The Misconceptions of Bid'ah

Ibn ‘Abdallaah

It’s Meaning, Aspects, Dangers, and the Solution

Islam, the religion of Muslims, is based on only one teaching of one 'true' Islam. There is no such thing as different versions of Islam or different types or classes of this Deen. The true path is only one way which lies under the shade of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the understanding of the Companions.

As was illustrated by our beloved Prophet s.a.w and was narrated by Ibn Mas'ud that one day the Prophet s.a.w drew a straight line on the ground and He said, "This is the path of Allah." Then he drew some lines to the left and right to it and said, "These are the erred paths and on each of these paths, there is Shaytaan calling to it." Then he recited the following verse from Al-Qur’an:

“Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you that ye may be righteous.” [Al-An’am, 6:153]

In fact, in Al-Qur’an, when Allah s.w.t describes the truth, it is always described as singular. The word 'An-Noor' which is singular is used for the truth, as opposed to 'zulumath' which is plural. It is a prime example from Al-Qur’an the clearly shows us that the right way is one way only. Any deviation from the true path is not an acceptable 'branch' of Islam but as the scholars call it, is a "Bid'ah”.

Unfortunately, due to several reasons, the concept of "Bid'ah" is not as clear to everyone as it should be. A reason for that is a lot of people are confused about the supposed “Good Bid'ah” or "Bid'ah Hasanah”. Secondly, there are many things which we do now that were not done at the time of Prophet s.a.w. With the outset of such widespread "Bid'ah", people are confused, and rightly so, as to what is actually SUNNAH and what in religion is not sunnah- i.e. "Bid'ah"

These misconceptions call for the need to establish the fundamental step which is to know "Bid'ah”, the concepts of "Bid'ah” according to Ahl-Sunnah Wal Jamaah and the aspects of "Bid'ah”.

Its Meaning: Heresy; innovation.

"Any invented act or path in the religion that is made to compete or resemble the Shari’ah and that is followed for the same purpose as Shari’ah is supposed to be followed."

From this definition and from the statements of Prophet s.a.w about "Bid'ah” or innovation, we can come up with some general ideas or concepts about "Bid'ah” that explains this definition.

Aspects of Bid'ah.

Some of the aspects or concepts of "Bid'ah" are as follow:

1. Every Bid'ah is Dhalalah.

Linguistically "Bid'ah" is something which is new or something which was not done before, i.e., it has no precedent. From the point of view of Shari’ah, every "Bid'ah" is Dhalalah and there is no such thing as 'good bid'ah”. Prophet s.a.w said in an ahadith, "Kullu dhalalatin fin naar (every dhalalah is in hellfire)."

Dhalalah means to be astray or to be away from the truth. If we look in Al-Qur’an, we will see how Allah s.w.t used the word 'dhalalah' or 'dhal'. It is not used for the one who commits a sin or makes a mistake with respect to ‘the deen’ but it is used for those people who have gone astray form the straight path or who have divided the religion. In Surah Fatihah, first chapter of Al-Qur’an, the word 'Dhalleen' is not used for mere sinners but it is used for people who have gone astray form the true path, the Christians.

So when Prophet s.a.w described "Bid'ah", he used the harsher form of deviation, i.e. dhalalah, as he said, “Kullu bid'atin dhalalah (every "Bid'ah" is dhalalah)." He didn't just say that every "Bid'ah" is a sin or is wrong but in fact it is something much greater than that. It is a misguidance, something that takes us AWAY from the right path.

2. Bid'ah is performed as a way of pleasing and getting closer to Allah s.w.t.

In other words, when someone follows a "Bid'ah”, he claims that by doing this he will be closer to Allah s.w.t. This is much different from committing a sin. As Ahmad Ibn Hanbal r.a once said, "The greatest sinner (fasiq) from the Ahl-Sunnah Wal Jamaah is better than the most pious person from Ahl-"Bid'ah".

The sinner, at least, knows that whatever he is doing is wrong and does not claim that it's halal and should be done to please Allah s.w.t and so on. However, the one who commits "Bid'ah" not only goes against Al-Qur’an and Sunnah but also claims that what he does is pleasing to Allah s.w.t and a way of getting closer to Him. And this is one of the greatest lies one can commit to say that some act is pleasing to Allah and has no proof from Allah s.w.t about his claim.

So part of the concept of "Bid'ah" is that one who commits it claims that it is approved by the religion and Shari’ah and it is beloved to Allah s.w.t. This is also one of the dividing points between what “Bid’ah” is and what is not.

3. Bid'ah can be both in inventing new actions and in shunning an action.

Meaning, when someone originates a new practice saying that it is approved by Shari’ah without a proof is "Bid'ah". In the same way, when someone avoids something claiming that by avoiding such and such practice he is pleasing Allah and has no proof of its source be it from Al-Qur’an or Sunnah is also "Bid'ah".

As an illustration, during the time of Prophet s.a.w three persons came to him offering their types of '"Bid'ahs". One claimed that he will pray the whole night, every night for the rest of his life. One claimed that he will fast every day in the future and the third one said that he will never marry. The Prophet s.a.w was swift in his disapproval of these "good" Bid'ahs (at the outset, one would think how anything could be wrong with worshipping Allah all the time). The Prophet s.a.w told these people that he was the best among all mankind and that he prayed some part of the night and slept another part, that he fasted some days while did not in others and that he was married. While the first two wanted to increase their worship beyond what Shari’ah requires, the third person intended to avoid marriage or shun or elude something which is totally legal in Shari’ah and approved by Allah s.w.t. Like the Christian monks and priests and the 'Muslim' Sufis claim that by not marrying they are pleasing Allah s.w.t is "Bid'ah" and against Islam. Or if a vegetarian claims that by not harming a living soul he is pleasing Allah is also "Bid'ah" because Allah has allowed it and made it halal for us to eat the meat of animals (of course, only the animals He has made halal).

4. A BID'AH could be created in all aspect Shari’ah.

Shari’ah comprises Aqeedah, beliefs, acts of worship and business or public dealings (mu’amalat). So, "Bid'ah" is not just in matters of aqeedah or acts of worship but it could also be in business or public dealings. For example, if a person claims that four witnesses are required for business deal rather than the two that are instituted by Islam then he or she is exceeding the limits of Shari’ah and falling into "Bid'ah".

5. Bid’ah has no source and or evidence in Al-Qur’an, Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w and or in Ijma’ (agreement) of Sahabah’s.

One famous example that is quoted by the Ahl-Bid'ah in their desire to make some forms of "Bid'ah" halal is the example of Umar r.a and the tarawih prayers. They claim that since Umar r.a started daily tarawih prayers in Ramadhan while the Prophet s.a.w only performed it three nights, and Umar r.a said that he started a good "Bid'ah” that we can accept the concept of "Bid'ah". However, this is a failure to distinguish the linguistic meaning of "Bid'ah" from its Shari’ah meaning. For instance Allah refers in Al-Qur’an to his Sunnah. Obviously when one refers to SUNNAH, it is a reference to the Prophet's Sunnah and its Shari’ah aspects. Similarly when Umar r.a referred to the regular tarawih prayers, he was only referring to the linguistic meaning. The proof for this claim is clear. Tarawih prayers were not some new practice in religion. The Prophet s.a.w instituted the tarawih prayers. The only reason that he stopped after three nights was clarified in his own saying that he did not wish that the tarawih prayers be made obligatory upon the Muslims. However, at the Prophet's death, the message of Islam had been perfected and tarawih prayers would always be recommended and not mandatory. Thus, Umar r.a only started the practice of regularly performing a Sunnah not STARTING a Sunnah.

It must be understood that "Bid'ah" is not only a new invention in the religion claimed to be pleasing Allah s.w.t; but the one who creates and the one who follows "Bid'ah" actually assert that there is some shortcoming in the deen. In reality, they are stating that there is some way to get closer to Allah s.w.t and to please Him that is not found in Al-Qur’an or the Sunnah of Prophet s.a.w. That they have found a way to believe or act and to worship Allah that is pleasing to Him and which is BETTER than the way of Prophet s.a.w. That this perfect Deen of Islam is missing something in it and that is why they are adding something to it or this Deen had too much in it and that is why they are taking something's away. This, in essence, is "Bid'ah" - the concept of a not-so-wholesome Deen.

It is indeed an insult (Na’udzubillah) to Allah s.w.t to say that He could not reveal or teach Prophet s.a.w the best way and so they had to find the best way on their own. It is also a denial to what Allah s.w.t Himself said in Al-Qur’an:

"Today, I have completed and perfected your religion for you and chose Islam for you as your Deen" [Al-Maidah, 5:3]

It is also a denial to what Prophet s.a.w said:

· "There is nothing that shall take you closer to Allah s.w.t than what He has told you to do and nothing will take you away than what He has prohibited."

· "Whoever does an action which we have not commanded will have it rejected"

Hence, we must hate "Bid'ah". This is the bottom-line. This hatred is one of the aspects of our love for Allah and the Prophet s.a.w and love for a Deen that we know is perfect and will always remain so.

Dangers of Bid'ah.

Shaikh Mohammed Sharuut wrote in his book on "Bid'ah" that if the dangers of "Bid'ah" were restricted simply to the person who follows it, then maybe we would not get as upset or as worried as we are now, but in fact, the dangers of "Bid'ah" and the harms and evils of "Bid'ah" spread from the person following it to the people he is around and finally to the entire Ummah. The Deen as a whole is affected because of their heresy and innovations.

Here are some dangers of "Bid'ah”.

1. Bid'ah causes disunity in the Ummah.

It is first and foremost because of Ahl-"Bid'ah" that there is division and fractionalization among this Ummah. This is proven very clearly from history. All of the Sahabah’s were following the way of Prophet s.a.w. They all loved and cared for each other even when they had a difference of Ijtihad after Uthmaan r.a. They fought with Ali r.a and Mu'awiyah r.a against each other but they would still take Ahadith from each other, pray together and marry their daughters to each other. Their fight was due to their difference of Ijtihad but their love was still for the sake of Allah and they were still united on the way of Prophet s.a.w. However, when the Khawarij brought out their ideas during the famous battle of camel between Mu'awiyah and Ali (r.a on both), many Muslims split from the ranks of the Ahl-Sunnah and hence became the first of the Ahl-"Bid'ah" (the people of "Bid'ah"). It is interesting to note that not even ONE Sahabah was present among the Khawarij which in itself speaks of many volumes.

Hence, when it comes to Ahl-"Bid'ah", the situation becomes totally different. The Ummah split because of Ahl-"Bid'ah”. When they bring their new ideas and acts of worship to the religion, the one group that is always supposed to be sticking to the truth (as Prophet had mentioned) i.e. the Ahl-Sunnah, reject these heretic ideas. They refuse to accept Ahl-"Bid'ahs" concepts and methodology.

The general statement made by various 'scholars' of today, "We all should overcome our differences and be united and fight with Kuffar", is a nice statement as a theory. However, practically it is not acceptable because we cannot be united with people who do not agree with all tenants of Qur’an and Sunnah. It is our duty to oppose people when we see them following "Bid'ah" once the evidence has been established.

2. Bid'ah is the cause of Fitnah (test or trials) or severe punishment for this Ummah.

By definition the people of "Bid'ah" are refusing to follow the commands and orders of Prophet s.a.w. Allah s.w.t says in Al-Qur’an:

"For those people who are differing from the commands of Prophet, there will come to them either a Fitnah (test or trial from Allah) or a severe punishment."

Once Imam Malik was asked about putting on the Ihram from the Prophet's mosque rather than the miqaat. He said, "I fear for that person that some fitnah will come to him." The man said, "Why? I am just adding a little to the boundaries of ihram." Since by doing so, he was going against the commands of Prophet s.a.w, Imam Malik recited the above verse from Al-Qur’an.

3. Bid'ah is the source of fasaad (evils) in the Ummah.

If we look at the Shari’ah, the laws of Allah based on Al-Qur’an and Sunnah, it was meant for the well-being of mankind in this world and in hereafter. Anytime we go astray from the true teachings and accept any law other than Al-Qur’an and Sunnah then we miss that well-being (maslahah) and replace it with fasaad. By bringing new methodologies or concepts, the Ahl-"Bid'ah" actually change the way that will bring the most happiness in here and in hereafter to a way that will not bring the 'maslahah' (well-being).

4. Bid'ah cause Sunnah to die and creates hatred for Sunnah.

Whenever people introduce any "Bid'ah" it usually replaces some Sunnah. Or people add to Sunnah to the point where Sunnah is not practiced correctly anymore.

Ibn Abbas said, "When "Bid'ah" is created then the Sunnah dies and this continues until that "Bid'ah" is living and the Sunnah is dead."

Hasan Ibn Attiya, one of the Tabi’ien said, "When the people accept the "Bid'ah”, Allah removes the Sunnah from among them and doesn't return it until the Day of Judgment."

So, not only does "Bid'ah" cause the Sunnah to die but at the same time it causes hatred for the Sunnah. Ahl-"Bid'ah" not only refuses to accept the actual Sunnah but also avoid going to the masjid or places where Sunnah is practiced. For instance, they show great disdain at Muslims that pray with their shoes on while this is an established Sunnah. It is common to see these Ahl-"Bid'ah" going at great lengths to describe the filth that shoes carry and it would not be 'right' to pray wearing them. Why do these same people forget that it is not 'right' to make a decision on the religion of Allah, the sole owner of this Deen? Allah s.w.t knows what is beneath our shoes or what was beneath the Sahabah’s shoes or the Prophet's s.a.w shoes but he still allowed it and as Muslims, we are to hear and obey (as the Qur’an instructs us) and not to pass judgments. That is what happens when the "Bid'ah" spreads. Much hatred is created for the Sunnah that it gets hard for people to follow Sunnah. They get continuous pressure to change their ways. And even if there are some people who truly want to follow the Sunnah, Ahl-"Bid'ah" confuse them so much and mix the lies with truth so much so that they get totally puzzled by Ahl-"Bid'ahs" arguments and end up following the "Bid'ah". They get pulled into "Bid'ah" and they are not able to see the truth anymore, although they were sincere to Allah s.w.t. So, Insha’Allah, Allah will judge them according to their intentions but we know well that actions that are not within the fold of Al-Qur’an and Sunnah are unacceptable irrespective of the intentions behind them.

5. Bid'ah is a stepping stone to Kufur.

One of the early scholars, Al-Barbahari, one of the companions of Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, said, "Beware of "Bid'ah", because every "Bid'ah" started out as something small and resembling the truth and people were fooled by it and followed it until it became bigger and bigger and were trapped by it and it took them out of Islam."

Ibn Taimiyyah has a nice passage in one of his books showing that: "In fact, the Kufur of Jews and Christians is because of "Bid'ah". They introduced new things into the religion and those things took them completely away from the true message of Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) Alaihumma Salam".

6. For the Ummah as a whole, Bid'ah hurts the spreading of Islam and Da’awah for the sake of Allah.

One of the easiest ways is that usually the ideas of Ahl-"Bid'ah" are used by the enemies of Islam to portray Islam. Most times TV shows will portray Islam as Sufis making 'dzikir' which in fact has nothing to do with Islam. They are setting these things up to make people run away from Islam because belief of Ahl-"Bid'ah" is not from the 'fitrah'. Only 'real' Islam contains the fitrah and people will not be attracted to something which goes against the fitrah. For instance, the group of Farrakhan, the nation of Islam being portrayed by the Kuffars as an 'Islamic' group. Someone who is looking for the 'truth' will never be attracted to their ideas and beliefs which are being spread in the name of Islam.

7. Individually, BID'AH destroys the Akhirat of the person.

The best example is like the termite being allowed to live in wood. Imagine "Bid'ah" is the termite and the person is the wood. Sooner or later the person will be ruined because it is clearly shown by the several hadith of Prophet s.a.w. Bid'ah will be rejected in the hellfire. Allah s.w.t puts a barrier between the person committing "Bid'ah" and repentance. This person and his supporters are cursed by Allah and the angels. He will be turned away from the fountain of Prophet s.a.w on the Day of Judgment. His deeds will be rejected as long as he commits the "Bid'ah". He will be thinking in the world that he is doing something pleasing to Allah, whereas, in hereafter, he will find out that there is no benefit to what he did. He will not only bear the burden of his "Bid'ah" but also of anyone who followed him.

Solution to Avoid Bid'ah.

First of all, the people claiming to follow the Sunnah and being from Ahl-Sunnah Wal Jamaah have to realize the dangers of bid’ah and how it is an obligation upon them to hate and oppose "Bid'ah". For instance, if a group tries to oppose a "Bid'ah", the first people to come and defend the Bid'ah are the ones who claim to be from Ahl-Sunnah. They say that they should not impose things and give people freedom of what they are doing and so on.

This is at best weird because when anything goes against Al-Qur’an and Sunnah then there is no such thing as giving others freedom of doing what they want. This is basically, due to the lack of understanding of Bid'ah.

Secondly, we have to establish "Amara bil ma’ruuf wa naheen anil munkar (ordering good and forbidding evil)." Bid'ah is a kind of high Munkar (evil) and Prophet s.a.w has clearly told us in an ahadith that we should stop Munkar with the best of our abilities.

Last but not least, we should educate ourselves about the 'real' Sunnah of Prophet s.a.w and find out what is Bid'ah and what is not. We have to look at the Tafsir (explanation) of Al-Qur’an as well as the hadith of the Prophet s.a.w. When understanding the verses of Al-Qur’an and the hadith we have to take into consideration the context and the time of the revelation of the verse or the hadith of Prophet s.a.w.

For instance, many people misinterpret the hadith of the Prophet s.a.w where he mentioned the reward of those who introduce a good practice in Islam, with introducing 'innovations' in Islam. However, if one reads the earlier portion of this Hadith in Sahih Muslim, it clarifies the misconception. Prophet s.a.w said it when he saw some poor people sitting outside the masjid and no one helped them. The Prophet s.a.w was unhappy and delivered a sermon reminding people to fear Allah s.w.t. After the speech someone brought a big load of charity and give it to those people. When others saw him doing so, they all started giving charity to those people until the expression of Prophet’s face changed from anger to happiness.

Basically, the man gave charity, which is an allowable and a good act from Shari’ah. So, if someone does an act which people have been neglecting, and is an allowable act and in accordance of Shari’ah and people follow him then he gets his reward and reward for being followed without either one's reward being reduced. This constitutes the literal meaning of a Sunnah Hasanah (Good Sunnah), it has no relation whatsoever to the Shari’ah meaning of Bid'ah. The same applies for an evil act.

May Allah protect us from committing Bid'ah and guide us all to the His path and help us in strengthening our faith. All the good is from Allah s.w.t and His Messenger s.a.w and all the evil is form me and Shaytaan.
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Source: Published in Qur’aan.com