Part 1
IGNORANCE AND LITTEL KNOWLEDGE
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said:
"Whoever brings forth an innovation into our religion which is not part of it, it is rejected".
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) also said:
"Beware of inventive matters for every invention is an innovation and every innovation is evil".
Those who quote these two Ahadith claim that the word
"Kul" which means
"EVERY" or "
ALL" which is mentioned in the above two Ahadith is used to include everything, i.e. all kinds of innovations or "Bid'ah" without any exception. They conclude therefore, that all innovations are "EVIL".
By stating such an ill-fated statement, they have in fact accused the scholars (ULAMA) of the Muslim World of committing "EVIL" innovations, particularly Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu). However, they quickly respond and say: No, we did not mean the Companions (SAHABA IKRAAM). In reply to that we say, yes, indeed you did so, because you said "EVERY" or "ALL" innovations are "EVIL".
And you have rejected what the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) himself approved, i.e."Tarawih Prayers".
We will now quote before you many actions which were not carried out during the life of Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) but were in fact done following his demise by his Companions (ridwanullahi ta'ala ajma'in).
1. THE ISSUE OF COMPILING THE QUR'AN IN ONE BOOK
Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit (radi Allahu anhu) said: Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had passed away and the Qur'an has not been compiled into one book! In fact, it was Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) who told Hadrat Abu-Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) to collect the Qur'an. Hadrat
Abu-Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was hesitant at first and he actually said, "How could we do something which the Prophet himself never did". Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) replied, "BUT BY ALLAH IT IS A GOOD THING". Hadrat Zaid (radi Allahu anhu) then said Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) kept coming back and forth until Hadrat Abu-Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) sent after him and assigned him the task of compiling the Qur'an. (Bukhari Shareef)
2. PROPHET IBRAHIM'S STATION (FOOTPRINT).
Imam Baihaqi said that Bibi Ayesha (radi Allahu anha), a wife of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that Prophet Ibrahim's Station (Footprint) was attached to "KAABA" during the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and Abu-Bakr's (radi Allahu anhu) time. It was not until the time of Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) who changed its original position.
Ibn Hajar, the great Muhaddith said: None of the companions raised any objection against Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) for doing so and he was the first person to cover Prophet Ibrahim's Station (Footprint) in the state it is now.
3. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND AZAAN DURING FRIDAY PRAYER
Imam Baihaqi narrated that Sayyiduna Al-Saa'eb bin Zaid (radi Allahu anhu) said: The first call (AZAAN) for Friday Prayer commenced when the Imam sat on the Pulpit (MIMBAR).
This was the practice during the Prophet's, (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Hazrat Abu-Bakr's and Hazrat Umar's time. But when Hazrat Uthman (radi Allahu anhuma) came, he introduced the second Azaan.
4. SENDING PRAISE AND SALAAMS UPON THE PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
This was first introduced by Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) and he used to teach it to people of his time. Ibn Jabir mentioned that in his book called "Tah'theeb Al-Aa'thar" so did Imam Tabari, Ibi Assem and Yaqoub bin Shaibah.
5. THE ADDITION MADE BY IBN MASOUD TO TASHA'HUD
Imam Tabari said that Ibn Masoud use to read after saying "As Salaam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu", "As Salaam Alaina Min Rabenna" (Peace be upon us from our Lord).
6. THE INTRODUCTION OF READING "BISMILLAH AL-RAHMAN AL-RAHIM" BEFORE COMMENCING TASHA'HUD.
Bukhari and Muslim both narrated that Ibn Umar use to read "Bimillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim" before Tasha'hud.
All the above Companions have in fact introduced innovations which they have deemed beneficial and which were not practised during the life of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
Hence, that these innovations where brought about in acts of worship! What then would you say about these renowned Companions? Are they going to be classified among those who practise "EVIL" innovations!
As for their (who talk against meelad un nabi) other statement which is even worse that the first one, where it is alleged by them that in the religion of Islam there is no such thing as "Good Innovation" or "BID'AH". Let us quote the opinion of the most renowned scholars of Islam regarding this issue.
1. I
mam Al-Hafiz Al-Nawawi said in Vol.6, p.21 in his "Commentary on Sahih Al-Bukhari": What the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) meant when he said "EVERY" or "ALL" innovations, is that it is general but restricted, i.e. that most innovations are "EVIL" but not "ALL". In "Tahdhib Al-Asma wal Lugat" Bid'ah is explained as follows:
"Bid'ah in Shari'ah is the invention of that which was not there in the period of the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), and it is divided into two categories HASANAH (or good) and QABIHAH (or evil)".
2.
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani who explained Sahih Al-Bukhari said: "Every action which was not in practice at the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) time is called or known as Innovation,
however, there are those which are classified as 'Good' and there are those which are contrary to that".
3.
Imam Abu-Na'im said that he heard Imam Ibrahim Al-Junaid say that he heard Imam Shafi'i (radi Allahu anhuma) say: "The new things that are brought about are two kinds. One kind is that which brought about, inconsistent with something in the Qur'an or the Sunnah or with some Athaar or I'jma. This the category of BID'AH DALALAH (heretic innovation).
The second kind is that which is brought about from good things which are consistent with any of the above".
4.
Imam of Imams Izzuddin Ibn Abd al-Salaam writes in his book "Al-Qawa'aid":
"Bid'ah is divided into Wajib, Haram, Mandub, Makruh and Mabah. And the way to know which category it belongs to, is to examine it together with the laws of Shari'ah. If it falls in with the laws that deal with what is Wajib, then it is Wajib. If with those laws that deal with Haram, then it is Haram. If with the laws dealing with what is Mandub, then it is Mandub. If with the laws dealing with what is Makruh, then it is Makruh. If with the laws dealing with what is Mubah, then it is Mubah".
Following the examination of the statements of these highly renowned scholars of Islam, we ask: How is it then that what is alleged that the word "Kul" or "EVERY" includes all kinds of innovations or "Bid'ah" regardless? And where in the religion of Islam is it stated that there is no "Good Bid'ah" or "good innovation". Hence, the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: "Whoever introduces a good innovation into the religion of Islam, will be granted due reward for it and the reward of those who acts upon it without any reduction in their deeds".
From this hadith we find that every Muslim is entitled to introduce a "good Bid'ah or innovation" as long as it conforms with the test mentioned earlier, even though the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not do it, preach it or practice, in order that he/she could increase the deeds of goodness and rewards