Clarification that every innovation is misguidance and that there is no good innovation in the religion. (The meaning of Allah’s saying: “Today I have perfected for you your religion”)

The Shaykh : It has come in Sahih al-Bukhari أن حبرا من أحبار اليهود جاء إلى عمر أمير المؤمنين في خلافته فقال يا أمير المؤمنين آية في كتاب الله لو علينا معشر يهود نزلت لاتخذنا يوم نزولها عيدا قال عمر ما هي قال اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام دينا قال أنا أعلم الناس بنزولها لقد نزلت ورسول الله في عرفات ويوم جمعة A Jewish scholar among the scholars of the Jews came to 'Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, during his caliphate and said, “O Commander of the Faithful, there is a verse in the Book of Allah that, if it had been revealed to us, the Jews, we would have taken the day of its revelation as a festival.” 'Umar said, “What is it?” He said, “Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” 'Umar said, “I am the most knowledgeable of people about its revelation. It was revealed while the Messenger of Allah was at 'Arafah and it was a Friday.” So the verse was revealed on a day of two festivals: the Friday festival and the festival of 'Arafah. So this verse: the Jewish scholar knew its value. It is possible that he was a scholar among the Jews and then Allah guided him. It is also possible that he remained in his misguidance, which is not our concern. But in any case, pay attention to this divine favor upon the Muslims when He bestowed upon them this noble verse: and so on. So this perfection and completion is a very great favor from Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). Have we, the Muslims, recognized this reality? I say this with great regret: the masses of Muslims, from the callers to Allah to those below them, have not paid attention to the greatness of this divine blessing upon His believing servants, while that Jewish scholar paid attention and said, “If it had been revealed to us, the Jews, we would have taken the day of its revelation as a festival.” So 'Umar said, “It was revealed on a day of festival: a Friday and the day of 'Arafah.” Based on the greatness of this verse, what did one of the four Imams say, and he is the Imam of the City of Migration, the Imam Malik ibn Anas (may Allah have mercy on him)? He said, “Be careful and do not think that this matter is among the trivialities or the husks, as they say.” He said (may Allah have mercy on him and may He be pleased with him): “Whoever innovates in Islam an innovation that he considers good has claimed that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) betrayed the message.” Whoever innovates in Islam an innovation that he considers good, he is telling you, “What is in it?” He has claimed that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) betrayed the message. Read the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He): “So what was not a religion at that time will not be a religion today.” This is a saying that is written in gold ink, as they used to say before. “So what was not a religion at that time will not be a religion today.” “And the last of this Ummah will not be rectified except by what rectified its first part.” So I conclude this word following that one, standing by this Maliki Medinan phrase. Malik says, “And the last of this Ummah will not be rectified except by what rectified its first part.” And now you find in the Muslim society sects, groups, factions, parties, and so on, all seeking honor for Islam and a return to rule by Islam. But except for whom Allah wills, and they are few, the saying of the old Arab poet applies to them: “Sa'd led them, and Sa'd was wrapped in his cloak. / This is not, O Sa'd, how camels are led.” Why? Because Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), did you hear him say, “The last of this Ummah will not be rectified except by what rectified its first part”? A very brief question and a brief answer: By what was the first part rectified? By faith and righteous deeds. Faith and righteous deeds: neither can be reached except through beneficial knowledge. And what is beneficial knowledge? Beneficial knowledge was summarized by an Imam of the Imams of the Muslims in verses of poetry when he said, “Knowledge.” I will end my speech with these verses. He said:
“Knowledge: Allah said, His Messenger said, / The Companions said; it is not deception.
Knowledge: setting yourself up for foolish disagreement / Between the Messenger and the opinion of a jurist.
Nor by denial of the attributes and their negation, *** Out of fear of ta'til [denial of the divine attributes] and tashbih [likening Allah to creation]."
And this is sufficient, and we ask Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to benefit us with what we have heard and to inspire us to act upon what we have learned, and He is capable of all things. Now we open the door for questions, and it is best, and I advise that the questions be about what you have heard, because what has been heard is still fresh before any addition or subtraction enters it. And if there is no question about this topic, then let it be whatever you wish.The questioner .