What is the explanation of Ibn Taymiyyah’s (may Allah have mercy on him) statement that the one who commits a religious innovation (bid'ah) may be rewarded for his intention despite the defectiveness of his deed?
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Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book *Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim* that the one who commits a bid'ah may be rewarded for his intention despite the defectiveness of his deed. So what is the clarification of this statement?
Answer:
If he intends to draw near to Allah, he is rewarded for his intention, not for his deed. As for his deed, he sins for it and is punished for it. As for his intention, he is rewarded for it if it is sincere for the face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). There is a difference between the deed and the intention.
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book *Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim* that the one who commits a bid'ah may be rewarded for his intention despite the defectiveness of his deed. So what is the clarification of this statement?
Answer:
If he intends to draw near to Allah, he is rewarded for his intention, not for his deed. As for his deed, he sins for it and is punished for it. As for his intention, he is rewarded for it if it is sincere for the face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). There is a difference between the deed and the intention.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما تفسير قول ابن تيمية –رحمه الله أن صاحب البدعة قد يؤجر على نيته مع فساد عمله؟ للشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.