Innovation in Religion - I

Innovation in religion signifies transgressing the texts of the
Sharee'ah in issuing rulings, non-observance of the teachings of the
Sunnah , following diverse opinions and whims and abandoning the
example of the Prophet, . Imaam Ash-Shaatibi defined innovation in
religion as a religious way that is invented in order to resemble a
Sharee'ah -based way; the purpose of such an invented way is to
overstate the manners of worship to Allaah The Almighty.
Sharee'ah Texts CondemnInnovation in Religion
Various texts of the Sharee'ah condemn innovation in religion and warn
against it. It was narrated on the authority of Jaabir that when the
Prophet, , would give a Khutbah (sermon), his eyes would turn red and
his voice would be loud. The Prophet, , would say: "Indeed, the best
speech is the Book of Allaah The Almighty, and the best guidance is
that of Muhammad, the most evil affairs are the originated ones, and
every innovation [in religion] is misguidance…" [Muslim]
In a Hadeeth narrated by Al-'Irbaadh ibn Saariyah the Prophet, , said:
"Those of you who outlive me will see enormous differences. You must
then follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs. Abide by
it and hold on tight to it [as if] with your eyeteeth. Beware
ofinstigation [in religion], for every instigation is aninnovation,
and every innovation is misguidance." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi -
Hasan Saheeh [
It was narrated on the authority of 'Aa'ishah that the Prophet, ,
said: "Whoever introduces an innovationinto this religion, will have
it rejected." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Innovation in Religion is Misguidance that ThwartsActs of Worship
Introducing an innovation in religion is misguidance and makes one's
acts of worship worthless. This applies to the originator of the
innovation as well as anyone who follows that innovation. The Prophet,
, said: "Whoever introduces an innovationto this religion, will have
it rejected." An innovator in religion actually thinksthat he is doing
a good deed, which makes it very unlikely that he would repent for
doing it. In this respect, an innovator in religion is different from
a non-observant Muslim. It was narrated on the authority of Anas that
the Prophet, , said: "Allaah withholds repentance from every
instigator of an innovation in the religion." [Al-Munthiri and
At-Tabaraani, Al-Albaani - Hasan [
The most dangerous religious innovations are the ones pertaining to
creed, such as the Khawaarij's (an early Islamic sect) belief that a
person who commits a major sin thereby becomes a disbeliever;
figurative interpretation of the Names and Attributes of Allaah The
Almighty (such as interpreting the Istiwaa' (rising) of Allaah to
meandominion, His Descent to mean His sending down of commands, His
Hand tomean power and so on); believing that some people are exempted
from religious obligations; believing in pantheism or incarnation,
dedicating acts of worship to the dead; giving precedenceto 'logic'
over textual proofs; believing in the infallibility of Imaams ; and
cursing the Companions and calling them unbelievers. Innovators are
referred to as "the people of innovation" or "the people of whims".
A Malicious Allegation Rebutted
Any saying or action that does not coincide with the teachings of the
Prophet, , is considered to be an innovation in religion and
misguidance. However, there are thosewho maintain that some
innovations in religion are good. They justify their claim by what
'Umaribn Al-Khattaab said when he made Ubayy ibnKa'b lead the people
in congregational Salaat Taraaweeh during Ramadhaan . 'Umar said, "How
good this innovation is!"
We refute this claim frommany angles. For instance, the Prophet, ,
performed this Salaah with men and women fora few nights, but he
stopped performing it in congregation because hefeared that it might
become obligatory on them. After the Prophet, , died and revelation
stopped, 'Umar noticed that some peoplewould perform this Salaah
individually while others performed it in groups. At this point, 'Umar
gathered them to perform it behind Ubayy ibn Ka'b and said the phrase
stated above. Moreover, 'Umar was one of the rightly-guidedcaliphs
whom the Prophet, , ordered us to follow. The Prophet, said: "Follow
my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs."
If the word "innovation" or its equivalents are used in contexts other
than the Islamic one, then in this case, it may be praiseworthy.
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): } Say, "I am not something
original among the messengers." { [Quran 46:9] Allaah The Almighty is
telling Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi was sallam , to say here
that he was not the first messenger, and that messengers were sent
before him. In another verse, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): }
And monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for
them. { [Quran 57:27] This means that Christians themselvesoriginated
monasticism. Christians chose to endure the hardships of abstaining
from food, drink and marriage and being attached to caves and
hermitages, as a reaction to their kings who altered the teachings of
their religion. Only a few Christians remained steadfast and became
monks. This concept of monasticism does not exist in Islam. In fact,
Jihaad is the monasticism of the Muslim Ummah (Nation).
Extremism Versus Negligence
Some Muslims go to extremes regarding religious innovation. They do
not distinguish between innovation in religion and innovation in the
worldly aspects of life. A group of Muslims has preferred to adhere to
the inherited ways of life that it has been bequeathed, although they
only pertain to worldly matters. As a result, while other nations have
attained progress in worldly matters, this group remains reliant on
other nations for what they invent and manufacture.
On the other hand, another group of Muslimshas not differentiated
between forbidden innovation in acts of worship and permitted
innovation in aspects of this worldly life; they went to the other
extreme, so that they innovated in the religion what Allaah The
Almightyhas not permitted. They did this under the pretextof
urbanization and achieving development.
Concepts become confused, yet it was necessary that each group is
aware of its due right. It should be knownthat in principle,
innovation is forbidden in all acts of worship and such matters are
restricted to those that have a basis in authentic texts. However, in
principle, innovation thatleads to progress in this worldly life is
permissible, although it must conform to the rulesof Sharee'ah .
Transactions are basicallypermissible once its relevant criteria are
considered. This means that it is not against the teachings of Islam
to manufacture planes, drive cars and build hospitals, orphanages and
schools. The permissibility or impermissibility of any worldly
activity is determined on the basis of the purpose and manner of
usage. If the purpose and manner of usage is for a good cause, the
activity is permissible; and if they are used for an evil purpose the
activity is impermissible. Acts of worship such as prayers,
dutifulness to parents and wearing Hijaab , however, should be
performed without increase or decrease, whether we live in the first
century or the hundredth century.
This blessed religion is characterized by its susceptibility to
development, on the condition that the teachings of the religion are
not altered. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): } It is not for me
to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. {
[Quran 10:15] For this reason, we say that innovation in religion is
condemned and is absolute misguidance. This ruling applies to both
real innovations and additional innovations (the innovations which
combine a Sharee'ah -based act and an originated act. For instance,
the prayer for the Prophet, , after the Athaan (call to prayer) in a
loud voice; celebrating the beginning of a new Hijri year; and
celebrating the occasion of Al-Israa' and Mi'raaj .) Some claim that
additional innovations should not be condemned, however, this is
incorrect. They must be condemned because the prohibition of
innovation in religion is general. - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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