Sharee‘ah Texts Condemn Innovation in Religion
Various texts of the Sharee‘ah condemn innovation in religion and warn against it. It was narrated on the authority of Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the Prophet, , would give a Khutbah (sermon), his eyes would turn red and his voice would be loud. The Prophet, , would say: “Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah The Almighty, and the best guidance is that of Muhammad, the most evil affairs are the originated ones, and every innovation [in religion] is misguidance…” [Muslim]
In a Hadeeth narrated by Al-‘Irbaadh ibn Saariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, , said: “Those of you who outlive me will see enormous differences. You must then follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs. Abide by it and hold on tight to it [as if] with your eyeteeth. Beware of instigation [in religion], for every instigation is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi - Hasan Saheeh]
It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, , said: “Whoever introduces an innovation into this religion, will have it rejected.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Innovation in Religion is Misguidance that Thwarts Acts of Worship
Introducing an innovation in religion is misguidance and makes one's acts of worship worthless. This applies to the originator of the innovation as well as anyone who follows that innovation. The Prophet, , said: “Whoever introduces an innovation to this religion, will have it rejected.” An innovator in religion actually thinks that he is doing a good deed, which makes it very unlikely that he would repent for doing it. In this respect, an innovator in religion is different from a non-observant Muslim. It was narrated on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, , said:“Allah withholds repentance from every instigator of an innovation in the religion.” [Al-Munthiri and At-Tabaraani, Al-Albaani - Hasan]
The most dangerous religious innovations are the ones pertaining to creed, such as the Khawaarij's (an early Islamic sect) belief that a person who commits a major sin thereby becomes a disbeliever; figurative interpretation of the Names and Attributes of Allah The Almighty (such as interpreting the Istiwaa' (rising) of Allah to mean dominion, His Descent to mean His sending down of commands, His Hand to mean power and so on); believing that some people are exempted from religious obligations; believing in pantheism or incarnation, dedicating acts of worship to the dead; giving precedence to ‘logic’ over textual proofs; believing in the infallibility of Imaams; and cursing the Companions and calling them unbelievers. Innovators are referred to as “the people of innovation” or “the people of whims”.
A Malicious Allegation Rebutted
Any saying or action that does not coincide with the teachings of the Prophet, , is considered to be an innovation in religion and misguidance. However, there are those who maintain that some innovations in religion are good. They justify their claim by what ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said when he made Ubayy ibn Ka‘b, may Allah be pleased with him, lead the people in congregational Salaat Taraaweeh during Ramadan. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “How good this innovation is!”
We refute this claim from many angles. For instance, the Prophet, , performed this Salah with men and women for a few nights, but he stopped performing it in congregation because he feared that it might become obligatory on them. After the Prophet, , died and revelation stopped, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, noticed that some people would perform this Salah individually while others performed it in groups. At this point, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, gathered them to perform it behind Ubayy ibn Ka‘b and said the phrase stated above. Moreover, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of the rightly-guided caliphs whom the Prophet, , ordered us to follow. The Prophet, said: “Follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs.”
Extremism Versus Negligence
Some Muslims go to extremes regarding religious innovation. They do not distinguish between innovation in religion and innovation in the worldly aspects of life. A group of Muslims has preferred to adhere to the inherited ways of life that it has been bequeathed, although they only pertain to worldly matters. As a result, while other nations have attained progress in worldly matters, this group remains reliant on other nations for what they invent and manufacture.
On the other hand, another group of Muslims has not differentiated between forbidden innovation in acts of worship and permitted innovation in aspects of this worldly life; they went to the other extreme, so that they innovated in the religion what Allah The Almighty has not permitted. They did this under the pretext of urbanization and achieving development.
Concepts become confused, yet it was necessary that each group is aware of its due right. It should be known that in principle, innovation is forbidden in all acts of worship and such matters are restricted to those that have a basis in authentic texts. However, in principle, innovation that leads to progress in this worldly life is permissible, although it must conform to the rules of Sharee’ah.
Transactions are basically permissible once its relevant criteria are considered. This means that it is not against the teachings of Islam to manufacture planes, drive cars and build hospitals, orphanages and schools. The permissibility or impermissibility of any worldly activity is determined on the basis of the purpose and manner of usage. If the purpose and manner of usage is for a good cause, the activity is permissible; and if they are used for an evil purpose the activity is impermissible. Acts of worship such as prayers, dutifulness to parents and wearing Hijab, however, should be performed without increase or decrease, whether we live in the first century or the hundredth century.
This blessed religion is characterized by its susceptibility to development, on the condition that the teachings of the religion are not altered. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me.}[Quran 10:15] For this reason, we say that innovation in religion is condemned and is absolute misguidance. This ruling applies to both real innovations and additional innovations (the innovations which combine a Sharee‘ah-based act and an originated act. For instance, the prayer for the Prophet, , after the Athaan (call to prayer) in a loud voice; celebrating the beginning of a new Hijri year; and celebrating the occasion of Al-Israa' and Mi‘raaj.) Some claim that additional innovations should not be condemned, however, this is incorrect. They must be condemned because the prohibition of innovation in religion is general.