MUHAMM7D
Muslim
Compiled from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah Websites
By Abdullah ibn Ahmad
In the name of Allaah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him, seek His aid, and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can misguide. And whomsoever Allaah allows to go astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, Alone and without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Imagine that o*!n the Day of Judgment, when the sun will be o*!ne mile away and we will be submerged in sweat according to our sins, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) invites us Muslims to drink from the river of Al-Hawd, o*!ne drink from which quenches o*!ne's thirst forever. 1 Then as we approach the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), some will be taken away, and the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) will say, "They are my followers, they are my followers." He will then be told, "You do not know what innovations (in the religion) they made after you." 2
If we are among these disgraced people, we would o*!nly have ourselves to blame, as we are warned of committing bid'ah every Friday at the outset of Khutbat-il-Jum'a (Friday Sermon), as we are warned by Allaah (the Exalted) in the Holy Qur'an, and are warned by Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in the plentiful authentic hadith.
Khatibs around the world warn their listeners, as did the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) warn the companions (radiallaahu anhuma) not to commit bid'ah, a word many justifiably hate, but an act we can't seem to shake free from or care enough about to forbid.
So what is bid'ah? The Shari’ah definition of bid'ah is: "A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Shari’ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof - neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." 3
In other words, bid'ah is inventing a new way to get closer to Allaah - a way that is unsupported by either the Holy Qur'an or the authentic hadith.
Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is nothing that will take you closer to paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to hell but that I have warned you from it. 4
The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also advised us, "I warn you of the newly invented matters (in the religion), and every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire" 5
Some ask, "What's the big deal? We have bigger problems to tackle." Some claim it's between them and Allaah ('azza wa jall). And some claim their intention is "good."
To those who stated there are bigger problems, please understand there is no bigger problem than failing to protect the purity of Islam and failing to stop the division we suffer from. What bigger problem could there possibly be than the dilution of Islam and the deterioration of the deen Allaah chose and perfected for us? And these are just a few of the consequences of bid'ah, as you'll soon read, inshaAllaah, along with their proofs.
As we sit before khatibs today, the companions (sahaabah) sat before the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) 14 centuries ago and heard him say, "And the best speech is the Speech of Allaah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and the worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion)" 6
Notice that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) described bid'ah as "the worst of all affairs." (May Allaah separate us from bid'ah. Ameen.)
Those who claim it's between them and Allaah are mistaken because their fellow worshippers, or their family may witness them and imitate them, starting/continuing a chain of innovation that may spread for generations upon generations of Muslims who take bid'ah as Sunnah or even fard (obligatory). Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee (rahimahullaah) said, "When innovations emerge and the People of Knowledge do not show rejection against them, they become the sunnah [in the mind of the ignorant]." 7
And know that Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said in a long hadith narrated by Jarir bin 'Abdullah, "...And whosoever introduces an evil practice in Islam, will shoulder its sin and the sins of all those who will act upon it, without diminishing in any way their burden." 8
And those who claim their intention is good need to read the following Qur’anic ayah and commentary carefully and sincerely.
Allaah ('azza wa jall) says in Surat Al-Kahf, "So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." {18:110}
Commenting o*!n the ayah, Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) wrote, "So for an action to be acceptable, it has to fulfill two conditions. Firstly, it must be sincere for Allaah alone. Secondly, it must be correct in accordance with the Shari'ah. So if the action is sincere, but not correct, it will not be acceptable." 9
Preceding Ibn Katheer in his statement was Al Fudayl bin Iyaad, a famous taabi'ee (successor of the companions) who said, "The religion of Allaahis the most sincere of it and the most correct of it." It was said, "O Abu 'Ali, what is the most sincere of it and the most correct of it." He (rahimahullah) said, "If an action is sincere and it is not correct then it will not be accepted, and if it is correct and it is not sincere then it will not be accepted, until it is sincere and correct, and it will be sincere if it is (done) for Allaah, and it will be correct if it is done upon the Sunnah." 10
The second requirement for a deed to be accepted by Allaah is that deed's support via authentic proof (the Holy Qur'an or authentic hadith). So even with ikhlas (sincerity) and add to that tears and kushu (humility), the deed will not be accepted by Allaah ('azza wa jall) if Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) didn't do it, command us with it, or allow it.
Allaah says in Surat Al-An'am, "We have neglected nothing in the Book." {6:37} In Surat An-Nahl, Allaah says, "And We have revealed to you a Book explaining everything." {16:89}
Some sects such as Sufis insist upon bid'ah, not for analytical reasons, but because they think they're special and are upon special conditions, and are therefore allowed special ways (tariqas). However, they fail to grasp two major factors: Islam is for everyone, and secondly, which worshipper of Allaah is more special than Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)?
Allaah ('azza wa jall) says, "Or do they have partners that legislate some religion which Allaah has not given permission for?" {42:21}
And the seal of all prophets (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is nothing that Allaah ordered you with except that I have ordered you with it, and there is nothing that Allaah forbade you from except that I have forbidden you from it. 11
These innovators overlook that the deen has already been completed and perfected.
Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) said, "He who innovates an innovation in Islam regarding it as something good, has claimed that Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has betrayed his trust to deliver the message as Allaah says, 'this day I have perfected for you your religion'. And whatsoever was not part of the religion then, is not part of the religion today." 12
Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said, "Therefore, the innovations, in reality are indirect criticisms of the Shari’ah; because they necessitate the implication that the Shari’ah is incomplete and that the innovation is a more perfect form of worship to seek nearness to Allaah as the innovator claims.13
Allaah says in Surat Alee-'Imran, "Say (O Muhammad [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam]): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (follow Qur'an and Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" {3:31}
As you can see, the matter has been made easy for us. The religion is complete; all we have to do is obey. Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu anhu) said, "Verily, we emulate and do not initiate, and we follow and do not innovate." 14
Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said, "Stick to the narrations and the way of the salaf, and beware of the newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" 15
Some people will yet insist, clinging to the words "good bid'ah."
Abdullaah ibn Umar (radi Allaahu ‘anhuma) states, "Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people regard it as good." 16
In a long narration you may have already read, ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu anhu) came upon some gathered in dhikr circles, counting their dhikr with stones inside the masjid. He asked: "What is this that you are doing?" They said: "Oh! Abu Abdur Rahmaan, these are pebbles to count the number of times we say Allaahu Akbar, La ilaaha Illallaah, and Subhaanallaah."
By Abdullah ibn Ahmad
In the name of Allaah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him, seek His aid, and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can misguide. And whomsoever Allaah allows to go astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, Alone and without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Imagine that o*!n the Day of Judgment, when the sun will be o*!ne mile away and we will be submerged in sweat according to our sins, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) invites us Muslims to drink from the river of Al-Hawd, o*!ne drink from which quenches o*!ne's thirst forever. 1 Then as we approach the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), some will be taken away, and the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) will say, "They are my followers, they are my followers." He will then be told, "You do not know what innovations (in the religion) they made after you." 2
If we are among these disgraced people, we would o*!nly have ourselves to blame, as we are warned of committing bid'ah every Friday at the outset of Khutbat-il-Jum'a (Friday Sermon), as we are warned by Allaah (the Exalted) in the Holy Qur'an, and are warned by Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in the plentiful authentic hadith.
Khatibs around the world warn their listeners, as did the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) warn the companions (radiallaahu anhuma) not to commit bid'ah, a word many justifiably hate, but an act we can't seem to shake free from or care enough about to forbid.
So what is bid'ah? The Shari’ah definition of bid'ah is: "A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Shari’ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof - neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." 3
In other words, bid'ah is inventing a new way to get closer to Allaah - a way that is unsupported by either the Holy Qur'an or the authentic hadith.
Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is nothing that will take you closer to paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to hell but that I have warned you from it. 4
The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also advised us, "I warn you of the newly invented matters (in the religion), and every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire" 5
Some ask, "What's the big deal? We have bigger problems to tackle." Some claim it's between them and Allaah ('azza wa jall). And some claim their intention is "good."
To those who stated there are bigger problems, please understand there is no bigger problem than failing to protect the purity of Islam and failing to stop the division we suffer from. What bigger problem could there possibly be than the dilution of Islam and the deterioration of the deen Allaah chose and perfected for us? And these are just a few of the consequences of bid'ah, as you'll soon read, inshaAllaah, along with their proofs.
As we sit before khatibs today, the companions (sahaabah) sat before the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) 14 centuries ago and heard him say, "And the best speech is the Speech of Allaah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and the worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion)" 6
Notice that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) described bid'ah as "the worst of all affairs." (May Allaah separate us from bid'ah. Ameen.)
Those who claim it's between them and Allaah are mistaken because their fellow worshippers, or their family may witness them and imitate them, starting/continuing a chain of innovation that may spread for generations upon generations of Muslims who take bid'ah as Sunnah or even fard (obligatory). Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee (rahimahullaah) said, "When innovations emerge and the People of Knowledge do not show rejection against them, they become the sunnah [in the mind of the ignorant]." 7
And know that Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said in a long hadith narrated by Jarir bin 'Abdullah, "...And whosoever introduces an evil practice in Islam, will shoulder its sin and the sins of all those who will act upon it, without diminishing in any way their burden." 8
And those who claim their intention is good need to read the following Qur’anic ayah and commentary carefully and sincerely.
Allaah ('azza wa jall) says in Surat Al-Kahf, "So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." {18:110}
Commenting o*!n the ayah, Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) wrote, "So for an action to be acceptable, it has to fulfill two conditions. Firstly, it must be sincere for Allaah alone. Secondly, it must be correct in accordance with the Shari'ah. So if the action is sincere, but not correct, it will not be acceptable." 9
Preceding Ibn Katheer in his statement was Al Fudayl bin Iyaad, a famous taabi'ee (successor of the companions) who said, "The religion of Allaahis the most sincere of it and the most correct of it." It was said, "O Abu 'Ali, what is the most sincere of it and the most correct of it." He (rahimahullah) said, "If an action is sincere and it is not correct then it will not be accepted, and if it is correct and it is not sincere then it will not be accepted, until it is sincere and correct, and it will be sincere if it is (done) for Allaah, and it will be correct if it is done upon the Sunnah." 10
The second requirement for a deed to be accepted by Allaah is that deed's support via authentic proof (the Holy Qur'an or authentic hadith). So even with ikhlas (sincerity) and add to that tears and kushu (humility), the deed will not be accepted by Allaah ('azza wa jall) if Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) didn't do it, command us with it, or allow it.
Allaah says in Surat Al-An'am, "We have neglected nothing in the Book." {6:37} In Surat An-Nahl, Allaah says, "And We have revealed to you a Book explaining everything." {16:89}
Some sects such as Sufis insist upon bid'ah, not for analytical reasons, but because they think they're special and are upon special conditions, and are therefore allowed special ways (tariqas). However, they fail to grasp two major factors: Islam is for everyone, and secondly, which worshipper of Allaah is more special than Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)?
Allaah ('azza wa jall) says, "Or do they have partners that legislate some religion which Allaah has not given permission for?" {42:21}
And the seal of all prophets (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is nothing that Allaah ordered you with except that I have ordered you with it, and there is nothing that Allaah forbade you from except that I have forbidden you from it. 11
These innovators overlook that the deen has already been completed and perfected.
Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) said, "He who innovates an innovation in Islam regarding it as something good, has claimed that Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has betrayed his trust to deliver the message as Allaah says, 'this day I have perfected for you your religion'. And whatsoever was not part of the religion then, is not part of the religion today." 12
Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said, "Therefore, the innovations, in reality are indirect criticisms of the Shari’ah; because they necessitate the implication that the Shari’ah is incomplete and that the innovation is a more perfect form of worship to seek nearness to Allaah as the innovator claims.13
Allaah says in Surat Alee-'Imran, "Say (O Muhammad [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam]): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (follow Qur'an and Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" {3:31}
As you can see, the matter has been made easy for us. The religion is complete; all we have to do is obey. Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu anhu) said, "Verily, we emulate and do not initiate, and we follow and do not innovate." 14
Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said, "Stick to the narrations and the way of the salaf, and beware of the newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" 15
Some people will yet insist, clinging to the words "good bid'ah."
Abdullaah ibn Umar (radi Allaahu ‘anhuma) states, "Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people regard it as good." 16
In a long narration you may have already read, ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu anhu) came upon some gathered in dhikr circles, counting their dhikr with stones inside the masjid. He asked: "What is this that you are doing?" They said: "Oh! Abu Abdur Rahmaan, these are pebbles to count the number of times we say Allaahu Akbar, La ilaaha Illallaah, and Subhaanallaah."
