Does it pose a problem for the rule "Every general matter that was not practiced by the Salaf is an innovation" that the Salaf may have practiced it but it was not transmitted?
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The questioner : In this very matter, does the one who denies it have evidence? In the issue of general matters, if someone asks, "Do you have evidence that this occurred?" can we say that the one who denies it has no evidence?
The Shaykh : Who said that this occurred?
The questioner : They say, "Who says that you are more entitled to everything the Salaf knew was permissible to practice?" We say, "We do not deny this; it is a rule that applies."
The Shaykh : Of course, because I mentioned earlier that if they had done it, the motivations for transmitting it would have been present. This is from our perspective. As for the opponent, we say to him, "Why do you do it? You do it because the Salaf did it, so you have to prove it. That is the opposite of the case, exactly. That is, for any innovation that occurs, we cannot bring evidence that it did not exist in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). However, the general study of the conditions that prevailed at that time gives us, as if it were a text, that they did not do it, even though we do not have a text. Now, let us say a word of agreement: there are many innovations on which all the different parties agree, but they differ in whether the innovation is good or bad. The point of agreement is that it is an innovation, but the difference is whether it is good. Where did all these scholars, who agreed between those who approve and those who disapprove, get their evidence that this thing is an innovation? Is there a text? We do not have a text. But as we told you, the motivations for transmitting these matters would have been present if they had actually occurred. This is a matter agreed upon by all scholars. Therefore, for example, the celebration of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): no one, no matter how deep their ignorance, can say that the Salaf used to do this. It is agreed upon that it is an innovation. But we say, "Every innovation is misguidance." They say, "No, whoever introduced a good practice in Islam..." and they understand the hadith as we always say... incorrectly, in a way that contradicts what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was upon.
The Shaykh : Who said that this occurred?
The questioner : They say, "Who says that you are more entitled to everything the Salaf knew was permissible to practice?" We say, "We do not deny this; it is a rule that applies."
The Shaykh : Of course, because I mentioned earlier that if they had done it, the motivations for transmitting it would have been present. This is from our perspective. As for the opponent, we say to him, "Why do you do it? You do it because the Salaf did it, so you have to prove it. That is the opposite of the case, exactly. That is, for any innovation that occurs, we cannot bring evidence that it did not exist in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). However, the general study of the conditions that prevailed at that time gives us, as if it were a text, that they did not do it, even though we do not have a text. Now, let us say a word of agreement: there are many innovations on which all the different parties agree, but they differ in whether the innovation is good or bad. The point of agreement is that it is an innovation, but the difference is whether it is good. Where did all these scholars, who agreed between those who approve and those who disapprove, get their evidence that this thing is an innovation? Is there a text? We do not have a text. But as we told you, the motivations for transmitting these matters would have been present if they had actually occurred. This is a matter agreed upon by all scholars. Therefore, for example, the celebration of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): no one, no matter how deep their ignorance, can say that the Salaf used to do this. It is agreed upon that it is an innovation. But we say, "Every innovation is misguidance." They say, "No, whoever introduced a good practice in Islam..." and they understand the hadith as we always say... incorrectly, in a way that contradicts what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was upon.