Are the two rak'ahs of ihram a religious innovation?

The questioner : Some scholars say that the two rak'ahs of ihram are a bid'ah (religious innovation). Is this correct or not?

The Shaykh : Yes, the two rak'ahs of ihram, meaning that a person prays two rak'ahs specifically for the sake of ihram, have no basis in the Sunnah. As Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned, and this is correct, there is no prayer specific to ihram. If a person takes a bath, wears the clothes of ihram, and says Labbaik, his ihram is valid and not deficient. However, if a person is at the miqat and it is the time for an obligatory prayer,
then it is better to delay the ihram until he prays that obligatory prayer, and then he makes the intention after the obligatory prayer. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the state of ihram after a prayer, meaning an obligatory prayer. As for intentionally praying two rak'ahs for the sake of ihram, the Sunnah has not come with this. However, some scholars said that if he purifies himself by taking a bath and performing wudu, it is established that the sunnah (recommended practice) of wudu is prescribed. So he prays two rak'ahs, intending with them the prayer of purity, not the prayer of ihram, and then he enters the state of ihram after them. In that case, he has entered the state of ihram after a prescribed prayer. As for there being a specific prayer for ihram, that has not come. So whoever says it is a bid'ah, his statement is correct. But it should be made clear to people what the Sunnah is, so that people do not turn away from what is said. Yes.