Concerning Bidah.

This issue may be divided into three topics:

1. Definition of bidah
2. Categories of bidah
3. Rulings on one who commits bidah does that make him a kafir or
not?
1. Definition of bidah.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
According to shariah, the definition is Worshipping Allah in ways that Allah has not
prescribed. If you wish you may say, Worshipping Allah in ways that are not those
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or his rightly guided
successors (al-khulafaa al-raashidoon).
The first definition is taken from the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
Or have they partners with Allah (false gods) who have
instituted for them a religion which Allah has not
ordained? [Quran 42:21]
The second definition is taken from the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him), who said:
I urge you to adhere to my way (Sunnah) and the way of the
rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa al-raashidoon) who come
after me. Hold fast to it and bite onto it with your eyeteeth [i.e.,
cling firmly to it], and beware of newly-invented matters.
So everyone who worships Allah in a manner that Allah has not prescribed or in a
manner that is not in accordance with the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) or his rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa al-raashidoon), is
an innovator, whether that innovated worship has to do with the names and
attributes of Allah, or to do with His rulings and laws.

With regard to ordinary matters of habit and custom, these are not called bidah
(innovation) in Islam, even though they may be described as such in linguistic terms.
But they are not innovations in the religious sense, and these are not the things that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was warning us against.
And there is no such thing in Islam as bidah hasanah (good innovation).
(Majmoo Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen, vol. 2, p. 291)
2. Categories of bidah
Bidah may be divided into two categories:
(i)

bidah which constitutes kufr

(ii)

bidah which does not constitute kufr

If you ask, what is the definition of bidah which constitutes kufr and that which does
not constitute kufr?
The answer is:
Shaykh Hafiz al-Hukami (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The kind of bidah
which constitutes kufr is when one denies a matter on which there is scholarly
consensus, which widely-known, and which no Muslim can have any excuse for not
knowing, such as denying something that is obligatory, making something obligatory
that is not obligatory, or making something haram halal, or making something halal
haram; or believing some notion about Allah, His Messenger and His Book when
they are far above that, whether in terms of denial of affirmation because that
means disbelieving in the Quran and in the message with which Allah sent His
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Examples include the bidah of the Jahamiyyah, who denied the attributes of Allah;
or the notion that the Quran was created; or the notion that some of the attributes of
Allah were created; or the bidah of the Qadariyyah who denied the knowledge and
actions of Allah; or the bidah of the Mujassimah who likened Allah to His creation
etc.
The second category, bidah which does not constitute kufr, is defined as that which
does not imply rejection of the Quran or of anything with which Allah sent His
Messengers.
Examples include the Marwaani bidahs (which were denounced by the greatest
Sahabah who did not approve of them, although they did not denounce them as
kafirs or refuse to give them bayah because of that), such as delaying some of the
prayers until the end of the due times, doing the Eid khutbah before the Eid prayer,
delivering the khutbah whilst sitting down on Fridays, etc.
(Maaarij al-Qubool, 2/503-504)
3. The ruling on one who commits bidah is he regarded as a
kafir or not?
The answer is that it depends.
If the bidah constitutes kufr, then the person is one of the following two types:
(i)

Either it is known that his intention is to destroy the foundations of Islam

and make the Muslims doubt it. Such a person is definitely a kafir; indeed, he is a
stranger to Islam and is one of the enemies of the faith.
(ii)

Or he is deceived and confused; he cannot be denounced as a kafir until

proof is established against him, fair and square.

If the bidah does not constitute kufr, then he should not be denounced as a kafir.
Rather, he remains a Muslim, but he has done a gravely evil action.
If you ask, how should we deal with those who commit bidah?
The answer is:
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: In both
cases, we have to call these people who claim to be Muslim but who commit acts
of bidah which may constitute kufr or may be less than that to the truth, by
explaining the truth without being hostile or condemning what they are doing. But
once we know that they are too arrogant to accept the truth for Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning), And insult not those whom they
(disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah
wrongfully without knowledge. [Quran 6:108] if we find out that they are
stubborn and arrogant, then we should point out their falsehood, because then
pointing out their falsehood becomes an obligation upon us.
With regard to boycotting them, that depends upon the bidah. If it is a bidah which
constitutes kufr, then it is obligatory to boycott the person who does it. If it is of a
lesser degree than that, then it is essential to examine the situation further. If
something may be achieved by boycotting the person, then we do it; if no purpose
will be served by it, or if it will only make him more disobedient and arrogant, then
we should avoid doing that, because whatever serves no purpose, it is better not to
do it. And also in principle it is haram to boycott a believer, because the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: It is not permissible for a man to
forsake [not speak to] his brother for more than three [days].
(Adapted from Majmoo Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen, vol. 2, p. 293)
What the Scholars have said regarding Bidah and the Innovators
(such as the Sufis)

Imam Abul-Fadl Al-Hamdhani said: The innovators in Islam and the fabricators
of ahadith are worse than the disbelievers. This is because the disbelievers
attempt to corrupt the Religion from the outside, whereas these individuals attempt
to corrupt it from the inside. They take the similitude of the inhabitants of a land, who
strive to corrupt its condition (from the inside), while the disbelievers take the
similitude of raiders laying siege to the land from the outside. Thus it is the ones on
the inside that open the doors of the lands surrounding barrier (and let the besiegers
in). These types (of people) are far worse to Islam than the ones who dont
attribute themselves to it.
Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said, directing his speech to those
people that believe that Allah and His creation are one reality of existence (wahdatul-wujood) and their leaders (from the Sufis), such as Ibn Sabiin, Ibn Al-Faarid and
Ibn Jamweeh: As for those who dont agree with them (i.e. the Sufis), a majority of
them find no objection to their (Sufi) statements. Or they say: We do not understand
this. Or they say: On the outward this is disbelief, however it has some hidden and
mystical meaning, which only those who utter it, possess knowledge of.
From these types of people are those who work with and support them (Sufis)
against the believers that fight against the beliefs that Allah is incarnate within His
creation (hulool) and that Creator and creation are both mixed into one single
existence (ittihaad). These types of individuals are worse than those who assist
the Christians against the Muslims, for indeed, the views of these innovators are
worse than those of the Christians. Rather, they are even worse than those who
aid the polytheists against the Muslims, for indeed what the polytheists said: We
do not worship them (idols) except so that they may draw us closer to Allah (Suratuz-Zumar: 3) is better than what they say. Indeed, these polytheists asserted a
Creator and a creation apart from Him, by which they sought to draw closer to Him
(through it), whereas these innovators (Sufis) have replaced the existence of Allah
with the existence of the creation!

Imam Taqi-ud-Din Abu Muhammad Abd-ul-Ghani Al-Maqdisee (rahimahullah) said

concerning the various groups: Know, may Allah have mercy on you, that Islam
and its adherents are undermined by three types of groups:
1. The first type reject the ahadith concerning Allahs attributes and
declare their narrators to be liars. These individuals are more
harmful to Islam and its adherents than the disbelievers.
2. Another group believes them to be authentic and accepts them,
however, they distort their meaning. These people are far worse in
harm than the first group.
3. The third type of group combines the first two views. According to
their claims they eliminate any anthropomorphic qualities to Allah,
while they are lying. This directs them to accept the first two views.
And they are greater in danger than the first two groups.
It is reported that Imam Al-Awzai (d157H) wrote: And beware of rising
against Allah and becoming instruments in the destruction of His
religion and undoing its handholds by respecting the
innovators, for you know what has come down to us about respecting them. And
what stronger respect and veneration can there be than taking your religion from
them, following them, believing them, being close to them and helping them in
alluring those they allure and attracting those they attract of the weak Muslims
towards their ideas and the religion they practice? This is enough to be considered a
partnership and contribution to what they do. [Ibn Asaakir, Taareekh Dimishq 6:361,
362.]
Shaykh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said, It is obligatory to punish
whoever ascribes himself to them (i.e., the people of innovation) or defends them, or
praises them, or magnifies their books, or hates that they be spoken against, or
begins to make excuses for them such as by saying he doesnt know what this
speech (against them) is or who said that he wrote this book. This goes the same
for similar excuses like these, which no one utters except an ignoramus or
a hypocrite. In fact, it is obligatory to punish everyone who is aware of their

condition yet doesnt assist in standing against them, for indeed standing against
these individuals is form the greatest of obligations. [Majmoo al Fataawa 2/132]
It is reported that Imam Abu Ishaaq Al-Hamdani (d.127 H) rahimahullah, the Tabiee,
said, Whoever respects an adherent of bidah has helped in the destruction of
Islam. [Reported by Al-Ajurri, Al-Shariah Vol. 5 p260 ]
In the biography of al Imam Hamaad ibn Salamah al Basri (167h) Imam adhDhahabi rahimahullah mentions Imam Ahmad (241H) said: If you see a man
slandering Hamaad ibn Salamah then suspect his Islam, for indeed he was
harsh upon the people of bidah
Imam Fudayl ibn Iyaad said, Verily, Allah has angels who look for the gatherings in
which remembrance is made, so look and see with whom is your sitting. Let it not be
with a person of innovation for Allah does not look at them. And a sign of hypocrisy
is that a man stands and sits with a person of innovation. [Sharh Usool ulItiqaad of al-Laalikaaee no. 265.]
From Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu anhu), who said: The Messenger of Allah
(sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: (( The souls are enlisted soldiers, so those that
became familiar with one another from amongst them (in the heavens) will be
inclined (towards each other in the world), and those from amongst them that
opposed one another will differ. )) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim. See Sahih al-Jami
(#2765). ] Imam Fudhayl bin Iyyaad said: The souls are enlisted soldiers, so those
that became familiar with one another (from before) will be inclined (towards each
other), and those from amongst them that were opposed will differ, and it is not
possible that a person of Sunnah can be inclined towards a person of bidah
except due to nifaaq. [Al-Ibaanah #429]
Shaykhul-Islam Muhammad Ibn Aslam at-Tusi (died 242) rahimahullah said:

Whosoever honours, gives respect to, or venerates a person of

bidah, then indeed he has aided in the destruction of the
Religion. [Ibn Waddaah, no. 120, Abu Shaamah, no. 36.)]
It is reported from Abdullah ibn Masud (radiallahu anhu) that he said: For
every bidah with which Islam is plotted against, Allah has a beloved worshipper
(wali) who refutes and repels it and speaks about its signs, so take the full
opportunity of attending such places, and trust in Allah. [Ibn Waddah, Al-Bidah p5.]
Shaykh Ubayd (hafidhahullah) said, The people of innovation from olden times
have hypocrisy. The people of innovation have hypocrisy. Therefore, Abul-Fadl alHamdani (rahimahullah) said, The fabricator of ahadith, and the innovator in Islam
are worse than the atheists from outside. Meaning, the disbeliever will not be able to
damage the Muslims as much as the Innovator. So if you brought two men, one
named George or Joseph and another called Umar or Muhammad. So most of the
Muslims would listen to whom? To Muhammad (or Umar). But as for the other one
(George or Joseph), they would flee from him naturally.
From the book Sharh-us-Sunnah of Imam Barbahari:
Abu Qilaabah: So their sayings, i.e. the hypocrites, varied but they were together
upon doubt and declaring truth to be falsehood. These ones (the people of
innovation) have different sayings, but they are together upon the (use of) the sword.
I do not see them except heading for the Fire. [Point 146 footnote on pg. 94]
Al-Barbahari: The innovators are like scorpions. They bury their heads and
bodies in the sand, and leave their tails out. When they get a chance they
sting; the same with the innovators who conceal themselves amongst the
people, when they are able, they do what they desire. [Footnote no. 2 for point
148 pg. 94]
Al-Barbahari: If anything of innovation appears in a person, beware of him, since
what is hidden from you is more than what is apparent. [Point 148 pg. 94]

Al-Fudayl ibn Iyaad: If I see a man from the people of Sunnah, it is as if I have seen
a man from the Companions of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. If I see a
man of innovation, it is as if I have seen a man from the hypocrites. [Point 170
pg. 105]
Al-Fudayl ibn Iyaad: Whoever honors an innovator has assisted in the
demolition of Islam. It is also reported as a saying of the Tabiee Ibraheem ibn
Maysarah (d.132H). [Point 170 pg. 107 & footnote no. 3]
Al-Fudayl ibn Iyaad: A person of Sunnah would not help an innovator except
due to hypocrisy. [Point 170 pg. 108]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), said: I
urge you to adhere to my way (Sunnah) and the way of the
rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa al-raashidoon) who come
after me. Hold fast to it and bite onto it with your eyeteeth [i.e.,
cling firmly to it], and beware of newly-invented matters.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said:
Every innovation is misguidance and going astray. [Reported by Abu Dawud
(no. 4607), at-Tirmidhi (no. 2676) and it is sahih. Ibn Hajr authenticated it Takhreej
Ahadith Ibn ul-Hajib (1/137).]
And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said:
and every innovation is misguidance and all misguidance is in the
Hellfire. [Reported by an-Nasai (1/224) from Jabir bin Abdullah and it is sahih as
declared by Shaykh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmoo ul-Fataawa (3/58).]

The root of the word bidah in Arabic means initiating something without
any precedent.

In the terminology of Shareeah, bidah means something that has been

introduced into the religion of Allah that has no general or
specific basis to support it.
Imaam ash-Shaatibee (rahimahullaah) mentions:
Linguistically bidah (innovation) means a newly invented matter. The Shareeah
definition of bidah is: A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in
imitation of the Shareeah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allah is sought,
[but] not being supported by any authentic proof neither in its foundations, nor in
the manner in which it is performed.
From: Al-Itisaam of ash-Shaatibee, 1/37
Falling into bidah may mean one of two things:
1. Introducing an act of worship for which there is no basis in Islam, such as
touching graves and seeking help from their occupants. The scholars call this
real innovation (al-bidah al-haqeeqah). This is that which was not
prescribed at all.
2. The act of worship may be originally prescribed in Islam, and what is contrary to
the sunnah may have to do with defining a certain time or place for it, or a certain
number of times it is to be repeated, or the manner in which it is to be done or the
reason for which it is to be done. This is called innovation by addition (albidah al-idaafiyyah); it is not bidah unless it is done regularly and repeatedly.
If it is done only once or twice without adhering to that, then it is not
bidah, such as if people pray qiyaam (night prayer) in congregation (jamaaah) on
some occasion, without thinking that there is any particular virtue in doing so.
Hence ash-Shaatibee (may Allah have mercy on him) said, discussing the
innovation by addition:

The word bidah refers to an invented way of doing something in Islam that is
similar to what is prescribed, of which the intention is to go to extremes in
worshipping Allah, may He be glorified.
That includes regularly adhering to certain manners and forms of worship, such as
reciting dhikr (remembrance of Allah) together in unison, taking the birthday of the
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) as an Eid (festival), and so on.
It also includes adhering to specific acts of worship at specific times that were not
defined as such in shareeah (Islamic law), such as always fasting on the fifteenth of
Shaban (an-nusf min Shaban) and spending that night in prayer (qiyam).
End quote from Al-Itisaam, 1/37-39
Adhering to a thing means doing it regularly and repeatedly.
The issue of bidah may be divided into three topics:
1. Definition of bidah
2. Categories of bidah
3. Rulings on one who commits bidah does that make him a kaafir or not?
1. Definition of Bidah
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
According to Shareeah, the definition is Worshipping Allah in ways that Allah has
not prescribed. If you wish you may say, Worshipping Allah in ways that are not
those of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or his rightly guided
successors (al-khulafaa al-raashidoon).
The first definition is taken from the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

Or have they partners with Allah (false gods) who have

instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?
[al-Shooraa 42:21]
The second definition is taken from the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him), who said:
I urge you to adhere to my way (Sunnah) and the way of the
rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa al-raashidoon) who come
after me. Hold fast to it and bite onto it with your eyeteeth [i.e.,
cling firmly to it], and beware of newly-invented matters.
So everyone who worships Allah in a manner that Allah has not prescribed or in a
manner that is not in accordance with the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) or his rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa al-raashidoon), is
an innovator, whether that innovated worship has to do with the names and
attributes of Allah, or to do with His rulings and laws.
With regard to ordinary matters of habit and custom, these are not called bidah
(innovation) in Islam, even though they may be described as such in linguistic terms.
But they are not innovations in the religious sense, and these are not the things that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was warning us against.
And there is no such thing in Islam as bidah hasanah (good
innovation).
From: Majmoo Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen, vol. 2, p. 291
2. Categories of Bidah
Bidah may be divided into two categories:
1. Bidah which constitutes kufr

2. Bidah which does not constitute kufr

If you ask, what is the definition of bidah which constitutes kufr and that which does
not constitute kufr?
The answer is:
Shaykh Haafiz al-Hukami (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The kind of bidah which constitutes kufr is when one denies a matter on which
there is scholarly consensus, which [is] widely-known, and which no Muslim can
have any excuse for not knowing, such as denying something that is obligatory,
making something obligatory that is not obligatory, or making something haraam
halaal, or making something halaal haraam; or believing some notion about Allah,
His Messenger and His Book when they are far above that, whether in terms of
denial of affirmation because that means disbelieving in the Quran and in the
message with which Allah sent His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him).
Examples include the bidah of the Jahamiyyah, who denied the attributes of Allah;
or the notion that the Quran was created; or the notion that some of the attributes of
Allah were created; or the bidah of the Qadariyyah who denied the knowledge and
actions of Allah; or the bidah of the Mujassimah who likened Allah to His creation
etc.
The second category, bidah which does not constitute kufr, is defined as that which
does not imply rejection of the Quran or of anything with which Allah sent His
Messengers.
Examples include the Marwaani bidahs (which were denounced by the greatest
Sahaabah who did not approve of them, although they did not denounce them as
kaafirs or refuse to give them bayah because of that), such as delaying some of the

prayers until the end of the due times, doing the Eid khutbah before the Eid prayer,
delivering the khutbah whilst sitting down on Fridays, etc.
From: Maaarij al-Qubool, 2/503-504
3. The Ruling on One Who Commits Bidah Is He Regarded as a
Kaafir or Not?
The answer is that it depends.
If the bidah constitutes kufr, then the person is one of the following two types:
1. Either it is known that his intention is to destroy the foundations of Islam and
make the Muslims doubt it. Such a person is definitely a kaafir; indeed, he
is a stranger to Islam and is one of the enemies of the faith.
2. Or he is deceived and confused; he cannot be denounced as a kaafir
until proof is established against him, fair and square.
If the bidah does not constitute kufr, then he should not be denounced as
a kaafir.Rather, he remains a Muslim, but he has done a gravely evil action.
If you ask, how should we deal with those who commit bidah?
The answer is:
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on
him) said:
In both cases, we have to call these people who claim to be Muslim but who
commit acts of bidah which may constitute kufr or may be less than that to the
truth, by explaining the truth without being hostile or condemning what they are
doing. But once we know that they are too arrogant to accept the truth for Allah
says (interpretation of the meaning),

And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides

Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.
[al-Anaam 6:108]
if we find out that they are stubborn and arrogant, then we should point out their
falsehood, because then pointing out their falsehood becomes an obligation upon
us.
With regard to boycotting them, that depends upon the bidah. If it is a bidah which
constitutes kufr, then it is obligatory to boycott the person who does it. If it is of a
lesser degree than that, then it is essential to examine the situation further. If
something may be achieved by boycotting the person, then we do it; if no purpose
will be served by it, or if it will only make him more disobedient and arrogant, then
we should avoid doing that, because whatever serves no purpose, it is better not to
do it. And also in principle it is haraam to boycott a believer, because the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
It is not permissible for a man to forsake [not speak to] his
brother for more than three [days].