The Difference Between Religious Innovation and the Unspecified Means, with Examples
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The Shaykh : For example, if someone said, "This loudspeaker is an innovation; it was not known in the time of the Messenger of Allah or the Companions, so it is misguidance." What would we say? If you do not answer this question, you have not understood my words. Please, go ahead.
The student: An innovation is only in acts of worship, whereas in worldly matters...
The Shaykh : No, this is not about worldly matters; it is about acts of worship. It is obligatory to listen to the Friday sermon.
The student: This is a means.
The Shaykh : Yes, well done. Perfect. May Allah reward you. Well done. We say this is a means. This is a means. And the means to what is prescribed? They are permissible. I am not worshipping Allah the Exalted with this loudspeaker because it is a loudspeaker, but because it conveys what is prescribed. Therefore, if a person set up a loudspeaker to listen to the songs of so-and-so and so-and-so, what would be the ruling? Is it forbidden or not? It is forbidden. Look, sometimes it is forbidden, sometimes it is lawful, and sometimes it is prescribed, and the device is the same device, and everything is the same. So, my brothers, a condition for the validity of worship is following whom? The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The student: An innovation is only in acts of worship, whereas in worldly matters...
The Shaykh : No, this is not about worldly matters; it is about acts of worship. It is obligatory to listen to the Friday sermon.
The student: This is a means.
The Shaykh : Yes, well done. Perfect. May Allah reward you. Well done. We say this is a means. This is a means. And the means to what is prescribed? They are permissible. I am not worshipping Allah the Exalted with this loudspeaker because it is a loudspeaker, but because it conveys what is prescribed. Therefore, if a person set up a loudspeaker to listen to the songs of so-and-so and so-and-so, what would be the ruling? Is it forbidden or not? It is forbidden. Look, sometimes it is forbidden, sometimes it is lawful, and sometimes it is prescribed, and the device is the same device, and everything is the same. So, my brothers, a condition for the validity of worship is following whom? The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).