What is the ruling on one who cites the statement of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, "What a good innovation this is," as evidence for a good religious innovation (bid'ah)?

Question:
The questioner says: Some people cite the statement of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, "What a good innovation this is," to argue that there is such a thing as a good religious innovation (bid'ah). Is this correct?

Answer:
This is not correct, because by that 'Umar meant the tarawih prayer. He gathered them behind a single imam after they had been praying separately. The tarawih prayer behind a single imam is from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), not from the action of 'Umar. Rather, 'Umar revived this Sunnah by gathering them behind a single imam. So when he said, "What a good innovation this is," he did not mean a religious innovation (bid'ah) in the legal sense, but rather an innovation in the linguistic sense.
As for a religious innovation (bid'ah) in the legal sense, it is not an innovation because it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). A religious innovation (bid'ah) in the legal sense is that for which there is no evidence. The tarawih prayer has valid evidence from the action of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Yes, and there is no good religious innovation (bid'ah) in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and he did not make an exception, saying that there is a good religious innovation (bid'ah). Rather, every religious innovation (bid'ah) is misguidance. Yes.