It is reported that you said: The unification of supplication via mobile phone messages is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Is this ruling correct?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: I read in the Dawah magazine a fatwa from you stating that the unification of supplication via mobile phone messages is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Is this ruling correct?

Answer:
Yes. And I say it now: the one who tells people, “Pray together on such-and-such a day and at such-and-such an hour,” is committing a religious innovation (bid'ah). This is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and there is no need for him to say it on the mobile phone. Supplication is commanded without you commanding them. Allah commanded them to do this, and you do not specify a time for them or designate a type of supplication for them. This is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Yes.