Bid’ah (innovation) authored by Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
The Islamic definition of Bid’ah:
Imaam Ash-Shaafi’i, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is anything that has no basis in the Qur’aan, Sunnah or sayings of any of the companions.”
Imaam Ash-Shaafi’i, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is anything that has no basis in the Qur’aan, Sunnah or sayings of any of the companions.”
Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is any form of worship that did not exist (at the time of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his companions) then later it was innovated.”
Ibn Rajab, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “A Bid’ah is any form of worship which has no basis in the Sharee’ah which would warrant its legislation.”
Ash-Shaatibi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “(A Bid’ah) is any matter which closely resembles the Sharee’ah and is intended to be a way of worshipping Allaah."
General rules to recognise Bid’ah:
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Any act of worship that is based on a fabricated Hadeeth is a Bid'ah, like the prayer in the month of Rajab which is called the prayer of Raghaa’ib.
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Any act of worship that is based on a fabricated Hadeeth is a Bid'ah, like the prayer in the month of Rajab which is called the prayer of Raghaa’ib.
Any act of worship which the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not perform, although there were no preventing factors is a Bid’ah, like uttering the intention before beginning the prayer, calling Adhaan for any prayer other than the five obligatory ones.
Any habitual act performed with the intention of pleasing Allah which Islam did not consider as an act or worship is a Bid'ah, such as for example: wearing coarse woollen clothes, continuous silence, refraining from eating l meat, not drinking cold water or standing in the sun.
Performing prohibited acts with the intention of pleasing Allaah is a Bid'ah, such as singing songs about Him.
Moreover, all acts of worship must be performed in exactly the same manner as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did them. This cannot be achieved unless the following six conditions are fulfilled:
1. The act of worship must coincide with Sharee’ah in the reason for which it is done, or else
it would be rejected. Therefore, celebrating Al- Mawlid is a Bid’ah because it is performed as a rewardable act, despite the fact that it has not been legislated.
it would be rejected. Therefore, celebrating Al- Mawlid is a Bid’ah because it is performed as a rewardable act, despite the fact that it has not been legislated.
2. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee’ah in its category. Therefore, it is not acceptable if a person were to slaughter a horse instead of a camel or goat as a sacrifice after Hajj.
3. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee’ah in its quantity. Therefore, if somebody were to add two Rak’ah to the Dhuhr prayer, making a total of six Rak'ah instead of four, this would be unacceptable as it would not be coinciding with the Sharee’ah in its quantity.
4. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee’ah in the manner in which it is performed. Therefore, if someone were to begin their wudoo' by washing their feet instead of their hands, then this act would be unacceptable.
5. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee’ah in the timing of its performance. Therefore, praying the Dhuhr prayer after sunset is
unacceptable.
unacceptable.
6. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee’ah in the place it which it is performed. Therefore, one cannot stand on a mountain other than ‘Arafah during Hajj.
The dangers of Bid’ah and their evil effects:
Bid’ah is a pre-cursor to disbelief.
Making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah. Correcting the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or claiming that he had deficiencies.
Dividing the Muslim nation.
Abandoning the Sunnah,
Bid’ah is a pre-cursor to disbelief.
Making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah. Correcting the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or claiming that he had deficiencies.
Dividing the Muslim nation.
Abandoning the Sunnah,
Igniting disputes among the Muslims.
Accusing the Prophet of not completely conveying the message of Islaam.
Competing with the Prophets in their prophethood. Altering the religion.
Accusing the Prophet of not completely conveying the message of Islaam.
Competing with the Prophets in their prophethood. Altering the religion.
Our next thread will be on
Claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators’ and their refutations:
In shaa Allah.
Claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators’ and their refutations:
In shaa Allah.
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