السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

We’ve mentioned bidah(innovation) a little bit before, but I think we haven’t explained it properly. I’ll try to explain it here and give some examples.

A question was asked to the great scholar of Ahlus Sunnah, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Bazz:

Q: What is the difference between Ittiba” (following one’s traditions; imitation) and Al Ibtidah (innovation)? The sheikh answered: “Ittiba’ is what we are required to do according to the Shari’ah (Islamic law), i.e. following what the Prophet (peace be upon him) has brought of orders and prohibitions. It is said “We should follow” because Allah says: Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah), and follow not any Auliya’ (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh))” We are ordered to follow the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Qur’an. Holding on to what has been revealed by Allah in the Qur’an and what the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said or done is Ittiba. As for Ibtida’, it is innovation of something in the religion which Allah has not permitted, for example: worship in a way that Allah has not made lawful. This is called Ibtida’. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (“Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected.”) and he also said: (The most evil of matters are those which are newly introduced in religion), and every Bid’ah is a Dalalah (deviation from what is right). So if a person was to perform more than five Prayers and said they would perform six Prayers, increasing one Prayer at any time of the day, is a Batil (null/void) and Bid’ah. It is prohibited to perform or to invite people to perform it with the intention that it is a Fard (obligatory, based on a definitive text). Or if someone said the two Sajdahs (prostrations) are not enough, lets make a third Sajdah in every Rak’ah (unit of Salah); this is Bid’ah, which if purposely done, will make the Prayer Batil. Therefore Ibtida’ is to innovate a worship which Allah did not prescribe, whether it is a verbal or practical; all this is Bid’ah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has not prescribed it. Bid’ah is what people have innovated in the religion and not sanctioned by Allah and His Prophet. Ittiba’ is to follow the approach prescribed by Allah to His servants, and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (peace be upon him).”

In conclusion, Ittiba is following the way of Prophet Muhammed ﷺ by obeying what he ordered or prohibited. This is required for us to do as Muslims. Ibtida’ is to innovate a worship which Allah did not prescribe. For example, if you add a prayer to the 5 daily prayers you are required to do as a Muslim, you are committing a Bidah(innovation). This is impermissible, and the deed you did will not count based on the Hadith: “Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected.”

And Allah Subhanahu w Ta’ala knows best.

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