| Manhaj - Methodology |
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Reasons
behind the Existence of Bid’ah
Ignorance
Whenever
people separate from the True Message, knowledge will decrease and ignorance
will flourish. The Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) informed us
about this adversity when he said: “Whoever lives (long) will witness
many differences.” [Abu Dawood]
And
he (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) also said: “Allah does not erase
knowledge (from earth) by erasing knowledge from slaves (hearts). Rather, He
erases knowledge through the death of scholars. When He leaves (earth) without
scholars, people will take the ignorant as leaders (and scholars). They (the
ignorant) will be asked and then give fatawah without knowledge. Then, they
will be lead, and will lead astray.” [Ahmad]
People
of knowledge are those who fight against Bid'ahs. When knowledge and scholars
disappear from earth, then Bid'ah will see the light. Bid'ah will then appear
and spread.
Following
one’s own Desires
Whoever
shuns the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, and follows his own desires, then pertaining
him Allah says: “But if they answer you not (O Muhammad (sallallahu alahi
wa-sallam) (i.e. do not believe in your teachings of Islamic Monotheism, nor
follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more
astray then one who follows his own lust (desires) without the guidance from
Allah (revelation)" [Soorah Al-Qasas (28): 50]
“Have
you seen him who takes his own desires as his god, and Allah knowing (him as
such) left him astray, sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on
his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah.”
[Soorah Al-Jathiyah (45): 23]
So,
following one’s own desires leads one to straying away from the Straight
Path and indulging in evil innovation
Blind
Following
“When
it is said to them: 'Follow peoples opinion blindly prevents one from
following the Straight path. Allah said what translated means: “Follow what
Allah has sent down.” They say: “Nay! We shall follow what we found our
fathers following. Even though their fathers did not understand anything, nor
were they guided.”
[Soorah al-Baqarah(2): 170]
This
is the case today with those who blindly follow a Madh-hab. If they are called
to following the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, leaving their traditions, what
opposes them, they claim to follow their own Madh-hab, scholars, fathers or
grandfathers, which leads them to indulge in many evil affairs known as
rituals and traditions, originated from the worst of affairs; Bid’ahs
resulting to the final abode in Hellfire.
Imitating
the Kuffar
Imitating
the Kuffar is what befalls one most in Bid'ahs, because actions of the Kuffar
are built only upon corruption and misguidance.
Abu
Waqid Al-Laithi (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said: “We were still new
Muslims when we went to the battle of Hunain with the Prophet (sallallhu alahi
wa-sallam). We found that the Mushrikeen had a tree, called ‘That Anwar’,
which they revered and on which they hanged their weapons on. When we passed
by a similar Sidrah we said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallhu alahi
wa-sallam), make for us ‘That Anwar’ as they
have.. Prophet (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said: “Allahu Akbar!
It is the Sunnan (traditions of the Mushrikeen). You said by He Who has my
soul in His Hand, what the children of Israel said to Moses: “Make for us
gods as they have gods. He said: 'Verily! You are a people who know not.”
[7:138] and he (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said: You will follow the
traditions of those before you (Jews and Christians)”
[at-Tirmidhee]
In
this hadeeth, we find that imitating the Kuffar (non-believers) is what drove
Jews (before them), and some of
the companions (radhi allahu anhu), to ask for this ugly matter. They wanted
gods to worship and revere other than Allah. This is the case with the
majority of Muslims today, imitating the disbelievers, which is an opening to
ruthless Bid'ahs in Islam.
Bid’ah
is more Beloved to Shaytaan than Sinning
Sufyaan
ath-Thawree (rahimahullah) said: "Innovations are more beloved to
Shaytaan than sin. Since a sin may be repented from but an innovation is not
repented”
[Sharh Usul I'tiqaad of al-Laalikaa'ee (d.414) no.238]
This
is because the innovator believes that he is doing something good and
therefore sees no need to repent.
He
also said, "…so cling to the original state of affairs" [al-Hilya
6/376] meaning stick to the way of Muhammad (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) and
Companions
Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullah) said, "Stick to the narrations and the way of the salaf, and beware of the newly invented matters for all of it is innovation"
[Sawnul
Muntaq of as-Suyutee pg.32]
Imaam
Maalik (rahimahullah) said, "He, who innovates an innovation in Islaam
regarding it as something good, has claimed that Muhammad (sallallahu alahi
wa-sallam) has betrayed his trust to deliver the message as Allaah says:
"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour
upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion” [Soorah Al-Maidah
(5): 4] [al-I'tisaam]
Imaam
Ahmad (rahimahullah) said, "The fundamental principles of the sunnah with
us are…avoiding innovations and every innovation is misguidance" [Usul
as-Sunnah of Imaam Ahmad pg.1]
