Firstly, we should know what "bid'ah" means according to Islamic teaching.
It is defined as: any invented way in
religion that is aimed at worshiping or drawing closer to Allaah. This
means anything that is not referred to specifically in Sharee'ah, and
for which there is no evidence (daleel)
in the Qur'aan or Sunnah, and which was not known at the time of the
Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and his Companions. At the same
time, it is quite obvious that this definition of religious inventions
or innovations, which are condemned, does not include worldly inventions
such as cars and washing machines, etc.
There are a few extremely important hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) that mention general principles (qawa`id)
regarding actions and their validity. From the Mother of the believers,
`A’isha (Allah be well pleased with her) who said that the Messenger of
Allah said:
« من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردٌّ»
“Whoever innovates something in this command of ours that is not of it, it will be rejected”
« وَمَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ »
“Whoever does an action not based on our commands, it will be rejected”. (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This is one of the comprehensive statements of the prophet (PBUH) which is the basis for several fundamental principles. It provides a criterion for evaluation of the visible aspects of one's deeds, complementing the hadith, ''Deeds are only by intention,'' which deals with the unapparent aspect. Combining the import of both.
Scholars have concluded that there are two conditions for the acceptability of any deed by Allah(swt);
1-Sincerity of intention (Ikhlas), i.e., it must be done for the sake of Allah alone.
2- Correctness (sawab),i.e, it must be done in the way ordained by Him in the quran and sunnah of the prophet (PBUH).
*This hadith warns against innovation (bid'ah) in all matters of religion. In this context the word "matter" (amr) carries the meaning of religious practice and law. "Rejected" means that the deed is unacceptable to Allah and so it will not be rewarded.
* Its a clear prohibition against making any changes in or additions to the religion and warns those sects differing in their ways, for anything claimed to be a valid religious practice must be based upon a proof from the qur'an and sunnah. That is because Allah (subhanhu wa ta'ala) has completed and perfected the religion of islam which He ordained for mankind as stated in Sural al -Ma'idah 5:v3
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you,and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
*One who asserts otherwise by insistence on some alternative way places himself in danger of falling into disbelief through his contradiction of the Quran and refusal of disobedience to the prophet (PBUH)
The messenger of Allah (SAW) elaborated further when he said, "Indeed the best statement is the book of Allah, and the best guidance of Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihi wasallam). And the worst of matters are the newly devised ones, and every innovation is misguidance.'' and again this refers to matters of religion and not those of worldly life
This hadith is one which should be memorized, made known to people, and employed for the prevention of every kind of wrongdoing. Few people give attention to deviations in the more private sphere of worship, particularly when an ignorant majority has been led by custom or by some "shaykh'' to believe that certain innovations are good and are valid ways to seeking nearness to Allah. These innovations are practices that have no basis in the sunnah.
AWARENES IS THE FIRST STEP TO AMENDMENT
Any act performed with sincere intention of drawing nearer to Allah must be first be ordained by Him either through His Books or through His Prophet. Then it must be done precisely in the way demonstrated or instructed by the Messenger of Allah, who was sent to mankind with complete guidance in all matters of faith and its application to the affairs of human life.
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