'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar (radi allahu anhu) said,

"Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people see it as something good."

Related by Ad-Darimee, Abu Shamaah (no. 39), Ibn Nasr in as-Sunnah (no. 82), al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh
Usoolul-Ftiqaad (no. 126) & Sharh I'tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah (1/92), and by al-Bayhaqee in al-Madkhal (no.
191). Its authentic; Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz (258) and Islah al-Masajid (13). Salim Al-Hilaali said: "Its isnaad
(chain of narration) is as authentic as the sun!"

Introduction
Linguistically Bidah (innovation) means 'a newly invented matter'. The Shareeah definition of
Bidah is: "A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Shareeah
(prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by
any authentic proof - neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." Al-
I'tisaam of ash-Shaatibee (1/37).

The Messenger of Allaah said: "Every innovation is misguidance and going

astray" Reported by Abu Daawood (no. 4607), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2676) and it is Saheeh. Ibn Hajr
authenticated it. Takhreej Ahaadeeth Ibn ul-Haajib (1/137).

And he also said: " and every innovation is misguidance and all
misguidance is in the Hellfire." Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (1/224) from Jaabir bin Abdullaah
and it is Saheeh as declared by Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmoo' ul-
Fataawaa (3/58).

The Messenger also warned against the People of Innovation, from befriending,
supporting or taking from them saying: "Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator
then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind." Reported by
Bukhaaree (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)

And in his footsteps, we find the Noble Companions and the Taabi'een after them warning from the
danger of innovations upon the Ummah, its people and their unity, since it is innovations which
have divided the Ummah and split it asunder.

Ibn Abbaas (d. 68H) said: "Indeed the most detestable of things to Allaah are
the innovations." Reported by al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunan al-Kubraa (4/316)

Ibn Umar (d. 84H) said: "Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people
see it as something good." Reported by Abu Shaamah (no. 39)

The Deen Is Complete:

Allah says,

"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and
have chosen for you Islaam as your religion" (5:4)

This verse embodies a clear statement that the religion has been completed and so has no need of
addition and deletion, and our noble Messenger said, "there is nothing that Allaah ordered
you with except that I have ordered you with it, and there is nothing that Allaah forbade
you from except that I have forbidden you from it" (al-Bayhaqee and others)

And he said, "there is nothing that will take you closer to paradise but that I have
enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to hell but that I have
warned you from it" (Musnad ash-Shaafi'ee and others).
So the Prophet Muhammad fulfilled the trust placed upon him by Allaah completely,
explaining the religion to the people in it's inward and outward form, making clear the lawful from
the prohibited, the encouraged from the discouraged, even to the extent that he taught us the
manners of going to the toilet, the manners of having sex with our partners etc.

Allaah says in His Book,

"And We have revealed to you a Book explaining everything", (16:89)

and He says,

"We have neglected nothing in the Book." (6:37)

So in the Qur'aan is explained the principles of the religion, Tawheed in all it's various categories,
even to the extent that it teaches us the manners of sitting in circles, visiting other peoples
houses, the correct clothing etc.

The Importance Of Sticking To The Sunnah:

Allaah says,

"Indeed you have in the Messenger of Allaah an excellent example for the one who
hopes in Allaah and looks to the Last Day." (33:21)

He also says,

"so if you obey him (i.e. Muhammad), then you will be guided" (25:54)

The Messenger of Allaah said, "I have left behind me two things, if you cling to them you
will never go astray. They are the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah" (al-Haakim)

And he also said, "and you will live to see great difference, so cling to my Sunnah and the
Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me, even if it be with your teeth." (Bukhaaree)

The Taabi'ee, the Imaam, az-Zuhree commented, "clinging to the Sunnah is to be saved, as
Imaam Maalik said, 'like the Ark of Noah', he who embarked upon it was saved, and he who did
not was destroyed." (ad-Daarimee)

In these narrations is clear evidence that the way of salvation and safety is to closely follow the
Sunnah of our Prophet , and not to deviate from his path, not accepting the
guidance of another individual, nor accepting a corrupted form of the Sunnah. Allaah
says,

"And whosoever contends with the Messenger after guidance has been made clear to
him, and follows a way other than the way of the believers, We shall leave in the path
he has chosen, and land him in Hell, what an evil destination!" (4:115)

The Sunnah Shall Become Corrupted:

We are taught in the revelation that the Sunnah shall become corrupted and this corruption would
become the norm, so much so that the people who follow the Sunnah would become as strangers,
and those that call to purifying the Sunnah would be slandered and reviled. The Prophet
said, "Islaam began as something strange, and it shall return as something
strange as it began. So Tooba (a tree in paradise) to the strangers." It was asked, "who
are the strangers?" He replied, "those that purify and correct what the people have
corrupted of my Sunnah" (Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer [6/202])

And what is this corruption? It is none other than innovation, introducing into the pure religion of
Allaah new ways of worshipping Him that He has not taught, blemishing His religion
with our whims and desires, something that Allaah Himslef condemns,

"Or do they have partners that legislate some religion which Allaah has not given
permission for?" (42:21)

The Companion, Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud laments, "how will it be when the trials
overcome you, in which the young grow old and the old grow senile. And the people take the
Bidah as the Sunnah, and when it changes they say: the Sunnah has changed. It was said: when
will this be O Abu Abdurrahmaan? He replied: when your speakers are many and your scholars are
few, and the wealthy ones are plenty and the trustworthy ones are few." (ad-Daarimee)

How true this statement is today, that the innovations have become so widespread in the religion
that the people have taken then to be the Sunnah. And when the true scholar speaks out against
these innovations he is labelled as a 'Wahhabi' by the people because to them it seems that he is
changing the Sunnah. To Allah we complain of the ignorance of our times!

Only Allaah Has The Right To Tell Us How To Worship Him:

"Follow that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow as
Friends and Protectors other than Him" (7:3)

From the Tafseer of this verse we learn that this verse embodies a categorical statement that the
privilege to tell people how to worship Allaah belongs to Allaah Alone. And how could it
be otherwise when the true meaning of Ibaadah is to worship Allaah in a way which He
is Pleased with and not according to our desires,

"and who is more astray then the one who follows his own whims and desires devoid of
revelation" (28:50)

In this regard the Prophet said, "I warn you of the newly invented matters (in
the religion), and every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is
misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire" (an-Nasaa'ee)

And he used to say at the beginning of his lectures, "and the best speech is the Speech of
Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst of all affairs
are the newly invented matters (in the religion)" (Muslim)

And he commanded us, "whosoever does an action which we have not commanded then it
must be rejected." (Muslim)

And again,"whosoever introduces into this religion of ours that which is not part of it
then it must be rejected" (Ahmad)

'And in this hadeeth is a clear evidence that every action which is not legislated in the Shareeah
must be rejected' [Jaami al-Ulum of ibn Rajab 1/120]

So every Bidah that is introduced in the religion has to be rejected because only Allaah
and His Messenger have the right to legislate in the Shareeah of Islaam.

Hence in the light of what has preceded we can now give the formal Shareeah definition of Bidah:
"A newly invented way (in beliefs and actions) in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee'ah, by
which nearness to Allaah is sought, not being supported by any authentic proof, neither in it's
foundations nor in the manner in which it is performed." [al-I'tisaam 1/231 of ash-Shaatibee]

And in what has preceded is ample evidence for any fairminded Muslim that all Bidah is
blameworthy, and in fact a major sin. But unfortunately the Muslims are in such a state today that
the words of Allaah and His Messenger are no longer enough to convince them. And certain groups
of people have come up with a new belief to assist them with the destruction of Islaam. The belief
of 'Bidah Hasanah', i.e. a good Bidah, meaning that a scholar can introduce a new action of
worship in Islaam which can be considered to be good as long it does not contradict any of the
principles of Islaam. A belief that has absolutely no foundation in Islaam at all. So we resort to the
sayings of the Companions and the Imaams to illuminate the road ahead of these people.

The Sayings Of The Companions:

Abdullaah ibn Umar states, "every innovation is misguidance, even if the people
regard it as good." (ad-Daarimee)

This narration is enough to demolish the concept of 'a good Bidah', for you have amongst the
most knowledgeable companions of Muhammad saying the exact
opposite. So who do you choose to follow, ibn Umar or these modern day Shaykhs
and Mullahs who are Imaams of their own whims and desires.

Abdullaah ibn Abbaas said, "do not sit with the people of innovation, for verily
their sittings are a sickness for the hearts" [ash-Shareeah pg 65 of al-Aajurree (d.360)]

Mu'aadh bin Jabal used to say, whenever he sat in a circle of knowledge, "and I
warn you of what is innovated, for all that is innovated is misguidance" [ash-Shareeah
pg.55, also Abu Dawood with similar wording]

Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud said, "follow the Sunnah of Muhammad and

do not innovate, for what you have been commanded is enough for you." [ad-Daarimee]

Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman said, "every act of worship that the Companions did not
do, do not do it" [Abu Dawood]

Is this not enough? That the Companions tell us to follow the way of Muhammad
and not to make up new ways of worship? "whomsoever Allaah guides to the truth, none can
misguide him, and whomsoever Allaah misguides, none can guide!" [Muslim]

The Sayings Of The Second And Third Generation

Scholars:

Hasan al-Basree said, "do not sit with the people of innovation, do not debate with them or
listen to them" [ad-Daarimee 1/121]

Abu Aaliyah said, "learn Islaam. Then when you have learned Islaam, do not turn away
from it to the right or to the left. But be upon the Straight Path and be upon the Sunnah of your
Prophet and that which his companions were upon. And beware of these innovations because they
cause enmity and hatred amongst you, but stick to the original state of affairs that was there
before they divided." [al- Hilya of Abu Nu'aym 2/218]

Sufyaan ath-Thawree , "innovations are more beloved to Satan than sin. Since a sin may be
repented from but an innovation is not repented from." [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 and his Companions .

Imaam al-Awzaa'ee said, "patiently restrict yourselves to the Sunnah, stop where the
people stopped, say what they said, avoid what they avoided. Take to the path of the salaf, for
indeed what was sufficient for them was sufficient for you." [ash-Shareeah pg. 58]

Ibraaheem al-Masayrah said, "he who honours an innovator has assisted in the demolition
of Islaam" [Sharh Usul I'tiqaad 1/139]

The Sayings Of The Later Imaams:

Imaam Abu Haneefah 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 said, "he who innovates an innovation in Islaam regarding it as something
good, has claimed that Muhammad has betrayed his trust to deliver the message as Allaah says,
'this day have I perfected for you your religion'. And whatsoever was not part of the religion then,
is not part of the religion today." [al-I'tisaam]

He also said, "how evil are the People of Innovation, we do not give them salaam" [al-Ibaanah of
ibn Battah (d.387) no.441]

Imaam Ahmad 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]

As for the narrations from Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee in which he categorises Bidah into two,
then it is weak as all of it's chains of narrations depend upon unknown narrators. [al-Bidah of
Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee, al-Masaabeeh fee Salaatit Taraaweeh of as-Suyutee with Alee Hasans
footnotes]. Not only this but in his Risala he rejects the concept of Istihsaan because 'the person
doing so has legislated in the Sharee'ah' i.e. without permission from Allaah.

Imaam Bukhaaree said, "I have met more than a thousand scholars" (then he mentioned
the names of the more prominent in each of the lands that he travelled in) "and I found that they
all agreed on the following points: they all used to prohibit Bidah - that which the Prophet
and his Companions were not upon, because of the saying of Allaah ,
'and hold fast to the rope of Allaah and do not separate'" [Imaam Bukhaaree's article on
belief as quoted in Sharh Usul I'tiqaad 1/170. From amongst the scholars he met were: Ahmad bin
Hanbal, Abu Ubaid al-Qaasim, ibn Ma'een, ibn Aasim, ibn Abee Shaybah.]

What I have narrated here is just a small number of the many narrations that I have in front of me
from various books, I have tried to quote as best to my ability only authentic narrations, and
Allaah knows best. It is good to know that the early Imaams were prolific in writing
and warning against Bidah, and even today we have a number of books from them dealing just
with this topic. Amongst them: al-Bidah of al-Qarnushi, al-Bidah of ibn Waddah, al-I'tisaam of
ash-Shaatibee and many more.

So once this topic becomes clear, a truth that none can deny, then know that all these innovations
in the religions are a clear denial of the above mentioned verses and Ahaadeeth, for none were
done by the Companions.
So I leave you with the Hadeeth of the Prophet , "who so follows my Sunnah
has been guided, and he who follows the innovations has been destroyed." (Ahmad)

And our Lord the Most High is the One that guides to attaining the truth.

Follow the Narrations of the

Salaf
SATURDAY, 28 MARCH 2009 19:17 ADMINISTRATOR

Follow the Narrations of the Salaf

Innovating: to bring about, and to start, or to invent something; in the religion it
means inventing something new in the religion, after it has been
completed.

Allah, `Azza wa Jall, said,

[115 : ] .
And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after the
right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way.
We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil
destination. (Surat an-Nisa, Ayah 115)
From Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, Allahs Messenger, peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,

"
As to what follows, truly, the best speech is the Book of Allah, the best of guidance
is the Guidance of Muhammad, the worst of matters are those newly invented into
the religion, and ever innovation is misguidance. (Collected by Muslim)
Ibn Mas`ud said, Follow, and do not innovate, for you have been sufficed. (Sharh
as-Sunnah of al-Barbahari, 1)
From al-`Irbadh bin Sariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Allahs
Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us advice from which the hearts
trembled, and the eyes shed tears, so we said, O Allahs Messenger, it is as if this is
the advice of someone who is parting, so give us counsels. He said, I advise you
with the fear and obedience of Allah, and hearing and obeying, even if an Ethiopian
slave was put in charge of you; those who will live after me shall see much differing,
so upon you is my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the Righteous Caliphs after me-- bite
onto it with the molar teeth; beware of newly invented matters in the religion, for
indeed every innovation is misguidance. (Collected by Abu Dawud, 4607, Ibn Majah,
43, and at-Tirmithi, 2676, who said, This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.)
From Abu Qilabah, who related that Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him,
said, Seek knowledge before it is taken away, and the way it is taken away is by the
death of its people, seek knowledge, because not one of you knows when he will be
taken from this life or when he will be in need; and you will find some people alleging
that they are calling you to Allahs Book, however they have put it behind their
backs. So seek knowledge, beware of innovation, beware of being overly strict, and
overly investigating into issues, but rather be upon what is old (meaning what those
of old (predecessors) were upon). (Collected by ad-Darimi, 144, al-Bida` wa an-Nahi
`Anha by Ibn Wadhdhah 163, and as-Sunnah by Muhammad bin Nasr al-Mawrazi,
80.)
He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said, You have been brought up on
the pure nature, but you will innovate, and things will become new to you, so if you
see something new then remain upon the guidance of first. (Collected by ad-Darimi,
169, and as-Sunnah of al-Mawrazi, 80)
Huthaifa used to enter the Masjid and go to the place where people were sitting,
and say, O reciters of the Quran, take the correct path, because if you do, then you
will be ahead greatly, but if you take the paths to the left and right, then you have
deviated in a great way. (Collected by al-Bukhari, 7282, al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha
by Ibn Wadhdhah, 12, as-Sunnah of Abdullah bin Ahmad, 106, as-Sunnah of al-
Marwazi, 86)
Ibn Mas`ud al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, when to Huthaifa and said,
Make a promise to me. Huthaifa replied, Has not certainty in the religion come to
you? Al-Ansari said, Nay but it has, by the Glory of my Lord. He responded, Then
know that deviation truly is to acknowledge what you used to reject and to reject
what you used to acknowledge, and beware of being unstable in Allahs Religion
because Allahs Religion is one. (I`tiqaad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Laalikaai, 120, al-
Hujjah fi Bayaan al-Mahajjah of al-Asbahaani, 168)

Huthaifa bin al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, also said, Any kind of
worship that the companions of Allahs Messenger, peace and blessings be upon
him, did not worship Allah with, then do not worship Allah with it, because those who
were first did not leave any choice to those who were afterwards, so fear Allah O
reciters of the Quran, and take the path of those who were before you. (Al-Ibanah
by Ibn Battah)

From Abdullah bin Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, Whoever is
taking up a Sunnah, then let it be the Sunnah of the Companions of Muhammad,
peace and blessings be upon him. They were the best of this Nation, had the most
pious hearts, the deepest knowledge, and are the least who will be accounted for;
they are a people who Allah chose for the companionship of His Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, and Allah chose them to relay to us this religion, so imitate
their manners and their ways, because they were on the straight guidance. (Jami`
Bayan al-`Ilm wa Fadhluh of Ibn Abd al-Barr, 2/97, al-Hujjah fi Bayaan al-Mahajjah of
al-Asbahaani, 498, and ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 1143)

From `Uthman bin Hadhir who said, I said to Ibn `Abbas, Give me advice. He
said, Be steadfast upon the religion, upon following the narrations, and beware of
innovating. (Sunan ad-Daarimi, 141, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah 164)
 Az-Zuhri said, Those who have died, from among our scholars, said, Holding fast
to the Sunnah is safety and salvation; knowledge is taken away quickly. The life of
knowledge is the establishment of the Religion and livelihood, and the loss of
scholars is the loss of all of that. (Sunan ad-Daarimi, 96, I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-
Laalikaai, 136, and al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 166)

Muhammad bin Sireen said, They used to view one who is on the correct path as
one who follows the narrations. (Sunan ad-Daarimi, 140, I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of
al-Laalikaai, 109, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 250, and ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 30)

Mu`ath bin Jabal never used to sit in a group, except that he would say when he
sat, Allah rules with justice, those who are doubtful will perish. One day he said,
After you will come trials wherein money is abundant, the Quran will be opened so
that the believer and hypocrite will take from it, the man and woman, the slave and
free, the small and big. Soon, a person will say, Why do not the people follow me, I
have read the Quran? They will not follow me unless I invent something other than
it. So beware from whoever innovated because he has innovated a misguidance,
and I warn you from the deviation of the perceived wise man, because Shaitan could
say a deviant statement on the tongue of a wise man, and a hypocrite may say a
correct statement. So I said to Mu`ath, How would we know, may Allah have mercy
upon you, that the wise man is saying something deviant, and that the hypocrite is
saying something true? He responded, Avoid everything unclear or ambiguous
from the statements of the wise person, that if you heard it you would say, What is
this? but do not let that remove yourself from him, because he may retract, and
follow the truth if he hears it, because whoever is upon the truth has a light. (Sunan
Abu Dawud, 4611, I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 116, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah,
149, and ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 88)

`Umar bin al-Khattab said, I fear not for this Ummah from a believer who hides his
faith or from a sinner who makes his sin known; however I fear a person who reads
the Quran until it is very near to his tongue, then interprets it in a false manner.
(Jami` Bayan al-Ilm wa Fadhluh of Ibn `Abd al-Barr, 1242, and Sifat al-Munaafiq, of
al-Firyabi, 26)

From Ubaiy bin Ka`b, may Allah be pleased with him who said, Obligatory for you
is the path and the Sunnah because the fire will not touch a single slave who
mentions Allah until his eyes tear from the fear of Allah. Likewise there is not a slave
who is on the path and Sunnah who mentions Allah until his skin trembles from fear
of Allah, except that his likeness is the likeness of a tree when all of the trees leaves
dried up; it remains like that until a strong wind makes its leaves fall off, so just as
these leaves fall off and are removed, the likeness will be that such a persons sins
will fall off and be removed. Know that following a Sunnah and the path is better
than making Ijtihad only to end up in other than a Sunnah and the path. So look to
your actions, if they are following, make sure they are following the Sunnah and the
path, if they are making Ijtihaad make sure it is upon the methodology of the
Prophets, and their Sunnah. (Musannaf Ibn Abu Shaibah, 36675, I`tiqad Ahl as-
Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 10, and al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 259)
 Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, There will be shortcomings and matters which will be
unclear, so you must take things slowly, so that you will be a follower in good, which
is better than being a leader in evil. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah, 38343, and al-
Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 184)

He, may Allah be pleased with him, also said, A people will come who will
abandon things from the Sunnah as much as this meaning as much as a fingertip
and if you abandon them they will bring about a big calamity. The first thing people
of the book abandoned was the Sunnah and the last thing was the Salah. Had it not
been for the fact that they were people of the book, they would have completely
stopped making prayer. (Mustadrak of al-Hakim, 8584, I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-
Lalikai, 122, and al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 194)

He also said, How will you be if the Fitnah takes you over, when there will be an
increase in the number of youth and a decrease in the number of elderly and people
take it as a Sunnah, so that if any of it is changed, they say, The Sunnah has been
changed. They said, When will that be O Abu `Abd ar-Rahman? He responded,
When your reciters of the Quran become many, when those who are trustworthy
among you decrease in number, when your leaders and rulers become many, when
the number of scholars decreases in number, and when the Dunya is filled with
actions of the hereafter. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah, 38311, Sunan ad-Darimi, 185,
I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 123, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 764, and al-Bida`
wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah, 261.

He, may Allah be pleased with him also said, For every innovation that is brought
up as a plot against Islam, Allah has one of his friends who defends the religion, and
speaks about the true religions attributes, so seize the opportunity to be in such
areas, and put your trust in Allah. Ibn al-Mubarak said, Allah is enough to put your
trust in Him. (al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah, 4)

Ibn `Abbas said, By Allah, I do not see anyone that Shaitan would love to die as
much as he would love for me to die. It was said, Why is that? he said, By Allah,
an innovation is started in the East or West, then a person will bring it to me and by
the time he finishes speaking, I reject it using the Sunnah, so it is rejected on him.
(I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 12)

From Abu Idrees al-Khawlani who said, If I see a fire raging in the Masjid, it is
more beloved to me than seeing an innovation in it, which is not changed. (al-
Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 601, al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah, 86, as-
Sunnah of Abdullah bin Ahmad, 715, and as-Sunnah of al-Marwazi, 81)

From Ibn `Abbas who said, There will not be a time when people do not innovate
during it and kill a Sunnah, so that the bidah comes alive. This way, all of the
Sunnah is killed. (I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 125, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah,
11, al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah, 93, and as-Sunnah of al-Marwazi,
98)
 From Abdullah ad-Dailami who said, The first thing to be abandoned in the
religion is the Sunnah, then the religion will be lost, one Sunnah at a time, just as the
rope is broken one string at a time. (Sunan ad-Darimi, 97, I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of
al-Lalikai, 127, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 234, and al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha, of Ibn
Wadhdhah, 173)

From Salaam bin Miskeen who said, Qatadah used to, when he recited the verse,
{ }
Indeed those who said, Allah is our Lord, and then stood firm

He used to say, You people have said, Our Lord is Allah, so stand firm on Allahs
Orders and obey Him and follow the Sunnah of your Prophet, and remain back
whenever you are ordered. Steadfastness is to remain on Islam and on the correct
path, then do not go outside its boundary, or contradict that. Do not take an opinion
that is contrary to the Sunnah and do not leave the opinion because those who leave
the religion will have their actions will be cut off on the Day of Judgment.
Furthermore, beware of bad manners, make your face one (meaning do not be two
faced) and your Da`wah one, because we have been informed that whoever has two
faces and two tongues, will have two tongues of fire on the Day of Judgment. (al-
Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 163)

From `Aasim who said, Abu al-`Aaliyah said, Learn Islam, then if you learn it,
then do not stray from it. Follow the correct path, because it is al-Islam; do not
change the religion neither to the right nor the left; upon you is the Sunnah of your
Prophet that his companions were upon, and beware of desires that cause enmity
and dissent among people, reject them and pass by them cautiously.
I told al-Hasan about this, he responded back, He has told the truth and given
good advice.

`Aasim said, So I told Hafsah bint Sireen, she said, O Bahili, did you tell
Muhammad about this (meaning Muhammad bin Sireen the great Imam)? I said,
No, she said, Then go and tell him. (Musannaf Abd ar-Razzaq, 20758, I`tiqad Ahl
as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 17, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 142, al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha
of Ibn Wadhdhah, 75, as-Sunnah of al-Marwazi, 26, and ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 19)

Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab said, Ponder upon what Abu al-
`Aaliyah said here, and how great is what he said! He knew about his time and
warned of the desires during that time, because whoever followed them would have
strayed from Islam. Look at his explaining Islam by the Sunnah and his fear for
those who would come after him, of their straying from the Sunnah and the Quran
as for the person who reads this, and thinks to himself that he is safe, and is
certain about that, and thinks that it is regarding a people who thought they were
safe in the plan of Allah, only those who are losers do that.

From al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, who said, If a man who
lived in the time of the Salaf was resurrected in our times, he would not know
anything about Islam. Then he placed his hand on his thigh and continued, Except
this Salat. He then said, This is regarding a person who lives in this havoc, that the
Salaf did not encounter, he would see an innovator calling to his innovation, he
would see a person of Dunya calling to the Dunya, but Allah protected him from that,
and made his heart go out to that Salaf as-Salih. He would ask him (the Salaf) about
his path and would follow their ways, to attain a great reward, and that is how they
were, inshaAllah. (Al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah 176)

From the Commander of the Believers, `Umar bin `Abd al-`Azeez, rahimahullaah,
who said, Allahs Messenger, salla-llaahu `alaihi wa sallam, gave us Sunnah and so
did his commanders. To take these Sunnah means that one is affirming the Book of
Allah and that he is following Allahs Commands, and that he is strong upon Allahs
Religion, would not change it, distort it, nor look into anything contradictory to it.
Whoever acts upon it is rightly guided, and whoever gives aid to it will be given aid,
and whoever contradicts it and follows other than the path of the believer, Allah will
turn him to where he chose to turn, and will give him the torment of the fire, and what
an evil abode. (I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 134, al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah,
239, and ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 90)

Imam al-Barbahari said in Sharh as-Sunnah, Know that Islam is the Sunnah, and
that the Sunnah is Islam, one cannot be established without the other, from the
Sunnah is to remain in the Jama`ah, and whoever leaves the Jama`ah, has taken
the rope of Islam off of himself, therefore being misguided, misguiding others.

He also said, Likewise know, may Allah have mercy upon you, that the Islam of a
slave of Allah is not complete until he is a follower, a believer, and one who submits
to Allah. Whoever alleges that there is some part of Islam that the companions of
Allahs Messenger did not know of has belied them, and this is enough of a
disparagement of them.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah said when explaining the obligation of following
the way of the Salaf, How great is what has come from `Abd al-`Azeez bin `Abdullah
bin Abi Salamah, he said, You must follow the Sunnah, because in it, by Allahs Will,
is your safety, because the Sunnah was made so that it is followed, and that it is
restricted. The one who has made it as such is He who knows the mistakes, errors,
and idiocy in other than it, so make yourself happy with what they have made
themselves happy with, because they stopped based upon knowledge, and with
valid insight, they halted from certain actions, and they knew it (the Sunnah) the
best. Regarding the specifics, they were most proficient, for they are those who
have preceded us in good, and their Prophet has told them about the trials which will
befall [the Ummah] after the dawn of the three great generations. So if the true
guidance is what you are upon, then you have preceded them in it, and if you say
any type of innovation has come after them, because only those who have not
chosen their path would innovate. Whoever sees himself self-sufficient from them,
and has chosen what his mind has invented over what they reported from their
Prophet [has deviated], since those who followed them in goodness have narrated
from them, and they have explained it enough, and they have spoken with it as a
cure. Therefore, whoever does not do like them is deficient, and whoever does more
than what they did is extreme. Some people have not imitated them so because of
that they became restless, and all the others, became extreme; however they (the
Salaf) are upon a path in between those two, a straight path. (al-Fatawa, 4/7)

Imam Malik said, The Sunnah is like the Ark of Nooh, whoever rides it is saved,
and whoever turns away from it will drown. (Tareekh Baghdad, 3850)

From Abdullah bin al-Mubarak who said, Know, O my brother, that death today is
a pleasure for every Muslim who meets Allah upon the Sunnah, because indeed to
Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. To Allah we complain about our
loneliness and the departure of our brothers, and the lack of help [in defending the
Sunnah], and the appearance of innovation, and to Allah we complain about the
great calamity that is the departure of the scholars, Ahl as-Sunnah, and the
appearance of innovation. (al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah, 95)

Imam al-Awzaa`i said, You must follow narrations of the Salaf, even if the people
reject you, and beware of the opinions of men, even if they adorn it for you with their
speech, because this matter will become clear when it becomes clear, you are on the
straight path. (Sharaf As-hab al-Hadith, 6, ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, 124, Siyaru
A`lam an-Nubalaa, 7/120, and Tabaqat al-Hanabilah, 1/236)

From Sa`eed bin Jubair who said, No statement is accepted without an action,
and no action is accepted except with a statement, and no statement and action is
accepted except with intention, and no statement, action, or intention is accepted
unless it complies with the Sunnah. (I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah of al-Lalikai, 18)

Ibn `Awn used to say, May Allah have mercy upon a man who used to follow
these narrations, and sufficed himself with them, even if things became difficult and
slow (in gaining his sustenance and livelihood) for him. (Al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah,
270)

From Wahb bin Munabbih who said, The jurist, the chaste, the ascetic who
follows the Sunnah: they are the followers of the Prophets in all times. Muhammad
bin al-Husain said, May Allah make us and you from those who, because of which
the Sunnah is brought to life, innovation is brought to death, the hearts of the people
of the truth are strengthened, and the souls of the people of desires are crushed, by
His bestowment and His generosity. (Al-Ibanah of Ibn Battah, 39, and ash-Shari`ah
of al-Ajurri, 3)

Sahl bin Abdullah at-Tustari said, You must follow the narrations and the Sunnah,
because I fear that in the near future, if someone mentions the Prophet, peace be
upon him, and talks about following him, he will be censured, boycotted, the people
will distance themselves from him, they will look down upon him, and they will insult
them.
 From Saleem bin al-Akhdhar who said, I heard Ibn `Awn say more than once,
Three things which I enjoy for myself and my brothers is that a Muslim will study the
Quran, learns it, reads it, understands it, and looks through it. Secondly, that, a
person studies the narrations and Sunnah, then asks about it, and exerts effort into
following it, and thirdly, that they refrain from everything, except that which is good.
(as-Sunnah of al-Marwazi, 106)

From Ibn al-Majishun who said, I heard Malik say, Whoever invents something in
Islam and sees it as something good, has alleged that Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him, has betrayed the message, because Allah says,

{ }
I have completed your religion for you. So whatever is not religion on that day, is not
religion today. (al-I`tisam of ash-Shatibi, 1/62)

Imam Ibn Battah al-`Akbari said, I have mentioned in this chapter, what the
Prophet, peace be upon him, said, and ordered his companions to do, as well as
those who follow them in goodness, that is to follow the Sunnah, and to follow the
narrations which talk about the Sunnah; this should be enough for he who Allah has
made his heart able to understand and made his heart open to accepting it, because
Allah, `azza wa jall, promised the good of this world and the next for whoever follows
Allah and His Messenger, saying,
{

}
Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then such are with those who Allah has
bestowed His bounty upon: the Prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs, and the
pious, and what a good company that is.

He also promised whoever contradicts that, that which we ask Allah to save us
from, and we seek refuge from it, and whoever is described with it, He said,
}

{
And whoever disobeys the Messenger after the guidance has been made clear to
him and follows other than the path of the believers, then we will direct him to where
he chose to go, and will give him hellfire; and what a bad abode!

So may Allah have mercy upon a slave who obeys this warning, and follows the
narrations, and followed the clear truth, and stayed away from the destructive
innovations.

Taken from the books:

Al-Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaibah, D. 235
Al-Bida` wa an-Nahi `Anha of Ibn Wadhdhah al-Qurtubi, D. 287
As-Sunnah of Ibn Abi `Aasim, D. 287
As-Sunan of `Uthman bin Sa`eed ad-Darimi as-Sijistani, D. 280
 As-Sunnah of Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal, D. 290
As-Sunnah of Muhammad bin Nasr al-Marwazi, D. 202
Sifat al-Munafiq of al-Firyabi, D. 301
Sharh as-Sunnah of al-Barbahari, D. 329
Ash-Shari`ah of al-Ajurri, D. 360
Al-Ibanah `An Shari`ah al-Firqah an-Najiyah of Ibn Battah al-Akbari, D. 387
Sharh I`tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah of Hibbatullah bin al-Hasan at-Tabari
al-Lalikai, D. 418
Al-Hujjah fi Bayan al-Mahajjah wa Sharh `Aqeedat Ahl as-Sunnah of Abu al-
Qasim al-Asbahani

1- From Ubay bin Kaab RadhiAllaahu anhu- (d. around 30 A.H.) who said:

Upon you is to hold onto the correct path and the Sunnah, since indeed there is none from
the slaves of Allaah who is upon the correct path and the Sunnah, and when he remembers
Allaah Taala whereby his eyes shed tears due to the fear of Allaah, then the Hell-fire will
never touch him.

[From Zuhud by Abu Dawood/199]

2- Abdullah bin Masood RadhiAllaahu anhu- (d. around 33 A.H.) said:

Limiting oneself to the Sunnah is better than striving in Bida (innovations).

[From Zuhud by Ahmad/198]

3- Also by Abdullah bin Masood RadhiAllaahu anhu- (d. around 33 A.H.) that he said:

Follow and do not innovate because it is sufficient for you, and every Bida is misguidance.

From Muhammad bin Muslim ibn Shihab Zuhri (d. 124 A.H.) that he said:

Adhering to the Sunnah is success.

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/56]

4- From Hasan al-Basri (d.110 A.H.) who said:

Statements cannot be correct except with actions; Statements and actions cannot be correct
except with an intention; and statements, actions and an intention cannot be correct except
according to the Sunnah.
[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/57]

5- From AbdurRahmaan bin Amr al-Aawzai (d.156 A.H.) that he said:

We follow with the Sunnah, where ever it goes.

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/64]

6- From Awn bin Abdullaah (d. around 110 A.H.) who said:

Whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah, then he has the glad tidings of all that is good.

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/67]

7- From Ibn Yahya who said:

There is no Path leading to Paradise except the path of those who follow the Athaar
(narrations).

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/88]

8- From Mujahid (d. around 110 A.H.) who said:

The best worship is having a good opinion which means following the Sunnah.

[From Hileeyat Al-Awaaliyah 3/293 ]

9- From Wahab bin Munabih (d. around 110 A.H.) that he would say:

Tooba (a tree in Paradise) is for the one who looks at his own shortcomings rather than the
shortcomings of others. Tooba is for the one who humbles himself for Allaah without
degrading himself. May Allaah have Mercy on the people of humility and servitude. He gives
charity for the wealth gathered in a Halaal way and sits with the people of knowledge and
gentleness and wisdom, and the Sunnah is sufficient for him and does not transgress to
Bida.

[From Hileyat Al-Awaaliyah 4/67 ]

10- From Fudayl bin Ayaad (d. around 180 A.H.) who said:

Follow the paths of guidance and the few who follow it, and it will not harm you. Beware
of the paths of misguidance and do not be deceived by the large number of those destroyed.

[From al-Itissam 62 ]

11- From Muhammad Ibn Sireen (d. 110 A.H.) who said:

As long as a person is with the Athaar then he is on the Siraat (correct path).

[From ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah161 ]

12- From Muhammad bin Muslim ibn Shihab Zuhri (d. 124 A.H.) who said:

Our scholars in the past would say: Indeed adhering to the Sunnah is success.

[From Hileyat Al-Awaaliyah]

13- From al-Fudayl bin Ayaad (d. around 180 A.H.) that he would say:

Follow a good life: Islaam and the Sunnah.

[From ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah 174 ]

14- From Muhammad bin AbdurRahmaan Ibn Abi Dhib (d. 157 A.H.) that he read a Hadeeth
and it was said to him: Do you take this opinion? So he hit the mans chest and screamed.
And he said: I narrate to you from the Messenger of Allaah, -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-
and you say that should I accept this? Yes I take this, and that is obligatory for me, and upon
everyone who hears it. Indeed Allaah chose Muhammad -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- from
the people and guided them by him, and upon his hands, so it is upon the creation to follow
him, the obedient ones or the disobedient ones, there is no exit for the Muslim from this.

[From: Siyaar Alaam an-Nubala 7/142 ]

15- From ar-Rabeeya bin Sulayman (d. 270 A.H.) who said: A man asked ash- Shaafiee
about a Hadeeth of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-, then the man said to him:
And what is your opinion?

Imam ash- Shaafiee trembled, shuddered and said:

Which sky will shade me and which earth will carry me if I narrate a Hadeeth from the
Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- and say an opinion other than that of the
Hadeeth. And he said: If you find a Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi
wa sallam- then follow it and do not turn to the saying of anyone.

[From Hileyat Al-Awaaliyah 9/107 ]

16- From Abu Uthmaan al-Hayree (d. 298 A.H.) that he said:

Whoever commands the Sunnah upon himself in statements and actions then he speaks with
wisdom. And whoever commands al Hawaa (following of desires) upon himself then he
speaks with Bida.

Allaah Taala said:

<<If they obey you then they will be guided.>>

[From: Siyaar Alaam an-Nubala 14/64 ]

17- From Ayoob as-Sahktiaani (d. 131 A.H.) who said:

Indeed from the happiest of the youth and non-Arabs is whom Allaah guides to a scholar
from the people of the Sunnah.

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 2/60 ]

18-From Ibraheem bin Ishaq bin Ibraheem al-Harbi (d. 285 A.H.) who said:

It is necessary for a man if he hears anything of the manners of the Prophet -sallAllaahu
alayhi wa sallam- that he holds onto it.

[From al-Jamia akhlaaq ar-Rawee 1/142 ]

19- From al-Hasan (d.110 A.H.) who said:

Acting upon a little of the Sunnah is better than acting upon a lot of Bida.

[From Shuab al-Eemaan 7/952 ]

20- From Saeed bin al-Musayib (d. 93 A.H.) who said that he saw a man doing a lot of Ruku
and Sujood [praying a lot of optional prayers] after the Fajr prayer, so he prohibited him from
it. So the man said: O Abu Muhammad, will Allaah punish me for the prayer?

He answered: No, but for opposing the Sunnah.

[From at-Tamheed 20/104 ]

21- From AbdurRahman bin Mahdi (d. 198 A.H.) that a group of the Ahl-ul-Bida were
mentioned in front of him and their striving in worship, so he said:

Allaah will not accept except that which is upon the Deen and the Sunnah, then he recited:
<< But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for
them>> [Hadeed: 27] So Allaah did not accept that from them and he reprimanded them
about it.

[From Hileyat Al-Awaaliyah 9/8 ]

22- From Jafar bin Ahmed bin Sinan (d. 307 A.H.) who said: I heard my father saying:

There is not a Mubtadi except that he hates the companions of Hadeeth. And if a man
innovates a Bida then the sweetness of the Hadeeth is torn out from his heart.

[From: Siyaar Alaam an-Nubala 12/245]

23- From Sufyaan ibn Saeed ath-Thawri (d. 161 A.H.) who said:

Bida is more beloved to Iblees (Shaytaan) than sinning. One repents from sinning, and one
does not repent from Bida.

[From Sharh Usool Itiqaad Ahl-us-Sunnah al Laalkaee 132 ]