the religion islam

Innovation (Bid'ah) in Religion

Source: Excerpt from a Book by Iqbal Kilani

Any newly invented act or a deed, done on the basis of piety, without any evidence from Shariah (i.e. Allah's apostle did not do it himself nor allowed anyone else to do it) is called Bid'ah (Innovation in religion).

Most disastrous thing for the religion is Bid'ah. Since it is done on the basis of piety, the person doing it never realizes that it is a sin, and instead of quitting he pursues it. As compared to Bid'ah, other sins have a different outcome. The person recognizes that he is doing a sin, and it pricks his conscience, thus there being a hope that he would leave it one day. It is not the same case with a Bid'ah, because one never realizes that it is a sin but in fact considers it a good deed, so there is no point of leaving it, and this is precisely what the Satan wants (May Allah's curse be upon him). Remember! Bid'ah is unacceptable to Allah (s.w.t). In an authentic hadeeth we find:

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to the graveyard and said: Peace be upon you! the abode of the believing people and we, if Allah so wills, are about to join you. I love to see my brothers. They (the hearers) said: Aren't we your brothers, Messenger of Allah? He said: You are my Companions, and our brothers are those who have, so far, not come into the world. They said: Messenger of Allah, how would you recognize those persons of your Ummah (Community) who have not yet been born? He said: Supposing a man had horses with white blazes on foreheads and legs among horses which were all black, tell me, would he not recognize his own horses? They said: Certainly, Messenger of Allah. He said: They would come with white faces and arms and legs owing to ablution, and I would arrive at the Fountain before them. Some people would be driven away from my Fountain as stray camel is driven away. I would call out: Come, come. Then it would be said: (to me)

These people changed (i.e. the religion) after you; and I would say: Be off, be off [Bukhari & Muslim]

Thus the worship, not according to Sunnah is a deviation from Islam. The method of Praying and the method of Allah's remembrance or celebrating His praise (Zikar), if not according to Sunnah is non-profitable. The charity that is not bestowed according to Sunnah is useless. And that hard work and exertion, which is not according to Sunnah, is futile.
Factors Responsible in Spreading of Bid'ah:

Division of Bid'ah
Taqleed
Blind Passion for Pious People
Disputed Issues
Lack of Knowledge Regarding Authentic Ahaadeeth
Political Reasoning

1. Division of Bid'ah
We find many people with their beliefs and acts based on unauthentic and fabricated ahaadeeth. To justify themselves, they have divided the Bid'ah into two, and have introduced the concept of a Good Bid'ah (Bid'at e Hasanah) and a Bad Bid'ah (Bid'at e Sayyi'ah). Thus a common person, who does not know much about Kitab and Sunnah, is told that the Bad Bid'ah is really a sin but as far as the Good Bid'ah is concerned, it is not a sin (it is considered to be a pious deed).
The truth being that the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) declared all sorts of Bid'ah, a deviation from the right path. According to a hadeeth in Sahih Muslim:

" Jabir b. Abdullah said: ... The best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad (s.a.w) And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and EVERY innovation is error ..." [Muslim]

Back door for this concept of good Bid'ah has caused a great damage via spreading and establishing the Bid'ah. Accepted issues of religion supported by Quran and hadeeth have been taken over by unauthentic and fabricated issues, which in turn has given rise to an innovated religion. For e.g. to support the erroneous concept of Taqleed, the concept of Khilafah is used. Similarly attempts are made to legalize unauthentic practices, by using Islamic terminology and names. Just for the sake of understanding we take the example of various methods which are invented for the remembrance of Allah i.e. (Zikar).

Some verses are recited for a specific number of times in a gathering.

Sometimes a specific time is fixed for praising Allah

Sometimes people get together in circles and praise loudly

Some days are celebrated without any evidence from Sunnah

Similarly innovations have been made in other rituals which makes it clear that the concept of Good Bid'ah has caused a great deal of damage to Islam.
A Misconception:
Abu Shama mentioned in his book (Ba'ith ala Inkar al Bida wal Hawadith) that Harmala bin Yahya said that he heard Imam Shafei saying, Innovations are of two types, appreciable innovations and condemnable innovations. Some people have misunderstood this concept of Imam Shafei and think that all Bid'ah are not bad.
However Imam Shafei himself explains his concept (as mentioned in the same book) and says, "Any innovation that is according to Sunnah is appreciable and that which is against it is condemnable". He derived it from what Umar (r.a) said about Qayam of Ramadan, "This is a good innovation".
Now reflect upon what Shafei said, "Innovation that is according to Sunnah is appreciable". If it is so then how is it an innovation. Innovation is something new in religion, if it is according to Sunnah then how can it be called an innovation. So what does Shafei really mean? His concept can be understood from the example which he quoted i.e. of Umar bin Khattab (r.a) who once saw people praying during Ramadan but not behind one imam. He asked them to pray in congregation behind one imam. When people followed his advice, he (Umar) said: "This is a good innovation".
Now innovation here is in the literal sense i.e. to start something new. Umar (r.a) did not do anything new to add something in religion. He just revived what had already been done in the Prophet's time i.e. The Prophet encouraged people for Qayam of Ramadan and he himself did it in the masjid and some companions followed him (in congregation/Jamat) night after night for a total of three nights. Then this was discontinued in Prophet's time, not because the Prophet held it illegal, but due to the fear that Allah might make this practice compulsory for his followers. After the Prophet passed away and the revelation of Qur'an ceased, the fear of compulsion was gone and the companions agreed upon doing what was done in Prophet's time.
This is what Shafei meant when he said that "Innovation that is according to Sunnah is appreciable". Otherwise think for a moment about the Maghrib Prayer, if instead of two rakaat of Sunnah, someone prays three; then would it be a Good Bid'ah or an alteration in religion?

2. Taqleed
Some people follow their forefathers blindly and thus do specifically what they have been told to do. Even if they are unable to justify their religious deeds; they will still follow their ancestors. Their justification has always been:
" They said: Nay, we found our fathers doing so " [Al-Quran 26:74]

So when standards change, deviation occurs. And deviation from Quran or Sunnah means Bid'ah. Many people are trapped in the chains of Bid'ah just because they are Muqallideen (one who does taqleed) of scholars who lack proper education in religion. Some people are Muqallids of their Rulers and are involved in Bid'ah just because they have to obey them e.g. In some countries it is very common to see the rulers and their followers going to graves of pious people and decorating them. Some people follow their culture and customs blindly and are involved in Bid'ah because of them. So the basic cause in all these scenarios is Taqleed, let that be of anyone.

3. Blind Passion for Pious People
This has always been a trouble. It does not mean that one should have no love or respect for pious people. In fact it is recommended to remain in their company to benefit from them. But the problem arises when this love for them goes blind! Everyone knows what blindness means i.e. one is unable to see. Thus when someone has blind love for them, then even their errors and mistakes are thought of as good deeds and are added in religion. People start following them, having this belief in mind that they are doing good deeds. So much so that dreams, practical experiences and personal observations of the saints and pious persons are considered as part of the religion and are followed while the Sunnah is violated. The outcome is obviously Bid'ah.

4. Disputed Issues
Some people label these deeds of Bid'ah as disputed issues and thus intentionally or unintentionally spread Bid'ah everywhere. It should be very clear that disputed issues are only those that have a hadeeth to support them from both sides. But there is no dispute on issues that do not have any hadeeth to support them from any side e.g. celebrating the death anniversary is one among many issues which were invented long after the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Thus labeling the acts of Bid'ah as disputed issues is nothing but promoting Bid'ah in religion.

5. Lack of Knowledge Regarding Authentic Ahaadeeth
Since it is an obligation to follow The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), many people start following whatever is referred towards him, without investigating its authenticity. There are a very few who research on whatever has been referred towards the Prophet (p.b.u.h), investigating whether it was actually said or done by the Prophet or was just ascribed towards him without any reason. This drawback (lack of investigation) has caused many acts of Bid'ah to propagate in the religion. There are a lot of people who quit immediately the unauthentic acts, after knowing the authentic ones by investigating or by at least proper guidance. So it is an obligation for those who know the difference between the Sahih (Authentic) and Weak Ahaadeeth, to explain this to others. It is very important for those who preach to quote the Hadeeth properly while referring anything towards the Prophet, as this is a great responsibility.

" Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, is reported to have said: What prevents me from reporting many hadiths (Prophetic traditions) is that I heard Allah's Messenger saying: He who intentionally attributes lies to me, surely, will find his abode in Hell-Fire " [Bukhari & Muslim]

Thus it is obligatory for the preachers to investigate and preach only the authentic ahaadeeth to the public. And its the listener's duty to investigate what is being taught, and follow it only when it is absolutely clear, that the teachings are certainly the orders of the Prophet.

6. Political Reasoning
There are many who, while knowing what is Shirk and Bid'ah, are involved in it to get away from the animosity of their leaders. They have statements to pacify everyone e.g.

" It is also allowed this way but its better not to do it; It is allowed according to Mr.xyz but Mr.abc has a different view " etc.

This approach has caused a great confusion among the community with people mixing up the authentic and unauthentic deeds, thus giving rise to Bid'ah. In order to acquire some political gains, these people who once taught others to refrain from Bid'ah have now gradually involved in Bid'ah themselves.