Bid’ah )Innovation( - I

The Islamic definition of Bid'ah:
Imaam Ash-Shaafi'isaid: "A Bid'ah is anything that has no basis in the
Quran, Sunnah or sayings of any of the companions."
Ibn Al-Jawzisaid: "A Bid'ah is any form of worship that did not exist
)at the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallm, and his
companions( then later itwas innovated."
Ibn Rajabsaid: "A Bid'ah is any form of worship which has no basis in
the Sharee'ah )Islamic Law(."
General rules to recognise a Bid'ah:
• Any act of worship which is based on a fabricated narration, like
the prayer in the month of Rajab which is called the prayer of
Raghaa'ib.
• Any act of worship which the Prophetdid not perform, although there
were no preventing factors, like uttering the intention before
beginning the prayer, calling Adhaan for any prayer other thanthe five
obligatory ones or praying after finishingSa'y between mount Safaa and
Marwah.
• Any habitual act performed with the intention of pleasing Allaah
which Islam did not consider as an act or worship, such as for
example: wearing coarse woollen clothes, continuous silence,
refraining from eating bread or meat, etc.
• Performing prohibitions acts with the intention of pleasing Allaah,
such as singing songs about Him.
Moreover, all acts of worship must be performed in exactly the same
manner as the Prophetdid them. Thiscannot be achieved unless the
following six conditions are fulfilled:
1. The act of worship must coincide with the 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.
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 horseinstead 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'ahs 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 ablution
by washing his feet instead of his hands, thenthis act would be
unacceptable.
5. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee'ah in the timing
of its performance. Therefore, praying noon prayer after sunset is
unacceptable.
6. The act of worship must coincide with the Sharee'ah in the place in
which it is performed. Therefore, one cannot perform stand on a
mountain other than 'Arafah during Hajj.
The dangers of Bid'ah and their evil effects:
• Bid'ah is a pre-cursor todisbelief.
• Making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah.
• Correcting the Prophetor claiming that he had deficiencies.
• Dividing the Muslim nation.
• Abandoning the Sunnah.
• Igniting disputes among the Muslims.
• Accusing the Prophetof not completely conveying the message of Islam.
• Altering the religion.
Claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators and their refutations:
Claimed Evidence:
• The Prophetsaid:"Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will
get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it
until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practicein
Islam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those
who do it until the Day of Resurrection."]Muslim[
Refutation:
• Imaam Ash-Shaatibianswered those who attempt to use this narration
as evidence of the permissibility of innovating by saying: "Using this
narration as an evidence )to nnovate( implies that different evidences
contradict one another )because in other narrations, the
Prophetunequivocally warnedagainst innovating(." Then he said: "The
context of this narration is that it was said in a situation where
charity was being given, and charity is something already legislated.
The proof of this is actually tobe found in the very same narration,
if you were to read it all, as Jareer Ibn 'Abdullaah Al-Bujalisaid:
"We were with the Prophet)in the mosque(, just after dawn one day when
some people entered barefooted and clad in woollen matting )or covered
with sleeveless woollen blankets( with their swords hung around their
necks. Most of them belonged to the tribe of Mudhar. The face of the
Prophetturned pale due to their wretched condition. Then, the
Prophetwent into his house, re-emerged and commanded Bilaal to call
the Adhaan, and the Iqaamah and then heled the prayer. After the
prayer, the Prophetstood up and addressed people saying )which
means(:"O mankind! Fearyour Lord, who created you from one soul and
created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and
women. And fear Allaah, through whom you ask one another, and the
wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer."]Quran; 4:1["O
you who have believed! Fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it
has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is
Acquainted with what you do."]Quran; 59:18[. Then, the Prophetsaid:
"Give in charity from )what you possess of( Deenaars )gold coins( and
Dirhams )silver oins( a Saa' )a small measure of weight( of wheat or
even a Saa' of dates." until hesaid: "Give, even if it as little
ashalf a date." Thereupon, a man from the Ansaar )residents of
Madeenah( came with a bag of food which was so heavy that it was
difficult for him to carry. Thereafter, people came successively until
I saw two huge piles of food and clothes, and theProphet'sface was
bright as a glittering golden coin )due to his happiness(. Then the
Messengersaid:"Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get
the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until
the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practicein Islam
will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do
it until the Day of Resurrection.""]Muslim[
Therefore, it is obvious that this narration refers to deeds that are
already legislated and proven to already exist in the religion, which
in this case was giving charity.