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Innovation in Islaam
Innovation in Islaam is the invention, creation or addition of any religious
matter which was not (originally) found in Islaam. Therefore, Islaam warns
against it and invalidates any religious deed which does not originate from the
Qur'aan and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, says
in this respect:
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"He who innovates something that
is not in agreement with our matter (religion), will have it
rejected." [Al-Bukharee and Muslim] |
This is because innovation in religion is an opposition to Islaam; it implies
that our religion is incomplete and imperfect with regards to the matters of
worship. Shaikh Ibn 'Uthaimeen says: "Innovation entails
the adoption of dangerous ways":
- It entails the refutation of Allaah's words; "this
day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and
have chosen for you Islaam as your religion."
Therefore, any innovation introduced into the religion implies that Islaam
is imperfect and incomplete.
- It necessitates the slandering of the Sharee'ah (Islamic Law); that is, it
was incomplete and the innovator has therefore completed it.
- It requires the slander of Muslims who are not innovators, since by
implication whoever came before these innovations, their religion is
incomplete; and this is dangerous.
Most people who were preoccupied with innovation, neglected the Sunnah.
The Salaf (our predecessor Muslims) who were adherents to Islaam, said: "Whenever
a people introduce a Bid'ah (an innovation), they destroyed its counterpart
in the Sunnah."
- These innovations also, bring about division among Muslims because the
innovators believe that they are the ones who carry the truth and that those
who do not follow them are mislead. However, the people of truth claim: "you
are the ones (the innovators) who are on the wrong path and hence this is
their division".
There are serious deviations which result from innovation, for innovation is
connected with 'a rotten mind and flawed religion'. (Al-Muhaadaraat
As-Saniyyah on the interpretation of Al-'Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah, 2/713).
The Emergence of Innovation
Innovation (in Islaam) was initiated as a result of bad intention, for a man
opposed the Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, and said to him 'be fair
because you were not'. Consequently, several men followed this man and became
dissidents (Al-Khawaarij). Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said in this respect:
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"The principles of innovation
were based on the refutation of Sunnah principles using doubt and whims,
like Iblees (Satan) when he doubted Allaah's commands according to his
whims." (Majmoo' Al-Fataawa, 3/286-287) |
Peculiar to the innovators are their ignorant view of Allaah, increasing
divisions and severe hatred. Ibn Al-Qayyim, rahimahu Allaah, said about the
innovators:
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"If you look at innovators you
will find that they are different, divided into sects and as far as
worshipping is concerned, you will not find that two of them are
adopting the same method. They would introduce innovations to each
other. More than that, you will find that their innovations culminate
into disbelief. For instance, you will find the son accusing his father
of disbelief, the brother accusing his brother of disbelief, and the
neighbour accusing his neighbour of disbelief. They are in constant
conflict and hate each other, their differences cost them their lives
and their discourse has never been common." (Mukhtasar Al-Sawaa'iq
Al-Mursalah, 2/425). |
Therefore, their divisions paradoxically unites them on the hatred of the
Sunnah and its people, so woe to the innovators in what their hands have earned.
Their evil deeds overshadow all evil, and the damage they have inflicted upon
the Muslim Ummah is bigger than that caused by sinners. Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn
Taymiyyah says:
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"The leaders of innovation
inflict more damage upon the Ummah than sinners. That is why the
Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, ordered the killing of the
Khawaarij and warned against the killing of the unjust followers."
(Majmoo' Al-Fataawa 7/284) |
With the foregoing in mind, we must confront the innovators, point out their
deviations and protect the Ummah from their evil acts by spreading the religious
science and the principles of Ahlus-Sunna Wal-Jamaa'ah's 'Aqeedah (creed) and by
advising people how to acquire it (i.e. 'Aqeedah) from its people. 'Abdullaah
Ibn Mas'ood says: "seek knowledge before it is seized, and it's seizure
means the disappearance of scholars. Do not delve deeply into knowledge, do not
innovate and stick to the old (i.e. the authentic)." [Ad-Daarimee]
However, it is not fair to label anything new as innovation because it might
be unknown or misinterpreted. This has been explained by Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn
Taymiyyah: "what has been proved abominable, based on the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah, whether it be innovations or non- innovations, when said or practised by
a person, this person may have some excuse due to his Ijtihaad (individual
judgment over a matter, if he is a scholar) or permissible Taqleed (imitation)
of a scholar when this person is an 'Aaammee (Islaamically uneducated) (Majmoo'
Al-Fataawa, 10/371-372).
We should bear in mind that innovators are not equal in knowledge, ignorance,
competence, approval, belief and hypocrisy. This has been explained by Shaikh
Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah:
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"Among the innovators, there are
the hypocrite and the atheist; these are non-believers. This type of
people is found more among the Rafidites (a Shiate sect) and Al-Jahamiyyah
(a sect who denies Allaah's attributes, among other serious deviations).
Their leaders were known to be hypocrites and atheists. However, among
those who innovate is that who is a believer but has some degree of
ignorance and injustice which has led him to deviate from the Sunnah.
Such person is not a Kaafir (a disbeliever) nor a hypocrite. He may be
sinful or disobedient but he might as well be forgiven and excused
because he has mistakenly misinterpreted the issue." (Majmoo'
Al-Fataawa 3/353) |
Renouncing the innovators and boycotting their innovation
In safeguarding the interests of the Muslim community against the damages of the
innovators, Islaam approved and legalised the renouncement and boycotting of the
innovators. The Salaf, Ridwanu Allaahi 'Alaihim, adopted this method in the
fight against innovation and renounced the innovators in order to safeguard the
Sharee'ah. However, in order not to fight an innovation with another, their
renouncement was based on faith and adherence to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
"Renouncement should not be adopted unless there is reasonable grounds for
it and this entails the following:
- To be sure of the existence of innovation and avoid hearsay. This is to
say that one should listen to what the innovator says or does, or read what
he has written, particularly in our era which lacks piety.
- To fight the type of innovation which is agreed upon. This is to say that
matters on which the scholars have different views whether they are
innovations or not should not be renounced.
- To clarify the issue to the person who says or practices an innovation
before calling him an innovator. This person may be excused because he was
not aware of the evidence he is opposing, or may have understood it
mistakenly. This clarification can only be achieved through advising him and
calling him to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah with kindness." [Haqeeqatu
Al-Bid'ah Wa Ahkaamuhaa (The Reality of Innovation and Its Principles,
2/339)].
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