What are the innovations that take one out of the religion of Islam, and what are the innovations that are less than that?
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The questioner : What are the innovations that take one out of the religion of Islam? And what are the innovations that are less than that?
The Shaykh : The criterion in this is: if an innovation contradicts Islam or necessitates disparaging Islam, then it is an innovation that entails disbelief. As for what is less than that, it is an innovation that entails open sinfulness. Among the innovations that do not entail disbelief are the specific formulas of dhikr or specific times designated for dhikr that some people have introduced, which the Sunnah did not specify. These are originally prescribed, but they restricted them to a time that was not restricted in the Qur'an or the Sunnah. As for the innovations that entail disbelief, which necessitate a deficiency in the Creator, a deficiency in the Messenger, or a deficiency in the transmitters of the Shari'ah, such as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), these are innovations that entail disbelief. The important point is that any innovation that contradicts Islam is an innovation that entails disbelief, and any that does not contradict it is an innovation less than declaring someone a disbeliever.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
The Shaykh : The criterion in this is: if an innovation contradicts Islam or necessitates disparaging Islam, then it is an innovation that entails disbelief. As for what is less than that, it is an innovation that entails open sinfulness. Among the innovations that do not entail disbelief are the specific formulas of dhikr or specific times designated for dhikr that some people have introduced, which the Sunnah did not specify. These are originally prescribed, but they restricted them to a time that was not restricted in the Qur'an or the Sunnah. As for the innovations that entail disbelief, which necessitate a deficiency in the Creator, a deficiency in the Messenger, or a deficiency in the transmitters of the Shari'ah, such as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), these are innovations that entail disbelief. The important point is that any innovation that contradicts Islam is an innovation that entails disbelief, and any that does not contradict it is an innovation less than declaring someone a disbeliever.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.