Good Innovations / Biddah Hasana - Assim al hakeem

Summary

The speaker discusses the concept of innovation (bid'ah) in Islam, emphasizing that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned against all religious innovations, stating that every innovation leads to misguidance. The speaker refutes the idea of 'good innovation' (bid'ah hasanah), explaining that religious acts must be based on the Quran and Sunnah. The hadith about starting a good deed in Islam refers to encouraging others in righteous acts like charity, not innovating new forms of worship. Innovations in worship are considered misguidance, and those who introduce them bear the sins of those who follow.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized that every innovation in religious matters (bida) leads one astray and ultimately to Hellfire.
• 🔄 Some people attempt to link the hadith about initiating good deeds to justify 'good innovation' (bida hasana), but this is incorrect.
• 🗣️ The Prophet was known for his concise and meaningful speech, making clear that all religious innovations are misguided.
• ⚠️ It's important to distinguish between religious innovations and worldly practices (e.g., technology), as only the former is condemned.
• 🕌 In a specific incident, the Prophet encouraged charity, and one Companion took immediate action, inspiring others to do the same.
• 💡 The hadith about initiating good deeds refers to starting a righteous act like charity, which is already part of Islamic teachings.
• 🚫 Introducing new forms of worship or rituals that the Prophet or his Companions didn’t do is considered a harmful innovation.
• 📚 Scholars may sometimes offer differing opinions, but the teachings of the Prophet always take precedence in matters of religion.
• 🤲 Acts like celebrating the Prophet’s birthday (mawlid) or other innovations are not supported by the Prophet or his Companions.
• ❌ Misguiding others with religious innovations can lead to bearing the burden of their sins on the Day of Judgment.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented by Hara regarding the Hadith on starting something good?

Hara argues that some people distort the Hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that those who start something good will earn the reward for it if others follow. These people use this Hadith to justify innovations in religion, which they call 'bida husana' or 'good innovation.'

How does the speaker refute the concept of 'good innovation' in religion?

The speaker refutes 'good innovation' by emphasizing that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly stated in multiple Hadiths that every innovation (bida) leads astray and ultimately to Hellfire. The Prophet generalized that all innovations in religious matters are bad, leaving no room for the idea of 'good bida.'

What does the speaker say about the articulation of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)?

The speaker highlights that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most articulate Arab and that his words were concise and full of meaning. Nothing he said was without intention or purpose, making his statements highly authoritative.

What is the significance of the Hadith regarding guiding people to righteousness?

The Hadith states that whoever guides people to something righteous will earn the reward of those who follow without diminishing their reward. The speaker clarifies that this Hadith does not support innovation but encourages following good deeds that are already prescribed in Islam.

What example does the speaker use to explain the Hadith about starting a good deed?

The speaker gives the example of when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged charity after seeing poor people in the mosque. A companion responded by bringing a large bag of charity, and others followed suit. The Prophet praised this action, but it was based on an established principle of charity in Islam, not an innovation.

Why does the speaker reject the idea of celebrating the Prophet's birthday (mawlid) as a 'good innovation'?

The speaker rejects this by stating that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his companions, and the following generations did not celebrate his birthday. Therefore, introducing this as a religious practice would be an innovation, which is prohibited in Islam.

What distinction does the speaker make between innovations in rituals and worldly matters?

The speaker distinguishes that innovations in worldly matters, such as wearing a watch or using modern technology, are not considered innovations in religion. However, innovations in religious rituals or acts of worship are strictly forbidden.

How does the speaker describe the consequences of introducing innovations in religion?

The speaker warns that those who introduce innovations in religious matters will not only carry their own sins but also the sins of those who follow them in these innovations, without diminishing the followers' own sins.

What is the speaker's stance on following scholars who support certain innovations?

The speaker argues that even if some scholars support certain innovations, the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) take precedence. Following these scholars would mean disregarding the Prophet's clear statements on the prohibition of innovations.

What should Muslims focus on to avoid falling into innovation, according to the speaker?

Muslims should focus on following the Quran, the Sunnah, and the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. They should avoid introducing or following any religious practices that were not part of these original teachings.