Criteria for Distinguishing Sunnah and Bid’ah (innovation) (Part One)
Abstract
It is important to understand that Sunnah and Bid’ah (innovation) are two opposing categories, where the presence of one necessitates the absence of the other. When something is designated as a Sunnah, it is simultaneously ruled out as an innovation. Similarly, innovation inherently undermines the Sunnah, and no innovation can be classified as a Sunnah. To gain a proper understanding of this issue, it is essential to carefully examine and reconcile the concepts of these two terms. Moreover, innovation warrants more scrutiny than Sunnah, as the meanings and concepts of the latter have already been widely understood and explained.
None of the Islamic sects have doubted the strict sanctity of innovation, and some have even considered the principle of its sanctity as a religious necessity. However, throughout history, in the struggle against innovation—due to the lack of proper clarification regarding its nature, rules, and regulations—the paths of extremes and excesses have sometimes been taken. This has led to the excommunication and even killing of many innocent Muslims. In this way, the issue of the sanctity of innovation, which was initially aimed at preserving the integrity of the religion from deviations, became a tool for influence and conspiracy against the enemies of Islam.
Keywords: Sunnah, Bid’ah (innovation), Qur’an, hadith, extremes and excesses.
Introduction
One of the levels of monotheism is monotheism in legislation, meaning that lawmaking belongs to Allah, and no one has the right to legislate for individuals or society without His permission. Additionally, no one is allowed to interfere in the laws established by Allah. Claiming authority over divine law is considered Bid’ah (innovation), and none of the Islamic sects has ever hesitated to respect innovation and to attribute falsehoods to the religion. Essentially, innovation in religion is viewed as a form of polytheism regarding Allah’s law-making authority and constitutes a grave sin that threatens the existence and authenticity of divine religion.
Sunnah serves as a light to which human salvation and guidance are entwined. The Sunnah remains firm and stable under the careful watch and attention of its followers, although their actions may be subtle. As stated: «تبیض وجوه و تسود وجوه» (“Remember the Day when some faces will be white and others will be black”). Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The faces of the people of Sunnah and unity will be white, while the faces of the people of innovation and division will be black.”
The adherent of Sunnah possesses a clear heart and conscience, obeying the commands of Allah and His Prophet both outwardly and inwardly. Conversely, the innovator has a dead heart and a dark spirit, darkness reigns over the innovator’s heart and status. If Allah desires to guide someone, He will liberate them from this darkness and guide them to the light of Sunnah.
Scholars are divided into two categories regarding the limits of innovation:
1. One group has exaggerated in labeling everything as Bid’ah (innovation), readily designating any newly emerging issue as Bid’ah without sufficient justification. This group may have opened the door to innovation and possibly categorized some Sharia and Sunnah matters under it.
2. The second group has been overly strict in their classification of Bid’ah (innovation), narrowing the definition so that they include only widely recognized innovations while considering many actual innovations as part of Sharia and Sunnah.
One group has fallen into excess by including matters that are not truly innovations, while the other has shown excessive tolerance by categorizing innovations under Sharia and Sunnah. Consequently, it is evident that both groups have erred in understanding the meaning and concept of innovation, which has led to a misunderstanding of Sunnah. Sunnah and innovation represent opposing concepts; it is apparent that each group gravitates toward one extreme, deviating from the moderate path on the other side.
Thus, the aim of this article is to clarify the meanings of Sunnah and Bid’ah (innovation), present scholarly opinions, outline the types of innovation and their restrictions, and enumerate the aspects of Sunnah, supported by Qur’anic and hadith proofs, to guide followers of Sunnah in avoiding innovation.
