Defining Bid'ah
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The first question of Fatwa number ( 17522 )
Q1: What is the meaning of bid'ah (religious innovation)? We want you to define and clarify it, because there are people who say: "Everything that was not on the way of the Messenger and his Companions is an innovation." What do we say to them?
A1: In its original language, bid'ah is derived from bad' (invention), which means creating something without a prior example. This is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:117], meaning: He created them in a manner in which He perfected and beautified them without a prior example. And His saying: [Al-Ahqaf 46:9], meaning: I am not the first to bring revelation from Allah and legislate laws; rather, Allah the Exalted sent messengers before me as bringers of good news and warners, so I am upon their guidance. Innovation is of two types: The first is innovation in customs, such as the invention of modern machines, and this is permissible;
because the default ruling for customs is permissibility. The second is innovation in religion, and this is forbidden; because the default ruling in religion is that it is based on divine legislation, so it is not taken except from Allah the Exalted, or from His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Religious innovation is of two types: The first is doctrinal innovation, such as the innovation of the misguided sects like the Jahmiyyah and the Mu'tazilah and other sects of misguidance. The second is devotional innovation, which has many types, such as when a person legislates a form of worship that Allah the Exalted has not legislated, or Allah legislated it but the innovator added to it or subtracted from it, or he introduced a characteristic into its form that was not legislated. Every innovation in religion is forbidden; due to the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1718a, narrated by the two Shaykhs from the hadith of A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), and Muslim narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sahih Muslim 1718b, and Muslim narrated from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Bulugh al-Maram 2:368, and he said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2214Sahih (Darussalam), and he would join his index and middle fingers, and say: Sahih Muslim 867a, then he would say: Sahih Muslim 867a. This prohibition varies in degrees; some of it falls under the limit of disbelief, such as circumambulating graves to worship their occupants, and slaughtering and making vows to them. Some of it is a means to disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah), such as building on graves and praying and making supplication at them. Some of it is doctrinal open sinfulness as we mentioned. And some of it is a sin, such as the innovation of seclusion and castration to cut off desire. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Q1: What is the meaning of bid'ah (religious innovation)? We want you to define and clarify it, because there are people who say: "Everything that was not on the way of the Messenger and his Companions is an innovation." What do we say to them?
A1: In its original language, bid'ah is derived from bad' (invention), which means creating something without a prior example. This is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Originator of the heavens and the earth
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِSay, "I am not something original among the messengers
قُلْ مَا كُنْتُ بِدْعًا مِنَ الرُّسُلِbecause the default ruling for customs is permissibility. The second is innovation in religion, and this is forbidden; because the default ruling in religion is that it is based on divine legislation, so it is not taken except from Allah the Exalted, or from His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Religious innovation is of two types: The first is doctrinal innovation, such as the innovation of the misguided sects like the Jahmiyyah and the Mu'tazilah and other sects of misguidance. The second is devotional innovation, which has many types, such as when a person legislates a form of worship that Allah the Exalted has not legislated, or Allah legislated it but the innovator added to it or subtracted from it, or he introduced a characteristic into its form that was not legislated. Every innovation in religion is forbidden; due to the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):
'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردHe who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردWhenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) delivered a Khutbah (religious talk), his eyes would become red, his voice rose and his anger would become intensified, as if he (ﷺ) was like one warning an army and saying, "The enemy has made a morning attack on you. The enemy has made an evening attack on you."
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا خطب احمرت عيناه، وعلا صوته، واشتد غضبه، حتى كأنه منذر جيش يقول صبَّحكم ومسَّاكمThe Hour and I were dispatched like these two
بعثت أنا والساعة كهاتينThe best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error.
أما بعد: فإن خير الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، وشر الأمور محدثاتها، وكل بدعة ضلالةI am more dear to a Muslim even than his self; and he who left behind property that is for his family; and he who dies under debt or leaves children (in helplessness), the responsibility (of paying his debt and bringing up his children) lies on me.
أنا أولى بكل مؤمن من نفسه، من ترك مالاً فلأهله، ومن ترك دينًا أو ضياعًا فإليَّ وعليَّ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.