By Dr. Norlain bint Muhammad Dindang
(Note: The Author is now using her real family name instead of her husband’s family name (Mababaya) in conformity with Islamic value.)
By Dr. Norlain bint
Muhammad Dindang
(Note: The Author is now using her real
family name instead of her husband’s family name (Mababaya) in conformity with
Islamic value.)
Islâm
as the perfect and true religion is not only complete, but applies to all
generations, at all times, under any circumstance.
This is one of the important concepts that we must know and at the same
time convey to all. We do not,
therefore, need to make any bid’ah (innovation or fabrication) in our
religion.
As
much as possible, we must refrain from committing Bid‘ah.
Innovation in religion in any form must be avoided. Let us always be
guided with the Qur’ânic injunction to obey Allâh
(S.W.T.)
and His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.) by adhering to the Qur’ân
and the Sunnah. We must take admonitions from the following Qur’ânic
injunctions:
“But
no, by your Rabb (Sustainer), they can have no Faith, until they make you (O
Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no
resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”
(4:65)
“...And
whosoever does not judge in accordance with what Allâh has revealed, such are
the kafiroon (disbelievers).” (5:44)
“...And
whosoever does not judge in accordance with what Allâh has revealed, such are
the dhalimoon (wrongdoers).” (5:45)
“...And
whosoever does not judge in accordance with what Allâh has revealed, (then)
such are the fasiqoon (the rebellious) to Allâh.”
(5:47)
“It
is not for a believer, man or woman when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a
matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys
Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error.”
(33:36)
“O
you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not
vain your deeds.” (47:33)
In
line with the above Qur’ânic admonitions, the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
stressed the importance of knowing and holding on to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah
and at the same time warned us to avoid bid’ah.
He
(s.a.w.s.) made it very clear
that Allâh
(S.W.T.)
rejects any religious deed, which is not in accordance with the Qur’ân and
the Sunnah. For our
guidance, we must avoid any form of bid’ah.
We should take admonition in the following authentic Ahâdîth:
‘Aishah
(radhiallâhu anha) reported that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “Whoso introduces
any thing new to this affairs of ours (i.e., religion) which does not form a
part of it, it is invalid.”
(Bukhâri 3/861 and Ibn Majah 1/14)
Jabir
ibn Abdullâh
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said “The
best speech is that embodied in the Book of Allâh, and the best guidance is the
guidance given by Muhammad. The most evil affairs are their innovations; and
every innovation is an error.” (Muslim
1885)
Yahya
ibn Abu Muta
(r.a.)
said, “I heard Irbad bin Sariya
(r.a.)
as saying, “One day Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
got up among us and delivered a profoundly effective sermon to us: the
hearts softened and eyes welled up with tears thereby.”
It was said, “Allâh’s
Messenger
(s.a.w.s.),
you have delivered to us a farewell sermon.
So enjoin upon us some duty.”
He remarked, “God-consciousness, listening to (the commands of those at
the head of affairs) and the compliance (thereof) are obligatory duties for you,
even if he (the ruler) be an Abyssinian slave.
Very soon, you would see tremendous controversy after me.
At that juncture, it is incumbent upon you to adhere strictly to my
Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs.
Hold fast that with teeth and pursue not the affairs of innovation for
every innovation is straying from the Right Path.”
(Ibn Majah 1/42, Abu Dawud 4950 and Tirmidhi)
Ghudhayf
ibn al Harith al Thumali
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“Never did a people make an innovation (in religion) there was
withdrawn from them the equal measure of Sunnah. Adhering to Sunnah is better
than making innovations.”
(Tirmidhi 187 and Ahmad)
Ali
ibn Abu Talib
(r.a.)
said that according to Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
“…If anyone introduces an
innovation, he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or
gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed
by Allâh, by His angels, and by all the people.”
(Abu Daud, 4515)
Bilal
ibn Harith al-Muzani
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“...He who introduced some evil innovation, which Allâh and His
Messenger did not approve has (a burden of sin upon him) like the sins of one
who acted according to it, without their sins being mitigated thereby in the
least.” (Tirmidhi
168)
Hasan
ibn Attiyah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“No one ever made an innovation in their religion but Allâh withdrew
the equal portion from their Sunnah and He would not restore it to them till the
Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmidhi
188)
Abdullâh
(r.a.)
reported on the authority of his father, “I heard Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
saying, “...And, he who introduced an innovation that Allâh and His
Messenger had not sanctioned, would incur (a sin) like the sin of one of the
people who acted upon it without any diminution in people’s sins.”
(Ibn Majah 1/210)
Indeed,
there are numerous
authentic
Ahâdîth that clearly warn us of the dangers of committing Bid’ah
in our religion. It is for
our guidance that we must know Islâm in its purest form.
Only sufficient knowledge of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah can guide us to
stick to the right path and avoid other paths that lead us to bid’ah and hence
sinful deeds.
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