The Shaykh’s response to those who cite the report of 'Umar: “What a good innovation this is” as evidence for the existence of a good innovation in Islam.

The Shaykh : In response to the wish of the caller Abu 'Ammar, whom we ask Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to use to enliven the homes.

The questioner: Amen.

The Shaykh : And to prolong his life through righteous deeds, if Allah wills. As we were arriving with him in the car, the occasion arose to discuss the wisdom of the Imam of the City of Migration, namely Malik ibn Anas (may Allah have mercy on him). He used to say: “How much we need to be cultured with what he used to say. What did he say? ‘Whoever innovates in Islam an innovation that he considers good has claimed that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) betrayed the message. Read the saying of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He): , and the end of this community will not be set right except by what set right its beginning. So whatever was not a religion at that time will not be a religion today.’” So whatever was not a religion at that time will not be a religion today. Why? Because of the verse: The matter is concluded. When I mentioned this report, a question occurred to Abu 'Ammar, and I knew before he spoke that he meant the words of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab: “What a good innovation this is.” He said: “It is so.” We said: “Then we will speak about this report of 'Umar, because it is one of the doubts that many cling to—what shall I say, of the innovators? And although many innovators cling to this report of 'Umar—I say: many people cling to it who have imagined that there is a good innovation in Islam, arguing with this report where 'Umar ibn al-Khattab said it.”

The questioner: Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh-And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings- (may Allah be pleased with him) on the occasion of reviving a noble Prophetic sunnah, which is: the prayer of standing in Ramadan, that prayer which is known today as the tarawih prayer. When he saw the people gathered behind a single imam, he said: “What a good innovation this is.” So it became a problem or a doubt for some people who do not distinguish between the Shari'ah innovation and the linguistic innovation. That is because every event that occurs is new and novel and an innovation, but not every event that occurs conforms to the Shari'ah. What conforms to the Shari'ah is a sunnah, and what contradicts the Shari'ah is a bid'ah (religious innovation). So what did 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) do when he said these words: “What a good innovation this is”?