Determining Reprehensible Innovation A Detail Explanation With Principle Guide.

[MuhammedAli]

Determining Reprehensible Innovation A Detail Explanation With Principle Guide.

Introduction:

It is very important for the Muslims to understand what an evil/reprehensible innovation in religion of Islam is and how to determine if a practice/custom or a tradition is evil innovation according to Islamic teaching. Typically it has been seen individuals with little to zero understanding of this subject issue edicts of Biddah/Innovation against Muslims. This article is designed to educate believers about methodology of determining evil innovation. I do not promise a simple read through will enable you to understand the subject comprehensively and properly but a study of this short article enable any and Muslim of every intellect level to determine if a practice is evil innovation or not. May Allah make this means of guidance for many.

0.0 - Fundamental Definition Of Reprehensible Innovation:

Reprehensible Innovation: (i) Any innovated practice/belief without Asal of Qur'an/Sunnah is reprehensible innovation. (ii) Any innovated practice/belief not composed practices from Quran/Sunnah is reprehensible innovation.

0.1 – Four Types Of Prophetic Sunnahs And Sunnah Of Righteous Caliphs:

(i) Sunnah in here primarily is referrence to Sunnah of Prophet (peace be upon him) but is inclusive of Sunnah of righteous Caliphs. (ii) There are four types of Sunnahs: Qawli: Proven from statement of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam). Fehli: proven from actions of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam). Taqreeri: proven from acceptance of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam). Wasfi: Proven from qualities, characteristics, behavior of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam). (iii) And if a innovated practice, custom, festivity is NOT composed of anyone, or mixture, or all of these types of prophetic Sunnahs then it is reprehensible innovation.

1.0 - Explanation Of Fundamental Definition Of Innovation With :

Principle OneA: Any innovated action/belief for which there is no explicit evidence from Qur’an or the Sunnah but it is done with the belief that it is explicitly part of deen - as instruction of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mentioned in Quran, or prophetic Sunnah, then it is reprehensible innovation.

Principle OneB: Any innovated action/belief for which there is no implicit evidence from Qur’an or the Sunnah but it is done with the belief that it is implicitly part of deen - as instruction of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) mentioned in Quran, or prophetic Sunnah, it is reprehensible innovation.

1.1 - Difference Between Direction/Explicit And Indirect/Implicit Evidence Explained:

Explicit, or direct evidence is which clearly refers to a practice. Jummah prayers – Ahadith proving it are explicitly evidence of Jummah prayers. Implicit or indirect evidence would be evidence does not clearly refer practice but through deduction it can be turned toward it. Prophet (peace be upon him) used Siwak for Oral hygiene. Tooth brush and paste are no substitute for the Sunnah but through deduction and rational process we can turn evidence of Siwak to justify usage of tooth brush and paste. Ahadith of Siwak when proving Sunnah-ness of Siwak are explicit/direct evidence but to establish permissibility of tooth brush/paste these Ahadith are implicit/indirect evidences. Ijtihad on things which have no explicit/direct mention in Quran/Sunnah is always turning explicit evidence through rational deductions to the matter and arriving at a conclusion.

1.2 – How Things Are Directly And Indirectly Part Of Islam:

Everything which Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructed in His book and everything Prophet (peace be upon him) taught as Deen in his Sunnah is directly/explicitly part of Islam. Every innovation which has implicit/indirect evidence, in other words Ijtihad supporting evidence, from Quran/Sunnah is indirectly/implicitly part of Islam because it has been composed of matters which are from Islam.

2.0 – Innovation Against Teaching Of Islam Is Reprehensible:

Principle Two: Any innovated action/belief that entirely, or partly is composed of which is against Qur’an & Sunnah but it is believed to be directly, or indirectly part of religion of Islam is reprehensible innovation.

2.0 – Explanation Of Innovation Composed Of Against Quran/Sunnah:

All that is Haram, Kufr, Shirk is against teaching of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and if a innovation is composed of engaging in acts of Haram, Kufr, or affirming Shirk as belief then such innovation is reprehensible. If a innovation is partly good and partly transgression then Hukm (injunction) remains same, it is reprehensible, until transgression against religion is not removed from it. And if such reprehensible innovation is deemed to be explicitly part of Islam, or implicitly then it is greater sin then it was.

3.0 – Principle Of Adding, Omitting, Altering Teaching Of Quran/Sunnah:

Principle Three: Adding, Altering, and/or omitting anything from the Qur’an & Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) is reprehensible innovation.

3.1 - Three Principles Of Adding, Deleting, And Altering:

Following three will explain principle three much better: (i) Adding anything as teaching of Qur’an, or Sunnah of RasoolAllah (peace be upon him) for which there is no Asal is reprehensible innovation. (ii) Altering anything mentioned in Qur’an or Sunnah of RasoolAllah (peace be upon him) for which there is no Asal is reprehensible innovation. (iii) Deleting anything from teaching of Qur’an or Sunnah of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam) for which there is no Asal is reprehensible innovation. Only exception to this is Ijtihad of a Mujtahid.

3.2 - Explaining How Additions Can Be Made:
 
(i) Adding words/actions to regulated acts of worship. Example of this would be adding extra prostrations; performing three prostrations instead of two. Or reciting a additional phrase (i.e. Qul huwallahu ahad) to what is recited in prostration (i.e. subhana rabbiyal a'ala). (ii) Adding a belief/practice into Islam as Sunnah. Considering Yoga as Sunnah, or believing in reincarnation etc. (iii) Adding by enacting a reprehensible action with belief it is permissible/impermissible in Islam. If the person considered it impermissible but it became a custom/practice and fallowed after him then its reprehensible innovation otherwise its sin. (iv) Adding by believing a reprehensible belief with conviction it is permissible in Islam.  One such belief is of the anthropomorphists who believe in yaddullah in haqqiqi (literal) meanings. They believe in Hand of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) yet Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is without likeness to His creation recorded in Surah 42 Verse 11: “... laysaka misli shai'ee ...” (“... there is nothing like Him ...”).

3.3 - How Alterations Can Be Made To Teaching Of Islam:

(i) Altering regulated acts of worship by performing something first which was to be practiced after. Performing Sajdah (prostration) before Ruku (bowing) in prayers. (ii) Altering regulated acts of worship by reciting something first which was to be recited after. Reciting Surah Fatiha in Sajdah.

3.4 - Explanation Of How Omissions Can Be Made:

(i) Omission of actions from regulated acts of worship. Not turning right/left to greet in prayers with words, 'As'salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah.' Instead repeating it twice looking toward Qibla. (ii) Omission of recitation which is fundamentally part of regulated act of worship. Omitting of Salawat Ibrahimi: “Allahumma salli ala Muhammediv wa a'ala a'ali Muhammediv kama sal'laee ta'ala Ibrahima wa a'ala a'ali Ibrahima in'naka hameedum majeed. ...” (iii) Omission of anything from Qur’an, Sunnah by rejecting it without just basis. Believing that parts of Quran have been omitted as certain apostates of Shia'ism believe. Or rejecting a Sahih Hadith which is accepted by the Ummah as whole to be authentic.

4.0 – Principle Of Praiseworthy Innovation Believed As Part Of Revealed Islam:

Principle Four: Any praiseworthy innovation for which there is implicit evidence from Qur’an or the Sunnah but it is done with the belief that it is explicitly part of Islam (as in part of Islam revealed to Prophet) it is reprehensible innovation.

4.0 – Explaining How Praiseworthy Innovation Becomes Part Of Revealed Islam:

To believe modern way of celebrating/commemorating Mawlid of Prophet (peace be upon him) was taught in Quran, or is a prophetic Sunnah would be a reprehensible innovation. This rule applies to all practices of Isaal al-Sawab (sending rewarding) such as Geeyarweenh, Teeja - 3^rd Day congregational supplication, Chaleewas - 40^th Day congregational supplication, Jummah Raat Khatam  (i.e. supplication on every Thursday before sunset) etc.

5.0 – Principle To Believe In Impermissibility Of Praiseworthy Innovation:

Principle Five: To believe Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Prophet (peace be upon him) have prohibited and have not permitted the Muslims to introduce praiseworthy innovations itself is a reprehensible innovation.

5.1 - Explaining Why Such  Belief Itself Is An Reprehensible Innovation:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Prophet (peace be upon him) perfect and completed religion of Islam with its teachings and guiding principles - Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said: “Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Deen (religion and a way of life) for you.” [Ref: 5:3] And part of these principles is teaching that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will reward any who innovates a good Sunnah introduced in Islam. Therefore to censor good innovations and to say they are sinful and take to hell-fire is rejecting the perfection/completion of Qur’anic and prophetic teachings.  It also amounts to rejection of teaching of prophetic Sunnah as such it is an innovation.

5.2 - Providing Evidence For Innovative Praiseworthy Innovations:

(i) Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Thereupon Allah's Messenger said: He who introduced some good Sunnah in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] Here the word Sunnah is in its linguistic meaning and not Shar’ri meaning. Meaning word Sunnah does not refer to prophetic Sunnahs and if you do believe phrase good Sunnah refers to prophetic Sunnah pay attention to the following where evil Sunnah in Islam is referrence to innovative evil Sunnahs: “And he who introduced some evil Sunnah in Islam which had been followed subsequently (by others) he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their's being diminished in any respect.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] Does this phrase refer to evil Sunnahs of Prophet (peace be upon him)? No! (ii) Prophet (peace be upon him) used word Sunnah to refer to evil innovation of murdering started by son of Prophet Adam (alayhis salam😞 "Whenever a person is murdered unjustly, there is a share from the burden of the crime on the first son of Adam for he was the first to start the Sunnah (tradition) of murdering." [Ref: Bukhari, B55, H552] Innovation is which did not exist before it originated. Once it originates renewal of an innovation does not mean it has originated newly. In this light it can be seen that here the word Sunnah is used to mean innovation. (iii) It is undeniable innovation is not already part of Islam. What is already part of Islam we/none can introduce in Islam as an innovation. This Hadith and many more like it reveal reward is for something which is NOT already part of Islam, i.e. innovation, and blame of sin is for something not already declared to be sinful: “Thereupon Allah's Messenger said: He who introduced some good Sunnah in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect And he who introduced some evil Sunnah in Islam which had been followed subsequently (by others) he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their’s being diminished in any respect.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466]

6.0 - Principle To Believe Any Praiseworthy Innovation Takes To Hell:

Principle Six: To hold a belief about any praiseworthy innovation that it is a reprehensible, sinful, misguided, and takes to hell such a belief about praiseworthy innovation is reprehensible innovation.

6.1 - To Believe A Praiseworthy Innovation Takes To Hell Is Reprehensible Innovation:

To believe taking part in Mawlid, Geeyarweenh, or any other praiseworthy innovation is sinful and takes the one who practices it to fire of hell itself is reprehensible innovation. And one who holds to such notion will enter hell for disbelieving a prophetic Sunnah of and for declaring the goodness of  praiseworthy innovation takes to hellfire: “He who introduced some good Sunnah in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] It is important to point out that not to engage in praiseworthy innovations is not sinful but to declare them misguidance taking to hellfire is sinful and reprehensible innovation.

Wama alayna ilal balaghul mubeen.
Muhammed Ali Razavi Edited 21 نومبر 2023 by MuhammedAli
Updated contents.

[MuhammedAli]

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Edited 20 نومبر 2023 by MuhammedAli

[MuhammedAli]

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Edited 21 نومبر 2023 by MuhammedAli