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﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

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What are the categories of religious innovation (bid'ah) according to al-Shatibi in al-I'tisam, and we request examples for each category?

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The Shaykh : Because the Shaykh divides religious innovation (bid'ah) into two categories in his great book, al-I'tisam: religious innovation, how is that?
The student : An additive religious innovation.

The Shaykh : A true religious innovation and an additive religious innovation. He says: "Most of the religious innovations that the general Muslim population has been afflicted with are of the second type, additive religious innovations." This is a precise expression from him. What does he mean by additive religious innovation? He says: "It is that when you look at it from one angle, you find it to be a recommended practice (sunnah), and when you look at it from another angle, you find it to be a religious innovation (bid'ah). How? The original basis is valid, but what was attached to it and added to it is not valid. Hence it is called a religious innovation." He gives some very useful examples of this, such as: the gathering of worshippers to raise their voices in seeking forgiveness or in glorifying Allah after the prayers. He says: The basis of this is established in the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):
When Allah's Messenger wanted to turn from his Salat, he would seek forgiveness from Allah three times, then say: (Allahumma Antas-Salam, wa minkas-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-Ikram) 'O Allah! You are the One free of defects and perfection is from You. Blessed are You, O Possesor of Majesty and Honor.' كان إذا سلَّمَ استغفر الله ثلاثًا ، ثم قال : اللهم أنت السلام ، ومنك السلام ، تباركت يا ذا الجلال والإكرام
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 300Sahih (Darussalam)
. From the perspective of the worshippers performing this seeking forgiveness and this supplication, this is a recommended practice (sunnah). But from the perspective of their gathering to raise their voices in unison, this is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Therefore, this act is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and is not permissible. He calls this an additive religious innovation. If we look at the religious innovations that many Muslims in the lands of Islam are upon, we will find them to be of this type. You look at it: "Pray upon him and send peace upon him." Why do we not object to the mu'adhdhins adding to the adhan?! Do you object to the prayer upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?! Allah commanded the prayer upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)! Yes, no one objects to this. But what was not part of the guidance of the Salaf was adding a prayer to the adhan. When you finish the adhan: pray as much as you wish,
And whoever prays upon me once, Allah will pray upon him ten times. ومَن صلَّى عليَّ مرَّةً واحدةً صلَّى الله عليه بها عشرًا
and so on. If each of us were to imagine the many religious innovations, he would find them to be of this nature: from one aspect, it is a recommended practice (sunnah), and from another aspect, it is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Now: every general text includes many parts, and it is established for us that a part of these parts included in the general text was not practiced by the righteous Salaf?! The result is that it is not permissible. The result is that it is a religious innovation (bid'ah). And now, let me bring you closer with an example that Muslims have not yet been afflicted with. It is known that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the Muslim to supplicate before the closing salam of the prayer with a known supplication, seeking refuge from four things. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Then let him choose from the supplications whatever he wishes. ثم ليتخيَّر من الدعاء ما شاء
Sahih Ibn Hibban 10:238
. I am asking you now: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Hellfire while I am in prayer?" Is this permissible?
The student: No.

The Shaykh : Why?
The student : What is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Shaykh : Fine, is this established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The student : O Shaykh, reconcile between two conflicting matters.

The Shaykh : No, do not deviate from the question. I know what you are saying.
The student: Yes.

The Shaykh : But is the lengthening beyond the fist established?
The student: No.

The Shaykh : So you, you are now between one of two things: either you prove to me that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and those who witnessed him, such as Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurayrah and so on, transmitted to us that his beard was longer than the fist, and that he did not take anything from it. Either you prove this and I will retract, or you are unable to do so, and that is what will be the case, so you proceed with the rule. And I have clarified for you: "That every part of a general text that was not practiced by the Salaf is not only not permissible, but it is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and an invention in the religion." And we ask Allah to grant us understanding in the religion. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. It is practiced in the Hijaz and Najd regions, and it is taking the beard when raising the head from the bowing. This is exactly like lengthening the beard. If you think about it, you will find it to be so... Ah, fine, fine, may you be well, if Allah wills, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The student : May Allah preserve you and bless you, and upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

The Shaykh : Welcome.
Source www.al-albany.com

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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