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.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Clarifying Misconceptions About Innovation in Islam

In this paragraph, the speaker addresses the misunderstanding regarding the concept of 'good innovation' (bida husana) in Islam. It starts with people distorting the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) about encouraging good deeds. The speaker emphasizes the importance of the Prophet’s words, asserting that every religious innovation (bida) leads people astray and ultimately to Hellfire. The speaker dismisses the idea of ‘good innovation,’ urging caution and criticizing those who claim to know better than the Prophet. He stresses that the Prophet explicitly warned against all innovations in religious matters, and the Prophet’s companions adhered strictly to these teachings.

05:01

💡 An Example of Charity in Islam – The True Meaning of Innovation

This paragraph recounts an incident where the Prophet (PBUH) encouraged charity during a time of need, which led to one companion taking the initiative to give a large donation. This action inspired others to follow suit, resulting in a pile of donations in the masjid. The Prophet praised this act, stating that anyone who initiates a good deed in Islam will receive a reward, along with the rewards of those who follow their example. The speaker highlights that this is not an innovation, as it is based on the Prophet’s explicit command to give charity, which is already established in the Quran and Sunnah. The speaker contrasts this with modern innovations in worship, which the Prophet and his companions never practiced, such as the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid), emphasizing that such acts are unauthorized and lead to sin.

Keywords

💡Hadith

A 'Hadith' refers to a report or narrative of the sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not distorting Hadiths, particularly those that discuss innovations in religion. It serves as the foundation for understanding what constitutes 'Bida' or innovation in Islamic practice.

💡Bida

‘Bida’ means innovation, specifically religious innovation, which is seen as something new introduced into the religion that was not practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or his companions. The speaker highlights that every Bida leads one astray and is warned against in Islam, as it is considered a deviation from authentic religious practices.

💡Bida Hasanah

This term refers to 'good innovation,' a controversial concept in Islamic discourse. Some argue that certain innovations, such as charitable acts, can be good if they are consistent with Islamic values. The speaker rejects this notion, arguing that no Bida, even if perceived as 'good,' should be introduced into the religion.

💡Sunnah

The 'Sunnah' refers to the practices, sayings, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which serve as a model for Muslims to follow. In the video, the speaker underscores that religious actions must align with the Sunnah and anything outside of it can be considered an innovation (Bida).

💡Charity

Charity (Sadaqah) is an act highly encouraged in Islam, supported by both the Quran and the Sunnah. The speaker uses the example of the Prophet encouraging his followers to give charity to show that such acts are not innovations but are clearly outlined in Islamic teachings, unlike innovations such as celebrating the Prophet’s birthday.

💡Misguidance

Misguidance in the video refers to leading people away from the authentic teachings of Islam by introducing innovations (Bida). The speaker warns that anyone who introduces a Bida will be held accountable for the sins of those who follow it, thus causing misguidance for both the innovator and their followers.

💡Sahih Al-Bukhari

Sahih Al-Bukhari is one of the most authentic collections of Hadiths in Islam. The speaker references it to explain the context of a specific Hadith and clarify the misconception that it supports innovation in religion. This underscores the importance of reliable sources in understanding religious teachings.

💡Companions of the Prophet

The Companions (Sahabah) are the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who lived during his lifetime. The speaker stresses that if the Prophet or his Companions did not practice a certain act, it should not be introduced as part of Islamic worship, as this would constitute a Bida.

💡Rituals

Rituals refer to prescribed religious practices in Islam, such as prayers, fasting, and charity. The speaker emphasizes that innovations (Bida) primarily concern rituals, and that introducing new rituals not practiced by the Prophet or his Companions constitutes deviation.

💡Reward and Sin

The concept of 'reward and sin' is central in Islam, where good deeds lead to reward and bad deeds to sin. The speaker explains that if someone initiates a good deed (like charity), they will be rewarded for it and for those who follow them. Conversely, if someone introduces a Bida, they will accumulate the sins of those who follow that innovation.

Highlights

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most articulate Arab, with concise and meaningful speech.

The Prophet always emphasized that every innovation (bida) in religion is wrong and leads astray.

Every innovation that leads people astray ultimately leads to Hellfire, as emphasized by the Prophet.

The Prophet used a generalization: 'Every innovation is bida,' meaning anything new introduced into religion that wasn't practiced by the Prophet or his companions is an innovation.

Some scholars have argued for the concept of 'bida hasana' (good innovation), but the speaker argues this contradicts the Prophet's statement.

The Prophet’s words about every innovation being wrong should not be challenged by scholars or others, as doing so questions the Prophet’s authority.

A hadith states, 'Whoever guides people to righteousness will have their reward and the reward of those who follow.' This has been misunderstood as supporting bida hasana.

The incident behind the hadith involves a poor tribe, and the Prophet encouraged charity, which led to immediate donations from his companions.

The Prophet encouraged giving charity, and one companion led by example. This inspired others to follow suit.

The hadith, 'Whoever initiates in Islam a good deed,' refers to actions already rooted in Islamic teachings, such as charity.

The speaker clarifies that there was no innovation (bida) in this incident since charity is well-established in the Quran and Sunnah.

The concept of 'good bida' in religious rituals is rejected since the Prophet and his companions never practiced such innovations.

The Prophet never celebrated his own birthday (mawlid), and neither did his companions, making such a practice an innovation.

Innovation pertains to rituals and worship practices, not technological or daily life advancements such as watches or airplanes.

The speaker warns that introducing innovations in worship, like post-prayer prostrations or blowing into a shirt, can lead to accumulating sins for those who follow these practices.

Transcripts

as Hara says some people distort the

hadith where the prophet salallahu

alaihe wasalam said if someone started

something good and people follow them in

that they will earn the reward for that

these people link this with innovation

and they call it bida husana a good

Buddha a good innovation can you

enlighten us on this please okay first

of all we have to set the ground rules

the prophet alayhi salatu salam is the

most articulate arab ever to walk the

earth and he was given the concise of

speech and his words are counted and

full of meaning and nothing is said just

like that without intending what's in it

every time the prophet has i'm used to

give grand sermons like they heed like

it's the scar like fridays he used to

emphasize that everything that is

innovated is a Buddha it's an innovation

and every innovation takes you astray

and everything that takes you astray

would lead you to Hellfire

he always reiterated this every

innovated things is a bidder every he

didn't say but he simply generalized

every so anything that is related to

religion and it's innovated the Prophet

didn't do it as some he didn't direct us

to do it the Companions didn't do it we

know that this is an innovation Who am I

who are you to come

say yeah yeah yeah but there is a good

innovation so are you telling me that

the profit when he said as I'm every

innovation is bad and takes you astray

so are you telling that his statement is

wrong and you know more what is this are

you a Muslim how dare you reject the

words of the Prophet as some as simple

as that

the I know I know there are scholars who

said that subhanAllah we're talking

about the Prophet of Islam some but

lawyers sell them and you're telling me

that there is Tom Dick or Harry who said

otherwise and you want to follow that

again are you a Muslim how is it

possible he said okay what do we do with

this hadith okay we move on to clarify a

misconception

what is the hadith whoever guides people

to righteousness or something that is

good he will have their reward and the

reward of all those who followed him

without it being missed on the day of

judgment so this is a clear statement of

good innovation okay let's assume that

can you please trace the origin of this

hadith hmm this is interesting and

challenging I will do my research so he

goes and he comes back with sahih

al-bukhari and the books of hadith

ancestors this is a hadith I found it

can you please tell me the incident that

took place he said okay

the incident was the Prophet was in the

Masjid saw a large salam and people from

modern the great tribe of newburgh went

or came in to the masjid but they had

clothes that were torn and signs of

poverty were apparent on them so the

prophets change of face are unchanged

and he rose the pulpit

and he addressed the people and he read

a verse or two of the Quran and then he

encouraged them to take a visor between

themselves and Hellfire through giving

in charity even by half a date not a

full date half of it it will help you

and the Companions were sitting there

listening to the sermon did not react

one come and the Prophet ended his

sermon who was waiting for the result so

one of the Companions rushed out of the

Masjid came back with a big bag almost

unable to carry it because of its

heaviness and placed it in front of the

Prophet I race a lot for cinema so it

was full of clothes charity food etc and

the moment companions saw this action

they immediately rushed out and came

back with whatever they could carry and

they piled a big pile in front of the

Prophet SM the Masjid and the prophets

face changed and became bright like the

full moon and he said and this is what

he said man sin fill Islam is Sunnah 10

husana whoever initiates in Islam a good

deed those who follow him will I credit

him with good deeds without them losing

any of their good deeds so he will take

like a rain check

because he's the one who started it and

the people followed suit

now this hadith is a clear indication

that there was no bidder involved 1 the

Prophet is the one who encouraged them

salallahu alaihe salam to donate and

give in charity to the companion

dead water prophet asked him to do did

he invent something new into the

religion nope

did he innovate a new prayer a new form

of Vicar nope

what did he do he gave in charity is

giving in charity mentioned in the Quran

yes is it mentioned in the Sunnah yes

did the Prophet order it yes allahumma

salli wa sallim ala muhammad then do

with all due respect will you come and

say throwing the mullet for the Prophet

arisu salam is a good bidder

a good innovation and I say okay did the

Prophet ever do such a thing

no did the Companions ever do such a

thing

nope did the tabie a never do such a

thing nope but still it's a good

innovation subhanAllah you will have all

the sins of those following you if you

innovate something in Islam now remember

that innovation deals with rituals with

forms of worship it doesn't deal with

wearing a watch or using a PDA or riding

a car or flying in an airplane these are

normal things that have nothing to do

with rituals and forms of worship but

when you come and say well after the

prayer is over

it is recommended that you put your hand

over your head and read dua or after

saying that ask are you open your shirt

and you blow inside of your shirt or

after fajar prayer is concluded and you

do your ask our and you're about to

leave it's good to offer a separate

prostration to thank Allah all of these

are bid on innovation and how many

people would follow you you will get

accredited with their sins without them

losing any of their sense you will come

on the day of judgement and find whoa

what the heck what is this I didn't do

all of these yes you did you guided them

or rephrasing it you misguided them

so this is a serious issue that we

should really be careful not to fall

into an Elan knows best