What is the criterion for religious innovation, and why are signs in the streets not considered an innovation?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah.
Your Eminence, last week we submitted a question, and I was sitting here behind you. The question was about the signs in the street that say "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah) and "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah). One of us asked, "Is this not an innovation? Did the Companions do this?" So what is the criterion for religious innovation? May Allah forgive you.
The Shaykh : Yes, religious innovation is when a person worships Allah with what Allah the Exalted has not prescribed. This is the innovation. As for the means of worship, they are not an innovation.
So there is a difference between the objectives and the means. If someone were to say, for example, that the loudspeaker in prayer, the sermon, and the sermons was not present in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and is therefore an innovation, we would say that is wrong, because this is a means to convey good to people. These signs that are in the roads are a means to remind people to remember Allah the Exalted. Yes.
Your Eminence, last week we submitted a question, and I was sitting here behind you. The question was about the signs in the street that say "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah) and "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah). One of us asked, "Is this not an innovation? Did the Companions do this?" So what is the criterion for religious innovation? May Allah forgive you.
The Shaykh : Yes, religious innovation is when a person worships Allah with what Allah the Exalted has not prescribed. This is the innovation. As for the means of worship, they are not an innovation.
So there is a difference between the objectives and the means. If someone were to say, for example, that the loudspeaker in prayer, the sermon, and the sermons was not present in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and is therefore an innovation, we would say that is wrong, because this is a means to convey good to people. These signs that are in the roads are a means to remind people to remember Allah the Exalted. Yes.