If someone says there is a principle in the principles of jurisprudence that a permissible act, if it becomes recommended, becomes a religious innovation?
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The questioner : If someone says there is a principle in the principles of jurisprudence that a custom, if it becomes permissible, becomes a religious innovation?
The Shaykh : A custom?
The questioner : A custom, if it becomes permissible, if it becomes recommended, it becomes a religious innovation.
The Shaykh : A permissible act cannot become recommended; it is by its name.
The questioner : ... We recommend it because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did it.
The Shaykh : The scholars differed on this. Distinguished scholars, some of them, held that this is among the recommended matters because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) adopted it. Imam Ahmad said it is a recommended practice; if we are able to do it, we should adopt it, but if it is a burden, it is a hardship. Some scholars say this is among the customs because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not command it; he only did it following the custom. So if people become accustomed to this, it is a recommended practice, because following the custom is part of the recommended practice, so that a person does not fall into ostentation.
The Shaykh : A custom?
The questioner : A custom, if it becomes permissible, if it becomes recommended, it becomes a religious innovation.
The Shaykh : A permissible act cannot become recommended; it is by its name.
The questioner : ... We recommend it because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did it.
The Shaykh : The scholars differed on this. Distinguished scholars, some of them, held that this is among the recommended matters because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) adopted it. Imam Ahmad said it is a recommended practice; if we are able to do it, we should adopt it, but if it is a burden, it is a hardship. Some scholars say this is among the customs because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not command it; he only did it following the custom. So if people become accustomed to this, it is a recommended practice, because following the custom is part of the recommended practice, so that a person does not fall into ostentation.