A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Bid’ah and Its Impact on Islam
Recognizing Innovations (Bid’ah)
Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah). Islam is a clear and pure religion, whose teachings and rulings are as evident and manifest as a bright day. However, the Sufis and the innovators (Bid’atis) from among those who claim to follow Islam have, on one hand, disgraced this pure religion in the eyes of non-Muslims, and on the other hand, made it difficult for ordinary Muslims. These innovators have abandoned the true religion, concocting new innovations and false practices. They have clung to them so rigidly, convincing the common people that these practices represent the true religion. They claim that whoever follows these practices is a true Sunni, and whoever does not is considered heretical, an apostate, and even a blasphemer of the Prophet (ﷺ) — may Allah protect us from such a belief.
It is indeed astonishing that the true religion has been sidelined, and those who adhere to it are labeled as rebels, apostates, heretics, and blasphemers, while new innovations are regarded as the true religion. Moreover, those who introduce these innovations regard themselves as the true Sunnis.
“Reason has been labeled as madness, and madness as reason—your magic, O Creator, works in mysterious ways!”
In terms of threats, concerns, and dangers to Islam, what the Jews and Christians could not accomplish, these innovators have succeeded in doing. They have introduced so many innovations into the religion, distorting the true face of Islam. The disbelievers and polytheists attempt to harm the Muslims, while the innovators are damaging the very essence of Islam. In this sense, the innovators pose the greatest threat to Islam. Recognizing this danger, I am making an effort today to explain the reality of innovation to the ordinary Muslims in a simple manner so that they can distinguish it. Perhaps even some of the innovators might realize their mistake, stop harming Islam, and at the very least, save themselves from harm.
There is a long list of innovations, and it is difficult to name them all. However, there are a few well-known innovations that are considered the hallmark of the innovators. I will point out some of them and explain their reality. For instance, some Muslims kiss their thumbs when the name of the Prophet (ﷺ) is mentioned, recite self-made Durood before the Adhan, hold Fatiha ceremonies, celebrate Mawlid, organize festivals at shrines, hold processions, decorate flags, place flowers and sheets on graves, call out Adhan at graves, circumambulate them, prostrate before them, and perform Salah and recite the Quran there. Similarly, other practices include commemorating Ta’ziyah, invoking the dead, seeking intercession through others besides Allah, making vows to others besides Allah, observing Qul, Teja, Saata, Daswan, Chehlum, Gyarween, performing Lakhi fasts, Hazari fasts, Um Dawood prayer, Salat al-Raghaib, Salat Ghawthiya, Khatm Qadiriyya, making offerings for Jafar Sadiq, celebrating Shab-e-Miraj, taking Bai’ah from Pirs, wearing Imam Zamin amulets, mourning rituals, believing in superstitions, and performing self-made Wazifa and Duroods(like Durood Ghawthiya, Durood Taj, Durood Tanjina, Durood Lakhi, etc.). These are the distinguishing practices of the innovators. These acts, along with hundreds of other similar ones, have been introduced in the name of religion, are considered religious duties, and revolve around the lives of the innovators. Many of them die while still engrossed in these innovations.
After mentioning these few innovations, let’s move to the main topic: How can we recognize that these mentioned practices are innovations, and how do we explain to an innovator that these actions should be avoided as they lead to Hell? To answer this, we will first look at the correct definition of innovation (Bid’ah) and, more importantly, understand it from the words of the lawgiver of Sharia, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). A narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, it will be rejected."* (Sahih Bukhari: 2697, Sahih Muslim: 1718, Sunan Abu Dawood: 4606, Sunan Ibn Majah: 14, Mishkat al-Masabih: 140)
In another version in Sahih Muslim, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (religion), it will be rejected." (Sahih Muslim: 1718)
Commenting on this Hadith, Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote:
"This Hadith is one of the great principles of Islam, and it is from the concise words of the Prophet (ﷺ). It is a clear refutation of innovations and new inventions in religion." (Sharh Muslim Nawawi 2/15, Hadith 1718)
Examining Innovators’ Innovations through the Lens of the Hadith:
Looking at the full wording of the Hadith and the commentary of Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), let’s reflect on how this Hadith clearly refutes innovations:
“Whoever introduces“: This refers to someone who introduces a practice based on their own desires and whims.
“into this matter of ours”: Here, “matter” refers to religion, meaning someone introduces a new practice into the religion.
“that is not part of it”: Something that has no basis in the religion. Barelvi scholar Mufti Ahmed Yar Khan Naeemi, in explaining this phrase, writes: “That which goes against the Quran and Hadith.” (Islamic Dawah website: Types of Innovations)
“It will be rejected”: Such actions are rejected and invalid in the sight of Allah and His Messenger.
Now, applying this explanation to one of the innovations as an example: Kissing the thumbs and placing them on the eyes when the name of the Prophet (ﷺ) is mentioned. This is believed to be a religious act that brings reward. However, when we search for this practice in the Quran and Hadith, we find no mention of it. This means that someone invented this practice, believing it to be part of the religion. This is called innovation, and in the sight of Allah and His Messenger, it is rejected.
Addressing the Innovators’ Doubts:
Now let’s address some of the misconceptions raised by the innovators to further clarify the reality of innovations. I will discuss three major doubts and one significant misunderstanding commonly presented by the innovators.
First Doubt: When we tell the innovators that kissing the thumbs or celebrating Mawlid are innovations because there is no instruction for them in the Quran or Hadith, they respond by saying: “There were no cars, buses, trains, or planes during the Prophet’s time, yet you use them. Isn’t this an innovation? You yourself didn’t exist during the Prophet’s time, so aren’t you an innovation too?”
Answer: To understand this objection, let’s review the aforementioned hadith of the Prophet once again. In the explanation of this hadith, I summarized four points. The first point is that any action invented on one’s own, as indicated by the words “man ‘amila ‘amalan” (whoever performs an action), is clearly understood. The second point is that new acts should be introduced into the religion, not in worldly matters. The third point is that the new invention must not be from the Qur’an or Hadith. Then the new action is a bid’ah (innovation), which is rejected, and this is the fourth point.
When an innovator says that trains did not exist during the Prophet’s time, yet you ride them, why don’t you consider that a bid’ah? We will respond by saying, “When did we ever claim that the usage of something not present in the Prophet’s time is bid’ah? We have never said such a thing, but you do.” We define bid’ah as the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us: Whoever introduces a new practice into the religion that is not from the Qur’an and Sunnah, that practice is rejected. Now, tell me, is a train an action or a deed? It is a tool, and bid’ah is related to actions, not objects. Secondly, is the invention of the train a matter related to religion or to worldly affairs? Obviously, even a person with limited understanding would say it’s a worldly matter, while the Prophet defined bid’ah as introducing new practices into religious matters.
Second objection: Another common objection among people is, “You say such and such action is bid’ah, but another scholar says this action is part of the religion, and performing it will earn a reward. So, whom should we believe? You are also a scholar, and he is also a scholar. Whose opinion should we accept?”
Answer: I will explain this objection by providing an example from religious practices. When you pray, you first make an intention, then say the takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and fold your hands, then stand in qiyam (standing), then bow in ruku (bowing), and then prostrate in sujood (prostration). This completes one unit of prayer (rak’ah), and you perform the second rak’ah in the same way. In a two-unit prayer, after the second rak’ah, you sit in qa’dah and end the prayer with salutations (salaam). In the Maghrib prayer, you sit after the second rak’ah, and then stand for the third. After completing the third rak’ah, you sit again and end the prayer with salaam. In the Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers, you pray four units each. Why do you pray in this particular manner? Isn’t it because the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to pray this way? As narrated in Bukhari, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
Similarly, when you perform Hajj, you begin the rites on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah by heading to Mina, then to Arafat on the Day of Arafah, and after sunset, you go to Muzdalifah. After spending the night in Muzdalifah, you proceed to Jamarat, and on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, you throw stones at the largest pillar (Jamrat Al-Aqaba). After that, you offer a sacrifice, shave your head, and then perform the tawaf al-ifadah and sa’i at the Sacred Mosque. Then you return to Mina for the days of Tashreeq and throw stones at all three Jamarat each day. Finally, you perform the farewell circumambulation (tawaf al-wada’) and return home. Why do you perform Hajj in this specific way? Is it because a saint or a pious person told you to do so? No, rather, you do it because it is the command of Allah and His Messenger. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Take your Hajj rites from me” (Sahih al-Jami’: 7882).
I’ve given examples of prayer and Hajj, but the same applies to the entire religion, the essence of which is that we only do what Allah and His Messenger have commanded. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Certainly, you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example” (Al-Ahzab: 21).
In another verse, Allah says:
“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger” (An-Nisa: 59)
Therefore, if a scholar teaches you an innovation or tells you something for which there is no evidence, you must not follow that scholar, as the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade innovation. Rather, follow only those scholars who guide according to the Qur’an and Sunnah because religion is based on these two sources.
Third objection: A third objection raised by the public is, “If someone does something with the intention of earning reward, what’s wrong with that? The intention is good.”
Answer: In response, we say that a good intention alone is not enough; the action must also be in accordance with the Sunnah. Otherwise, that action will be labeled as bid’ah, which is rejected and invalid in the sight of Allah and His Messenger. Let’s examine this objection in light of a hadith to see the harm in committing bid’ah.
In Sahih Bukhari (5063), Anas bin Malik narrated that a group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) asking how the Prophet (ﷺ) worshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, “Where are we from the Prophet (ﷺ) as his past and future sins have been forgiven.” Then one of them said, “I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever.” The other said, “I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast.” The third said, “I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came to them and said, “Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers).
Reflect carefully on this hadith: on one side, there are three highly esteemed Companions, and on the other side, their intentions were also good. Then why did the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stop them from their good intentions? What was wrong with their actions? The issue was that their actions were against the Sunnah. That is why the Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever acts contrary to the Sunnah is not among us. You can see that, despite good intentions, actions are rejected due to violating the Sunnah. This is the case with every form of innovation (Bid’ah) — every Bid’ah is rejected.
The Misconception of Dividing Innovation into Good and Bad:
Those who innovate introduce a misconception among the public. This misconception is that Islam has not forbidden all kinds of innovation, rather, some innovations are good, and we can practice them, while others are bad and should be avoided. In other words, these innovators have divided innovations into two categories: good (Hasanah) and bad (Sayyiah). The purpose of this division is to justify the innovations and fabrications they have introduced into the religion, to convince people that the innovations they practice are good and not sinful, and that only the bad innovations are sinful.
In reality, this division of innovation is as imaginary and fabricated as their other fabrications. If somewhere the term “Bid’ah Hasanah” (good innovation) is mentioned, it is in the literal sense, while in Shariah, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has declared every kind of innovation to be misguidance. Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that after praising Allah in his sermon, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say:
“The most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of affairs are the newly introduced matters, and every newly introduced matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Hellfire.”
(Sahih Sunan An-Nasa’i: 1579)
This hadith makes it clear that any new action in religion will be considered an innovation, so saying that some innovations are good and some are bad is incorrect and against the teachings of the Prophet.
The Status of Innovators:
Now let’s understand the status of those who innovate. These people claim that they love the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) the most, that they send the most blessings upon him, and that they will be with the Prophet in the Hereafter, that they will receive his intercession, and enter Paradise. Expressing similar sentiments, a Barelvi poet, Jamil-ur-Rahman Rizvi Qadri, says in the concluding couplet of his praise:
“I am a Sunni, Jameel Qadri, after my death, even my body will say ‘Peace and Blessings’.”
But the reality of their claim can be understood from the above-mentioned hadith. On one hand, the Prophet teaches that the most truthful book is the Qur’an and the best guidance is that of Muhammad (ﷺ). Yet, these people use the name of the Prophet, but their actions are all based on innovations. Can people who deviate from the Qur’an and the way of Muhammad (ﷺ) be true lovers of the Prophet? Certainly not. An innovator who claims to be a true lover of the Prophet is making a false and hollow claim. That is why the Prophet has already warned us about these innovators, stating that every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance leads to Hellfire. How can one hope for the Prophet’s intercession for an act that leads to Hell? Not only this, but Allah will inform the Prophet about the innovations of these people on the Day of Judgment. When the innovators approach the Pool of Kawthar, they will be driven away. In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Some of my companions will come to me at my Lake Fount, and after I recognize them, they will then be taken away from me, whereupon I will say, ‘My companions!’ Then it will be said, ‘You do not know what they innovated (new things) in the religion after you.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 6582)
How strange is the condition of the innovators? They spent their entire lives chanting “Ya Rasul Allah,” celebrating the Prophet’s birth, taking out processions, raising flags, standing in respect of the Prophet, collectively reciting blessings while standing, kissing their thumbs — yet the result was that they were distanced from the Prophet and the Pool of Kawthar in the Hereafter.
“Neither did they attain God, nor the union with the beloved. They were left neither here nor there.”
I appeal to those who have been led astray knowingly or unknowingly: there is still time, repent from past sins, and to become true lovers of the Prophet and to drink from his blessed hands at the Pool of Kawthar, act according to the teachings of the Qur’an and the pure Sunnah of the Prophet. I pray to Allah that this article becomes a means of guidance for those who have gone astray.
Note: Those who wish to listen to a video lecture on this topic can watch the author’s YouTube channel, where a talk titled “Recognize Bid’ah” was uploaded on February 5, 2022.
Written By: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (Hafizahullah)
(Jeddah Dawah Center – Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia)
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail