Innovation
Someone wrote:-
There is a Hadith which forbids innovation in religion:- "The best discourse is Allah's Book, the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error."
Comment:-
The Prophet (saw) is also reported to have said:- "Be on your guard about Hadith from me, except what you know; for he who lies about me deliberately will certainly come to his abode in hell." Reported by Ibn Abbas.
How genuine is this Hadith and what is the context in which it was said? Is the interpretation of it correct?
I do not think so. The naive interpretation of it does not seem to be compatible with the Quran. Certainly, we are required to judge by the criteria established by the Quran, but this applies to general principles mainly and not the details or particular acts. Otherwise each dispensation of religion brought by every Prophet would be a condemnable innovation.
Here is another Hadith:-
"If anyone establishes a good Sunna in Islam he will have a reward for it and the equivalent of the reward of those who act upon it after him without theirs diminishing in any respect. But he who establishes a bad Sunna in Islam will bear the responsibility of it and the responsibility of those who act upon it after him without theirs being diminished in any respect." Reported by Jarir transmitted by Muslim.
It follows that things are to be judged according to whether they are good or evil, beneficial or harmful. Things are condemnable "bida" if they are introduced without such discrimination, perhaps from foreign sources that are incompatible with Islam.
It is hardly likely that Allah will condemn a person who worships Allah sincerely but in a manner outwardly different from others, unless, of course, it is based on ignorance. Self-mutilation, retreat into monasticism and other excesses are certainly forbidden in Islam. In so far as some so called Sufis practice these I would call these "bida". It seems to me that practices such as the use of chains of beads also practiced by some Muslims is a form of idolatry, but I will not insist on this. Allah knows best.
Muslim:
The Hadith is not ambiguous in meaning and is Sahih Muslim. Are you a scholar that you can argue with Sahih Muslim?
Comment:-
I do not think "Sahih Muslim" is sacrosanct. It is not Quran. Though "Muslim" might have understood what was meant, the ambiguity lies in the interpretation of people today.
Allah has given me faculties and I do study things, and I may be regarded as a scholar of sorts, but I do not claim infallibility. You may reject this and I will not argue.
Muslim:-
"Innovation" is God's prerogative and clearly not ours.
Comment:-
Allah breathed His spirit into man and made him a vicegerent and gave human beings intelligence and responsibilities and various faculties for perception. But you wish to neutralise these gifts? I think this is condemnable ingratitude (32:9)
Muslim:-
Is the Hadith you quote from one of the 6 authentic collections?
Comment:-
As far as know it is as genuine as the one you quote. It is more compatible with the teachings of the Quran than your interpretation of the Hadith you quote.
Muslim:-
Allah has taught us how to worship. Do you know a "new" way which Allah forgot to mention?
Comment:-
Certainly the Guidance of Allah is sufficient guidance. If you use your lower subjective mind, the one which is controlled by attachments, fantasies and desires in order to invent ideas and practices convenient to you then this is not worship - or rather it is worship of self. This is "bida" and condemnable.
Allah has taught many people how to worship through many messengers. And Allah is closer to you than your life artery and His spirit is within you. So if you are in touch with Him He will also guide you. This cannot be condemned as "Bida". The actions of Saints who are guided by Allah are not "bida" - it is Allah who works through them.
But if you have doubts that someone is truly guided by Allah then certainly, do not follow him. Stick to what you know. It is your understanding (hearing sight and heart) which will be asked to give an account.
This is how I understand things. But you do not have to accept anything I say. To you your understanding, to me mine.
Muslim:-
Do you know the definition of idolatry?
Muhammad (SAW) permitted using date stones to count dhikr. Stringing them together is not bida. If using stones were not expressly permitted, I would consider it bida.
Comment:-
I did not know that the Prophet permitted the use of strings of date stones in prayer. Life is a learning process and I am willing to be corrected. Can you verify this? What Hadith is this?
Of course, I can see that an aid to "Remembering" is not itself idolatry. But there is danger that it becomes the worship of the object. Those who worship statues also say that it is an aid only. See Quran 39:3
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