Bid’ah is any act innovated for ‘Ibaadah (worship) but has no precedence or valid basis in the Qur’an, Hadiith and the agreement of the Sahaabah (companions) which would necessitate its establishment. Since this act, even when possible or even easy, was not approved or practiced by the Prophet (P.B.O.H.) and the Sahaabah, innovating such act as a form of ‘Ibaadah is Bid’ah.
What Bid’ah is not
Bid’ah does not include such acts that have basis in the Sharii’ah but were not possible at the time of the Prophet and the Sahaabah e.g. cars, airplanes and telephones. These have basis because the Prophet approved means of transportation and communication but could not possibly use modern ones since they were not yet invented. Some scholars tag this form of innovation as Good Bid’ah.
Quranic Verses on Bid’ah
“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion….” Quran 5:3
‘Say: “Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? – Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?” ‘ Quran 18:102,103
“Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous. “ Quran 5:1523
“If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge! “ Quran 4:115
Hadiiths on Bid’ah
“He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason), these are to be rejected.” (Muslim)
“…He who innovates (an act or practice) or gives protection to an innovator, there is a curse of Allah and that of His angels and that of the whole humanity upon him. Allah will not accept from him (as a recompense) any obligatory act or supererogatory act...” (Muslim)
“…Allah cursed him who accommodated an innovator (in religion).” (Muslim)
Dangers of Bid’ah
- Bid’ah eventually leads to Kufr (Disbelief)
- Bid’ah divides the Ummah (Muslim Community) as it had done in the Christian world.
- Bid’ah implies correcting Prophet i.e. he did not complete his mission of teaching Islaam.
- Bid’ah attempts to add to a perfect system but ends up destroying it.
- Since there are no basic rules guiding acts of Bid’ah, it only attracts endless evils.
- Since we have not finished the Sunnah, introducing Bid’ah complicates matters and makes Muslims forget Sunnah.
- Kufr is easily detected and corrected, but Bid’ah is rarely corrected or eliminated.
Forms of Bid’ah with Examples
- Time: Choosing another month for Hajj or Ramadan.
- Place: Tawaaf outside Ka’bah
- Manner: Starting ablution from legs, shouting while supplicating.
- Quantity: Observing four-rak’ah Maghrib deliberately.
- Number of Performers: Congregational dhikr after salaah.
- Category: Using money instead of foodstuff for Zakaatul-Fitr.
- Motives: Mawlid ceremonies to demonstrate the love of the Prophet and loud dhikr to show the love of Allah.
- Extension: Joining dhikr to the beginning and end of Iqaamah, and after Salaam
Factors Contributing to Bid’ah
- Ignorance of Islamic basics
- Fabricated Hadiiths
- Reasoning not based on Qur’aan and Sunnah
- Blind imitation of the masses
- Corruption of Muslim Scholars
- Personal selfish desires
- Neglect of Da’wah
- Imitating other religions
Common Bid’ah Around Us
Mawlid Nabiyy celebration
Group dhikrs before and after Iqaamah
Group dhikr after salaah
Standing for supplication
Hanging turban on the neck
Funeral ceremonial prayers
Hijrah celebration
Joint contribution of Dowry (Sadaaq)
Two Questions for You
1- Do I belong to the Prophet’s Group?
The Prophet (P.B.O.H.) said, “‘The People of the Two Scriptures (Jews and Christians) divided into seventy-two sects. This Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all in the Fire except one, that is, the Jama`ah. Some of my Ummah (Community) will be guided by desire, like one who is infected by rabies; no vein or joint will be saved from these desires.’’ (Abu Dawood, Ahmad and al-Haakim)
2- Will I not be kept away from the Prophet in the Last Day?
The Prophet (P.B.O.H.) said, “I will be ahead of you in reaching my fountain, and there will be people who will be prevented from reaching it, therefore, I will say: ‘My Lord! These are my followers!’ It will be said: ‘You do not know what they innovated and changed (the religion) after you.’ (i.e., after your death) Therefore, I will say: ‘Let those who changed (the religion) be kept away. (in a
humiliated place).” (Bukhaari & Muslim) “
These people resemble the true Muslims but they are innovators in the religion. They appear like the Muslims and also claim to be Muslims that eve the Prophet (P.B.O.H.) would recognize them to be Muslims but Allah will separate them from the sincere Muslims.
The Only Solution
The Prophet (P.B.O.H.) warned, “He who lives long enough will see many things which he will not recognise, therefore, hold on to my Sunnah and that of the rightly guided caliphs who succeed me; bite onto it (i.e., my Sunnah) with your molars. Stay away from innovations, because every innovation is misguidance.”(Ahmad & Abu Daawood)
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Understanding Bid’ah
