Innovation in Religion - II

The Righteous Predecessors Warned Against Religious Innovation
Maalik said, "A person who introduces a religious innovation in Islam
and thinks that it is good, is as if he is claiming that Muhammad
betrayed his message. This is because Allaah The Almighty Says (what
means): } This day I have perfected for you your religion. { [Quran
5:3] Therefore, any act that was not originally part ofthe religion
will not be assuch today."
Imaam Ash-Shaafi'i said, " Approving [of an innovated act] is like
legislating [an innovated act]."
'Umar was reported tohave said, "Every religious innovation is
misguidance even if people see it as good."
Ibn Mas'ood said, "Follow the way of the Prophet , , and do not
innovate, for what is revealed is enough for you. Always adhere to the
old practices."
Therefore, it is upon the person who introduces any new matter in the
creed or acts of worship to provide the text and the evidence for
doing so, because doing such an act must be supportedby evidence from
the Sunnah . Similarly, we have to follow the Sunnah in not performing
certain acts that are not part of the Sunnah even though theyare
called for and were not hindered by any circumstances at the timeof
prophethood. Examples of acts that were not included in the Sunnah
are: the Athaan before the Salaah of both Eeds ; reciting the Quran
for the dead; and recitingthe Quran loudly before Salaat - ul ' Asr
and before the Friday congregational Salaahs . It is from the Sunnah
to not do these acts. It was the knowledge and insight of our
righteous predecessors that prevented them from doing these acts.
Al-Hasan said , "Peoplein the past were doomed when they followed
different paths and swerved from the right path. They left the
reported traditions and spoke of the religion according to their own
views. Hence, they went astray and led others astray." He also said,
"By Allaah, the only One worthy of worship, the Sunnah is between the
two extremes. Thus, be patient with it, may Allaah have mercy upon
you. The followers of the Sunnah were thefewest in the past and they
are the fewest among the remaining people. They did not indulge
themselves like some others did, and they were not innovators in
religion like some others were. They remained patient while adhering
to the Sunnah until they met their Lord, so be on the same course –
Allaah willing." He also said, "Allaah does not accept the fasting,
Salaah, Hajj or 'Umrah from the innovator in religion until he gives
up his innovation." He added, "The more acts of worship the innovator
in religion performs, the farther he goes from Allaah The Almighty."
He also said, "Do not sit with an innovator in religion, for he will
cause disease in your heart."
Hassaan ibn 'Attiyyah said, "No people introduce an innovation in
their religion but Allaah The Almighty makes them stop doing one of
the acts of the Sunnah, and does not let them do it until the Day of
Resurrection."
The teachings of the Sunnah are enough for people. Instead of
innovating in religion, letanyone who wants people to do good direct
himself to the guidance of the Prophet, , learn the teachings of the
Sharee'ah and its rituals, and revive the acts of Sunnah that have
been forgotten. There is no contradiction between growing beards or
shortening clothes and boarding planes. Similarly, wearing the Islamic
dress for women does not contradict development of this worldly life.
We are in dire need of creating a civilization based on the
methodology of the Prophet, . We need to achieve development, and this
should be accompanied by adherence to the teachings of the Quran and
Sunnah and avoidinginnovation in religion.
It is worth mentioning that Satan is pleased withinnovation in
religion more than he is pleased with sins. It is a calamity for a
person to be an innovator in religion, because his acts of worship are
not acceptedby Allaah The Almighty. Whoever supports an innovator is
helping to destroy Islam, and whoever marries his daughter off to him
is violating the rights of kinship. A person does not draw nearer to
AllaahThe Almighty except through conformity to the teachings of His
Prophet, .
Anyone who wishes to beclose to Allaah The Almighty via a course other
than imitating the Prophet, , will go astray while thinking that he is
guided. Moreover, all the ways to Allaah The Almighty are blocked
except the way of Muhammad, . Therefore, follow his guidance, no
matter howfew its followers may be. Avoid the ways of misguidance and
do not be allured by the great number of those who aredoomed. - -
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