s.a.w). He said, “I heard the
Prophet saying, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount (Kauthar), and
whoever will come to it, will drink from it, and whoever will drink from it,
will never become thirsty after that. There will come to me some people whom I
know and they know me, and then a barrier will be set up between me and
them."
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri added that the Prophet further said: "I
will say those people are from me. It will be said, 'You do not know what
changes and new things they did after you.' Then I will say, 'Far removed (from
mercy), far removed (from mercy), those who changed (the religion) after me!
" - Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 88, Number 174. While
those who follow the Prophet (s.a.w) will not only drink from the fountain of
Kawthar but also have the companionship of the Prophets, the Righteous, the
Truthful and the Martyrs. Allah says, “And whoever obeys Allah and the
Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour of
the Prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous.
And excellent are those as companions.” – Surah an-Nisa, 4:69
In the end, one must understand
that the religion of Islam is very easy. Its concepts and commands are very
clear and logical. Islam is open and uncomplicated. Allah says in the Qur’an, “This day I have perfected for you your religion and
completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” –
Surah Mai’da, 5:3. The perfection of Deen is that it is only sourced from the
Qur’an and Sunnah. The Qur’an and Sunnah are a complete and comprehensive
guidance after which we do not need any other authority on Islam. It is a
favour of Allah that we do not need to speculate or follow the conjecture; the
Qur’an and Sunnah are a sufficient direction for our worship, our life’s needs
and hereafter.
Bibliography:
Ibn
Rajab al Hambali, Bidah (http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Bidah.pdf )
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