What is bid'ah (religious innovation), and when is it said that so-and-so is a mubtadi' (innovator)?

The questioner : Briefly, to whom does the term bid'ah (religious innovation) apply, and when is it said to this man, "You are a mubtadi' (innovator)," so that the man does not fall into sin?

The Shaykh : The second part of the question is important, while the first part is something where the research and answer are repeated. Let us divide your question into two parts:
The first part is what, briefly, so that I can answer it? What is the first part of the question?

The questioner : The first part of the question is, first of all, to whom does it apply.

The Shaykh : No, that is the second part.

The questioner : And when is it said to this man, "You are a mubtadi' (innovator)," meaning?

The Shaykh : I understood this is the second part. If you are fine, listen to the tape. I understood from your question another benefit you are asking about, but when I asked you to repeat, you limited it to one part of the question, and this is a loss for me. If you do not have more benefit, we will address this question...

Another questioner : Peace be upon you

The Shaykh : And peace be upon you. No, I want, according to my understanding, it is permissible for me, I might be mistaken, that there are two parts to your question. The first part is where the research and question are repeated, which is not important, and the second part is important. The second part is important.

The questioner : What is bid'ah (religious innovation)?

The Shaykh : What is bid'ah (religious innovation) is what is repeated in speech, but when it is applied is the important part. Please, because he repeated it almost exactly, but let us hear from our friend who lost the first part of the question. Yes, meaning, so I say regarding "what is bid'ah," since the question and answer are repeated, I will be brief. I say first, bid'ah (religious innovation) is every matter newly introduced in the religion, intended to increase closeness to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). "Newly introduced in the religion" is a condition, meaning it was not known before, neither in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) nor in the time of the righteous predecessors. If it was known in the time of the Messenger, it is not bid'ah (religious innovation). Here you see the importance of this condition to refute the innovators who argue with the saying of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab: "What a good bid'ah (religious innovation) this is," regarding the prayer of tarawih, even though the prayer of tarawih was in the time of the Messenger and he established it as a sunnah (recommended practice). So this definition excludes such a bid'ah (religious innovation) that 'Umar named and called a good bid'ah (religious innovation). Why? Because it was not introduced after the Messenger, because the Messenger did it. If you notice this condition, you will understand its importance. Bid'ah (religious innovation) is every matter newly introduced in the religion, meaning it was not before. The prayer of tarawih was, and the Messenger ordered it, and we are not in this context. Newly introduced in the religion and was not before. The second condition is that it is intended to increase closeness to Allah. Increasing closeness to the righteous predecessors, increasing beyond Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and whoever is below him, as Allah wills. Who is this one who wants to increase in closeness to Allah beyond what the Messenger of Allah and the Companions who were with him used to draw near with? This is a very important condition so that it can be said to him, "Are you better than those?" So if this were good, they would have preceded us to it. This second condition is that it is intended for closeness.