Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Concerning the innovations


The Messenger of Allaah (SalAllahu alaihi wa Salam)said: “Every innovation is misguidance and going astray.” [Reported by Abu Daawood, no.4607 and it is saheeh.]
The Messenger (SalAllahu alaihi wa Salam) also warned against the people of innovation, from befriending, supporting or taking from them saying: “Whoever innovates or accomodates 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)]
Imaam Bukhaaree (rahimahullaah) said:
I met more than a thousand men amongst the people of knowledge from the people of al-Hijaaz, al-Makkah, al-Madinah, al-Koofah, al-Basrah, Waasit, Baghdaad, Shaam and Misr... and I never saw a single one of them differ with respect to the following matters...
... And they used to forbid and prevent [people] from the innovations - those that the Messenger (SalAllahu alahi wa Salam) and his Companions were not upon, due to His saying:
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves [Soorah Aali Imraam 3:103]
and due to His saying:
If you obey him [the Messenger], you shall be on the right guidance [Soorah an-Noor 24:54]
[Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (2/172-5), The Creed of Imaam Bukhaaree p.13,28 - al-Maktabah as-Salafiyyah Publications]

Ibn Abbaas (d. 68H) (radi Allahu anhu) 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) (radi Allah anhu) said: “Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people see it as something good.“ [Reported by Abu Shaamah (no. 39)]
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) (rahimahullaah) said:“Innovation is more beloved to Iblees than sin, since a sin may be repented from but innovation is not repented from.” [Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (no. 238) ]
Al-Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H) (rahimahullaah) said: “Do not sit with the people of innovation and desires, nor argue with them, nor listen to them.” [Reported by ad-Daarimee in his Sunan (1/121)]
Ibraaheem bin Maysarah (d.132H) (rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever honours an innovator has aided in the destruction of Islam.” [Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (1/139).]
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) (rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever listens to an innovator has left the protection of Allaah and is entrusted with the innovation.” [Reported by Abu Nu'aym in al-Hilyah (7/26) and Ibn Battah (no.444). ]
Imaam Maalik (d. 179H) (rahimahullaah) said: “How evil are the people of innovation, we do no give them salaam.” [Reported by al-Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah (1/234).]
Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (d. 204H) (rahimahullaah) said: “That a person meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better than meeting Him upon any one of the innovated beliefs.” [Reported by al-Bayhaqee in al-I'tiqaad (p.158) ]
Al-Fudayl bin 'Iyaad (d. 187H) (rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever sits with a person of innovation, then beware of him and whoever sits with a person of innovation has not been given wisdom. I love that there was fort of iron between me and a person of innovation. That I eat with a Jew and a Christian is more beloved to me than that I eat with a person of innovation.” [Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (no.1149)]
Al-Layth bin Sa'd (d. 175H) (rahimahullaah) said: “If I saw a person of desires (i.e. innovations) walking upon the water I would not accept from him." So Imaam as-Shaafi'ee then said: "He (al-Layth) has fallen short. If I saw him walking in the air I would not accept from him.”[ Reported by as-Suyooti in al-Amr bil 'Ittibaa wan-Nahee anil Ibtidaa'.]

Compiled by Yusuf Atiff Diab
Source: Sharh Usool ul-I'tiqad of Imaam al-Laalikaa'ee (Eng. Trans by Abu 'Iyad as-Salafi) Article ID : BDH020002