Explanation of the Hadith: Whoever Introduces a Good Sunnah

Question:
The questioner: The hadith, O Shaykh, until the Day of Resurrection. We hope you will clarify the meaning of this hadith for us?

Answer:
The Shaykh: The meaning of this hadith is that whoever introduces a sunnah means he revives a sunnah that people had abandoned. It does not mean that introducing a sunnah is inventing something new in Islam; that is a bid'ah (religious innovation), not a sunnah. Rather, it means reviving a sunnah that people had abandoned. The reason for the hadith is clear: people in need came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and their poverty and destitution were apparent. So he ordered them to give charity. The people with him followed up, giving a handful of dates, or this and that, until a man came with a bag of gold that his hand could not lift, and he placed it before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the people saw this, they were encouraged to give charity and gave what they had. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces in Islam..." meaning this man and those like him, "whoever introduces in Islam a sunnah," meaning he acts upon a sunnah that people had forgotten or overlooked, "he will have its reward and the reward of everyone who acts upon it." Yes.