I hate "BUT THAT WAS 1400 YEARS AGO" as an excuse to reject something clear in Islam

I really, really hate, actually, I disregard intellectually and totally don't mean to, another person's argument, when that other person tells me this famous line "but that was 1400 years ago" in response to an order they are rejecting in a Sahih hadith or the Qu'ran.

Really? That was 1400 years ago, now was it? Didn't the Qu'ran say, 1400 years ago, that when you say "la illah il Allah, Mohammdan adbu rasoolulah" then you have to believe also in the Qu'ran:

"This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion."-- [Qur'an 5:3]

and in everything there written, and follow what The Messenger gives one, and abstain from what he forbids one.

"Take what the messenger gives you and abstain from what he forbids you. " [Qur'an 59:7].

So obviously, whatever was written in the Qu'ran (albeit) in context, is as required of the Muslims, as it was then. 1400 years ago or not. And if the Messenger of Allah told us not to do something, well then, we shouldn't. If we do disregard the commands of Allah and/or his Messenger (it's one and the same, says the Qu'ran in many places, over and over and over): [http://theidealmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/12/is-sunnah-part-of-revelation.html], it is much the same as disregarding "la illah il Allah, Muhumad abdu rasoolulah"

Recently I engaged in a debate on a blog, non-specific to Islamic content, on a post about religious discrimination about Muslims in the USA, Tennesse specifically, where a Mosque to be built was protested and then vandalised. As is typical, a commentator remarked:

I wonder what would happen if they tried to build a church in Saudi Arabia? And I wonder what would happen if a Muslim there chose to convert to Christianity? I fear the backlash would be far more violent and extreme than a bit of vandalism and a lawsuit (which will probably fail).

To which I replied:

Anonymous: There WERE no Christians formally living in Saudi Arabia (which wasn't [then] under the rule of the Sauds) after the death of the Prophet Mohamed SAW. So if you want to blame any backlash on Christians in KSA, blame the Saudi govenment for importing cheap domestic workers of other religions than Islam THERE to need/require a Church under their rights in the first place. It wasn't supposed to be done in ISLAM at all. The lazy population as it has come to be were only supposed to have Muslim servants if any but hey, they said, we are lazy[,] we need [workers to do our work for us], let's break the Islamic law that says no non-musliums in KSA in the first place ourselves, and then punish THEM when they want to convert people or build churches.

And Saudi Arabia isn't based on religious freedom. Duh [k, I shouldn't have "duh\ed but most people who write about KSA know NOTHING about it].

But America is supposed to be, including Tennessee.

Mohamed sallalahi wa salaam said: "Expell the Jews and Christians from the Arabian pennisula" Sahih Al Bukhari.

This was carried out in a slow process under Umar, the second Caliph, where Jews and Christians were given big tracts of fertile land outside the Muslim holy lands and freedom to trade with the Muslims.

To which, I got a response I didn't really expect, and the parts I personally disagreed with, I will post here:

Their acceptance of foreign workers however is not a fault, and in the present time it would be extremely backward to resist this. What happened in your example was 1400 years ago and times have changed since then, thank God. Those that think we should be staying static, clinging to 1400 years ago are doing an injustice to Islam and preventing the natural development of humanity. If God didn't want us to move on from those times he might as well have wiped us all out then. Also, I think calling an entire nation lazy is a bit unfair.

Have you ever tried to warn someone of an innovation to laws of Allah to only have them come back at you with "driving a car, using a computer and talking on the phone is an innovation too, so what you are calling an innovation cannot possibly be valid?" "This is ALL 1400 hundred years ago nonsense."

As sis Jamilah posted on her blog http://revertmuslimah.blogspot.com/2009/12/innovation-fyi.html , the innovations and changes to the laws of Allah we are talking about have to do with innovations on the religion, NOT on technological or even social changes.

So, I had to say in response to the argument "What happened in your example was 1400 years ago and times have changed since then, thank God. Those that think we should be staying static, clinging to 1400 years ago are doing an injustice to Islam and preventing the natural development of humanity" that when Muslims talk of women's rights, they say, look at what Islam says and the Prophet said and did, and that was pretty perfect 1400 years ago. What is DONE now by KSA to women today is NOT part of Islam, Muslim women like the one who wrote the comment I diagreed with and myself would both argue. "KSA would say, well, the world has changed, people are more evil now." The argument "What happened in your example was 1400 years ago" is doing the same corrupt thing, saying Islam was not perfect then, or the world requires something different than what Islam prescribes.

I am not the one saying women can't drive today, whereas they could 1400 years ago, following exactly what Islam prescribes, camels donkeys, what have you... And I will NEVER BE THE MISGUIDED ONE saying let us cause the problem that NEEDS one to break Shariah law (forbidding the import of non Muslims into the Arabian peninsula), ect...to need building of Pagan things or import of false doctrine into a place saved by Rasoolulah.

The Prophet Mohamed said pretty clearly, and the hadith is sahih: "Expell the Jews and Christians from the Arabian pennisula" Sahih Al Bukhari.

I am not saying we can't have cars, ect, ect... or have to live in mud houses, but Quran and Sunnah is pretty clear on what is halal and what isn't for a Muslim nation. Well, importing workers of Non-Muslim faith to live and work there, not in the Dhimmi culture, is also not part of Islam. It is not backwards for me to say that. I am repeating what the Prophet Mohamed SAW said.

Nor should it be offensive for me to say, not following this pure, easily understandable command from Rasuloolah, that those who wouldn't are lazy.

It was said, and not by myself: "I think calling an entire nation lazy is a bit unfair."

For KSA, there are MANY, MANY tasks, that the local population could fulfill, or even just the UNEMPLOYED WOMEN IN KSA, that would then lesson the foriegn non-muslim population. Cashiers, road maintenance, construction... But pride, and nationalism, plus greedy bosses who pay unfair wages, make these things off limits for Saudi society that suffers from a high unemployment rate. I call that lazy. Not on individuals, but on the cultural way of dealing with supply and demand of work.

It IS INCREDIBALY lazy. And I know alot of Saudis who'd call their culture lazy. Even themselves. I knew hundreds of Saudis, and only 1 who'd ever take a job doing manual labour (he's a guy) for a even a high salary. I lived with them for 5 years. Believe me.

If Saudi had followed the natural course of the law from Islam's Messenger, arguing about building Pagan things in KSA wouldn't even be an issue for our enemies to wave against us. In these cases, following the law of 1400 years ago, is a BETTER OPTION, then the ones available now.

The Messenger of Allah said: "Indeed, the most evil of matters in the religion are the newly invented ones, and every innovation in the religion is bid`ah, andevery bid`ah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire."

I will quote sis Jamilah, who said "I feel true embarrassment for those who use the 'well you drive a car' argument to defend some innovation that they are attached to. May Allah swt guide them and protect them."

Ameen.

So I repeat.

If Saudi had followed the natural course of the law, this wouldn't have been needed. In these cases, following the law of 1400 years ago, is a BETTER OPTION, then the ones available now.

That's kind of the one little annoying thing about something that is a truth. It doesn't grow untrue, no matter how much time passes, or how long it is ignored.

Now, if you have been one of those using the, "But that was 1400 years ago" argument, I guess you could always be left to argue: "If God didn't want us to move on from those times he might as well have wiped us all out then."

No offence, and I really mean none. Islamic law and politics facsinate, and I find Saudi Arabia to be terribly hypocritical, because they keep what laws as they see fit, and break the ones that mean they have to treat people more fair and give more money to people less than them ect... but if using that end point in logic, as my non-Muslim father does, why don't you just take it all the way and ask why did God create us at ALL with the ability to choose right from wrong?

If you aren't a Muslim, Philosophers have argued this FOR centuries, and I am SURE you can find some resources to help you find your answers.

But if you are one those you proclaim "la illaha il Allah, Muhammadan abdu rasoolulah":

Islam says, it is because God wanted us to submit to Him. And to recognize the Prophet Mohamed as the Messenger of God.

And in this case, the Messenger of God told us to do something.

And we didn't.

It's as simple as that.

And to quote sis Nida from http://theidealmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/12/revivalists-vs-reformers.html:

"I recognize that there are many problems in our Muslim communities we should be addressing, however we have to start solving these issues by changing our selves - not changing Islam. We need to reform ourselves, not Islam."

About Turbah: saying it is necessary for salat is a bidah

As I have said often (we may agree to disagree) I believe some Shia sisters add something to salat when they use a turbah (stating something or natural fibre ect like dirty, clay, or reeds, must be used for salat during prostration, ie you know that time when your head is on the ground????).

Adding something to salat that the Prophet Mohamed sallalahu alahi wa salaam did not is called a bidah. Honestly I don't think praying with your arms at your sides is a bida my shia & ibhadhi sisters. I think it is mustahaab (beneficial) to fold them across your chest in the manner most often done by the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam but I don't think it is a bidah to keep them at your sides. Just better the other way, as that IS more OFTEN the sunnah. Anyyyyyyyways, I have gone off topic as I tend to do....

I often feel that some shia sisters (and brothers) are missing the whole point of the hadith they quote to claim as proof that we are to use turbah. We can pray on anything clean is what the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam was saying, and he simply told us that earth, ie dirt and clay is clean. For example, dirt, clay, tile, ect are ALL clean. Praying on a surface of dirt or clay itself is not the bidah!!!!! Yes, my Sunni sisters with less than perfect adab, that is true! That the earth and the materials it contains EXCEPT FOR THOSE WE WERE EXPRESSLY TOLD WERE HARAAM are for us to pray on: In the Quran, Allah (SWT) has said "We have created for you the earth to prostrate on". So we know we are to pray on every corner of the globe, from the mountains, the snow, to deserts, and in our homes. Unless we were named something of the earth that was no halal to do so upon.

WHAT IS A BIDA is saying the clay or dirt are necessary for salat or make the salat more the sunnah. That's the bidah. *****Bringing a piece of clay in from somewhere so pray on? This is adding extra material to one's salat, an object, something the Prophet Salalahu alahi wa salaam NEVER DID.************ warnings, flashing lights, around this one. As if driving, use caution on this.

Those that do so from Karbala usually hold a narrative of hadiths (innovated and fabricated sources alas, and I am sorry to say this because so many of my shia sisters who I believe have been given falsified accounts) that "CLAIM" that Umm Salamah heard the Prophet say that clay from this place would turn red when his grandson Hussayn was killed. This is a false hadith of a chain of narration THAT DOES not date to the time period of the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam, or even four generations AFTER. It dates to a time period of the Persian Empire. So that is not evidence.

Looking at sahih evidence that sister Zaenab provided from her blog "Stylish Muslimah" [she is of the opinion in support of turbah---and has great fashion sense mashaAllah] I still say... you are misreading the point of the ahadith (in my opinion). Which is as I have stated numerous times on the same issue. Clean is halal.

I asked (and sister Zaenab tried, and Zaenab jazzakallah kheir for real and am sincere in this) someone to provide me a solid chain of narration stating the Prophet brought a piece of dirt with him inside on top of another clean surface to pray on. I said if one could, I would change my mind.

So here goes what I have been given so far [though I myself STILL have not read the hadiths in their full narration in the original Arabic and would like to]:

Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri: I saw Allah's Apostle prostrating in mud and water and saw the mark of mud on his forehead.
[Al-Bukhari, Sahih (English translation), vol. 1, book 12, no. 798; vol. 3, book 33, no. 244]

As I've said before, the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam told us that praying on dirt was clean and halal, not that it was a requirement of salat. This hadith does not prove a requirement of turbah, only of the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam praying OUTSIDE, and that obviously, mud may be dirty, but it is 100% clean and halal to use as a surface for salat.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: We used to pray with the Prophet in scorching heat, and if someone of us could not put his face on the earth (because of the heat) then he would spread his clothes and prostrate over them.
[Al-Bukhari, Sahih (English translation), vol. 2, book 22, no. 299]

Some will twist this hadith to say that the only time YOU ARE ALLOWED to use a mat ect and not dirt is if it too hot. Did the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi salaam say that? No. Does this hadith prove that. No. It says they prayed on the ground unless it was too hot. You know why? He did not wish to put his clothes on the ground. Clothing back then was a wealth and more of an expense than it is nowadays due to the time it took to make things. This hadith does not show use of a turbah or a requirement of earth. IN FACT IT SAYS HE USED HIS CLOTHING!

Narrated Maymuna: Allah's Apostle used to pray on a Khumra.
[Al-Bukhari, Sahih (English translation), vol. 1, book 8, no. 378]
According to al-Shawkani, a famous Sunni scholar, more than ten Companions of the Prophet (s) have narrated traditions mentioning his prostration on a Khumrah. And he lists all the Sunni sources recording these traditions which include Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Nasa'i and many others.
[Al-Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtar , Chapter of Prostration on the Khumrah, vol. 2, p. 128]

So what is a khumrah?A khumra IS A PRAYER MAT!!!!!!!!! It is not dirt brought into the home, or CLAY!!!! This hadith DISPROVES to me any claim that a turbah required, and yet is used as proof for a turbah? Yes, a khumra ie prayer mat is made out of natural materials like palm fibers in the Prophet's day, they didn't HAVE IKEA back then!!!!!!!!!! LOL. Synthetics weren't invented until the last 100 years or so. I am sorry but I am still looking for a hadith that says the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam brought a piece of dirt or clay into his home and stuck his head on it for salat. I have been made more certain of my stance, not less so, by the evidence provided.

AMMENDMENT AND ADDITIONAL DIGRESS (BY MOI):

And for the anon, I took out the Santa Caluse comment because it could be misconstrued as judgemental ect.... and I am not. [if you would like to edit my wording please help me to do so because my aim is not to judge or alienate anyone but to share opinions and facts and beliefs ect].

I love ALL my sisters in Islam, and alot of Sunnis do bidahs too, which I want to write more about soon, and WILL. For example, when a Shia sis is using a khumra made from palm leave and you have got your cotton sajadah, if you try and tell her what she is using is not of the Sunnah, and that she is out of the fold of Islam for what she's done, YOU MAY be, for simply being WRONG, and stating something Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala NEVER DID.

Which is why I was upset hearing about one of my shia sis kicked in the head during her Hajj. IF I WAS MUTTAWA I would simply say, "teach me why you are doing what you are doing, and then I will show you why I think that is not right, and we may both learn from eachother." WHICH IS THE SUNNAH of the Prophet Mohamed salalahu alahi wa salaam. People are often afraid of what they do not understand or what they cannot control. If I do not agree with your understanding after I showed you all that I knew, I may be upset, but I know that is for Allah to judge then, and all that is left is to pray for your guidance, and indeed guidance for me that I am on the correct path (go Surah Al Fatiha!!!!).

As Muslims our aim is to teach and to warn eachother. Not kick eachother in the head or belittle others.

If I honestly think I am right, I should be able to teach you or lead by example. I shouldn't have to drive you from places where I like to pray. AAaaaaaaaaaand that is my last thought for the day:). Love you all for the sake of Allah.

TAG RESPONSE: "Taraweeha Prayers Are Bidah?" and "There is No Such thing as Good Bidah"

So I was tagged by Cindi Epona'Bri from her blog (which for some reason is not showing when I try to open it I think she must have one with a lot of slideshows or something since my blogger apparently doesn't like those very much lol) to list 5 Ramadan posts by five different bloggers that I loved. Can I just re-post to my favourite Ramadaan post so far, lol? And another favourite post by a fellow blogger that I think is important for sisters to read? Cuz I am rather lazy at tags? I love it x5 so.... here is Sarah from S.O.S [Save Our Sunnah] http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/ with an interesting and informative post on how Taraweeha prayers are part of the Sunnah:

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Taraweeha prayers are bidah?

Some Muslim groups claim that Taraweeha prayers are bidah...this accusation is from a lack of understanding how Taraweeha prayers started & were organized. When Umar, raddi Allaahu anhu, was the Khalifah, he collected the Muslims to pray in congregation for taraweeha prayers, and said, "What a good bid'ah this is." [Bukhari] From this, they derive their belief of a good innovation. [the first article will explain how taraweeha prayers were part of the sunnah and not a biddah and the second featured blogger will explain how there is no such thing as a good bid'ah] Firstly, it becomes necessary to explain the context of what happened.

When the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam first emigrated to Madeenah, the Muslims prayed taraweeha individually, and then for three nights they prayed in congregation behind the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. After this, he stopped them doing so saying, "I feared that it would become obligatory upon you." So after this the Muslims would pray individually or in small congregations throughout the rule of Abu Bakr, and the beginning of 'Umar's rule. Then 'Umar came to the masjid and saw the Muslims praying in small groups behind different Imaams, so he collected them together in one congregation behind one Imaam and made the aforementioned statement [Bukhari]. So how can this action of 'Umar be understood to be a new act of worship when the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam did it during his lifetime?

Secondly, the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam gave the reason why he stopped the congregational prayer, because revelation was still descending, and he feared that praying in congregation might become obligatory upon his nation and hence make the religion hard upon them. After the death of Rasulallaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, revelation ceased so this concern was no longer necessary. Hence Umar raddi Allaahu anhu reinstated the taraweeha prayer in congregation during his rule because he knew that his action could not be made obligatory upon the Ummah.

Thirdly, all the companions agreed upon this action of 'Umar, thus there was a consensus (ijma) on it. And the scholars of Usool (fundamental principles) have stated that ijma cannot occur except when there is a clear text for it in the Sharee'ah. So what is the correct understanding of 'Umar's words, "a good bid'ah"?

The word bid'ah here is to be understood in its linguistic sense, "something new," because taraweeha in one congregation was not present during the rule of Abu Bakr and the beginning of 'Umar's rule, hence in that sense it was something new. The Sharee'ah sense (defined earlier) cannot be understood here because it does not fulfill the conditions of being a new act of worship. Abu Yusuf said, "I asked Abu Hanifah about the taraweeha and what 'Umar did and he said, 'The taraweeha is a stressed Sunnah, and 'Umar did not do that from his own opinion, nor was there in his action any innovation, and he did not enjoin it except that there was a foundation for it with him and authorisation from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.'" [Sharh Mukhtaar as quoted from him in al- Ibdaa of Shaykh Ali Mahfooz p80]

To read the rest of the post, click here http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/2009/09/taraweeh-prayers-are-bidah.html .

And then this little gem of a blog on how people twist Umar's statement to allow anything they want to enter into Islam, even if it takes them from Islam (scarrrrrrryyyyyyy stuff!)Habayeb from "A Learning Muslimah", link here http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/ .

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Good" Innovations?
As salaamu alaykum! I have always been confused when I see people promoting a Bida'a and calling it a "good" innovation. Innovations are innovations, good or bad. We have been given the freedom and opportunities to create innovations in our worldly affairs, yet we make innovations in our perfect Deen. I have been reading up on the topic and it's just so simply clear. Allah says that which translates as: “…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion…” (Al-Maa’idah:3) Imaam Maalik, rahimullah , said concerning this verse: "He who innovates a new Bid’ah in Islam considering it to be something good is in effect claiming that Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not fully convey the message of Islam… So whatever was not a part of the religion at that time (i.e.the time of the Prophet and his companions cannot be considered as a part of the religion today." Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yamaan, radhiallahu anhu, said: "Do not perform any act of worship which was not practiced by the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam because the early people (i.e. his companions) did not leave anything unaddressed…so follow the way of those who were before you." Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, rahimullah, said: "An innovation is dearer to Satan than a sin, for one can easily repent from a sin, but an innovation is not easily repented from (as an innovator thinks that he is on the correct path)."

The dangers of Bid’ah [and what bid'ah is] and their evil effects are as follows: bid’ah is a pre-cursor to disbelief, making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah, correcting the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or claiming that he had deficiencies, dividing the Muslim nation, abandoning the Sunnah, igniting disputes among the Muslims, accusing the Prophet of not completely conveying the message of Islam, competing with the Prophets in their prophethood, and altering the religion.

The claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators’ [on how a bid'ah can be good] and their refutations:

Claimed Evidence #1: Jareer Ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bujali may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islaam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim).

Refutation: Imaam Ash-Shaatibi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, answered those who attempt to use this Hadeeth as evidence of the permissibility of innovating by saying: "Using this Hadeeth as an evidence (to innovate) implies that different evidences (Ahaadeeth) contradict one another (because in other Ahadeeth, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam unequivocally warned against innovating)." Then he said: "The context of this Hadeeth is that it was said in a situation where charity was being given, and charity is something already legislated. The proof of this is actually to be found in the very same Hadeeth, if you were to read it *all*, as Jareer Ibn 'Abdullaah Al-Bujali, radhiallahu anhu, said: "We were with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (in the Masjid) just after dawn one day when some people entered barefooted and clad in woollen matting (or covered with sleeveless woolen blankets) with their swords hung around their necks. Most of them belonged to the tribe of Mudhar. The face of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam turned pale due to their wretched condition. Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam went into his house, re-emerged and commanded Bilaal to call the Adhaan, and the Iqaamah and then he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led the prayer. After the prayer, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam stood up and addressed people saying (that which translates as): “O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men andwomen. And fear Allaah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (An-Nisaa’: 1) “O you who have believed! Fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Hashr: 18). Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give in charity from (what you possess of) Deenaars (gold coins) Dirhams (silver coins) a Saa’ (a small measure of weight) of wheat or even a Saa’ of dates.” until he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give, even if it as little as half a date” Thereupon, a man from the Ansaar (residents of Madeenah) came with a bag of food which was so heavy that it was difficult for him to carry. Thereafter, people came successively until I saw two huge piles of food and clothes, and the Prophet’s face was bright as a glittering golden coin (due to his happiness). Then the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.”" (Muslim). Therefore, it is obvious that this Hadeeth refers to deeds that are already legislated and proven to already exist in the religion, which in this case was charity given by a certain companion of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Claimed Evidence: ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, remarked upon seeing people playing Taraaweeha in congregation that: "This is a good Bid’ah." (Bukhaari). Refutation: Imaam Ibn Rajab, rahimullah said: "Any words from the Salaf considering something as a good Bid’ah were meant in the linguistic and not the Islamic sense, such as the saying of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when he saw people praying Taraaweeh in congregation, that "This is a good Bid’ah."

Claimed Evidence:Ibn Mas’ood, radhiallahu anhu, said: "What the Muslims see as good is good in the sight of Allah and what they see as bad is bad in the sight of Allah." (Ahmad) . Refutation: As-Sindi, rahimahullah: "It is obvious that he was referring to the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and he was talking exclusively about those things that they had a unanimous consensus on, it does not include others. This is besides the fact that these were the words of a companion and not the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam."

Claimed Evidence: Al-‘Izz Ibn ‘Abdus-Salaam, rahimahullah, divided Bid’ah into five categories: obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked and prohibited. Refutation: Ash-Shaatibi, rahimullah, said: "This categorisation of Bid’ah is something new which has no supportive evidence to it, moreover, it contradicts the definition of Bid’ah, because any deed which has an evidence which legislates it to be obligatory, recommended or allowed is by definition not an innovation, and it would have been included in the general recommendation of good deeds. Therefore, considering a matter to be a Bid’ah yet claiming the existence of an evidence to recommend it is a contradiction in terms."

Reasons behind innovations are as follows: ignorance of the religion of Islam, following ones whims, clinging to doubts, the sole use of ration with no reference to the Islamic texts (Qur'aan and Sunnah), Islamic Scholars not fulfilling their expected role, dependence on weak or fabricated Ahaadeeth, extreme reactions to others errors, the failure to limit ones understanding of the Islamic texts to that of the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, blind imitation of the masses, not following the instructions of sincere scholars.

To read the rest of the post, click here

http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/2009/05/good-innovations.html