INNOVATION: THE TERM USED IN ISLAM TO REFRAIN FROM

Innovation (Bidah) is normally called when something new is added in the traditional
matters. In Islam, innovation is forbidden which may cause deviation from the righteous
path.

There are two types of innovations.

(1) Objectionable Innovations
(2) Non-objectionable Innovations

The Islam has forbidden the Objectionable Innovations. Some groups of Islam mix this
type of innovation with the non-objectionable innovation and make the fitna and discord
between the groups and divide the community. The faulty aqidah groups create discord
in the community and divide the muslim community. Such groups make unnecessary
roar mixing both type of innovations and thus misguide the muslim community and
succeed in dividing the whole community into groups. Shirq (association of partner with
Allah) and innovations are misrepresented by some faulty aqidah groups and create
nuisance.

The main subjects in which the faulty aqidah people are mixing the objectionable
innovations with non-objectionable innovations are enumerated below.

(a)Graves of friends of Allah

(b)Sajad-e-tazim (Prostration of respect) to friends of Allah (saintly people)
(c)Music in praise songs (naat, devotional qawwalis, ashiqana and arifana kalams)
(d)Celebrations of birth day of Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh) and Birth and Death
Anniversary celebrations of friends of Allah

The above are the main subjects in which the faulty groups of Islam mix Objectionable
innovations into non-objectionable innovations.

In fact, the difference between objectionable and non-objectionable innovations in Islam

lay in the aqidah. The innovation in aqidah is objectionable innovation whereas the
innovations made without innovating the aqidah is non-objectionable innovation.

This may be understood like this. In Islam, there are five compulsory prayers. This is our
aqidah. Now if some group declares that there are six compulsory prayers, then that
group has changed (innovated) the aqidah. So, to declare that there are six compulsory
prayers is objectionable innovation in Islam. If we consider about compiling a quran into
a book is also an innovation as the quran was compiled into a book was done after
passing away of beloved Prophet (Pbuh). This was done in the time of Hazarat Abu
Bakar(RA) to Usman (RA). But this innovation is non-objectionable innovation.

Those innovations which support the Allah and Prophet(Pbuh)’s commands and traditions
are always valid and good. Those innovations which contradict and conflict with the
Allah and Prophet (Pbuh)’s commands and traditions are invalid and bad.
So, now it is crystal clear that what the hadis says “every innovation is a deviation from
the righteous path” is nothing but objectionable (invalid) innovations.

These two innovations must not be mixed with each other as good things and bad things
cannot be mixed.

The most of the derivations (valid/hala or invalid/haram) are based on these innovations.
Now the subjects shown above in (a) to (d) must be thoroughly studied and examined and
then proper derivation for them must be made.

Examples:
(1) Zabar/zair used in quran to properly pronounce the Arabic language by non- Arabic
people is an innovation as it came in the time of Usman (RA) and hence an innovation
but good and valid as it supports proper pronunciation of Arabic language used in quran.

(2)Collection of hadis into a book done long after Prophet (Pbuh) but valid and good as it
facilitates to see various hadis quickly and can help in its preservation.

(3)Watches used in Prayer times is an innovation but good and supportive to perform
prayers previously done by sun movements and hence valid.

(4)Travel by Aero planes is an innovation but supportive and facilitates the previous
traveling by boats and carts and hence valid and good. The aero planes were not used
during Prophet’s time in this physical world.

In the same way, the questionable issues on the above subjects go in favour of sahih
aqidah ahle sunnah Sufism group and is the only group which is true as per the Prophet’s
saying that there would be 73 groups in his ummah but one group would be in righteous
path and go to jannah.