Is Every Innovation – Even If It Is A Small One?
He says: “Is
every innovation - even if it is a small one - greater than the Major sins, or
is there a detailed clarification?”
There is a brief answer to this:
this question is wrong and is not upon the Manhaj of the Salaf. Getting involved
into categorizing, setting forth parables and the counter-argumentation against
some of the innovations with some of the sins is not from the Manhaj of the Salaf. The Salaf used to repel the innovation
unrestrictedly, as they used to repel the sin - while considering it (i.e. the
innovation) to be a sin. But their aggravation of prohibiting the innovations
is a great affair! And whoever wants to enter into the topic of innovations and
dividing it into major and minor [innovations] and types of innovations and
other than that; he only wants the people to deem the affair of innovations to
be easy. And the Prophet -salla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam- repeated in
his sittings, over and over again:
“..and every
innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire.”
So we say to this questioner:
between you and us is the hadeeth of the Messenger -salla Allaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam-:
“..and every
innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire.”
And perhaps some of you might
say: “Fine, [but] there might be minor [innovations].” I say to you: come here,
come here and listen to the ahaadeeth of the Prophet -salla Allaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam- and to the aathaar (narrations) of the Salaf.
As for the hadeeth: those three
persons, when one of them said, “I will stand [in prayer] during the night and
I won't sleep.” And the second one said, “I will fast and I won't break my
fast.” And the third one said, “I will not marry women.” Now, these [three
persons] wanted to perform these actions, thinking that they are seeking to get
closer to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. What did the Prophet -salla
Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam- say about them? Did he say, “These affairs are
insignificant and easy, but leave them, may Allaah reward you with good.”? He
said,
“As for me, then I
fast and I break my fast, I stand [in prayer] and I sleep and I marry women. So
whoever aspires to other than my Sunnah is not from me.”
Look! “Whoever aspires to other than my
Sunnah is not from me!” This
is one example.
Another example from the aathaar (narrations): Ibn Mas‘ood... The
people sitting in circles, what were they doing? They were glorifying Allaah
(saying subhaanal-Laah),
praising Allaah (saying alhamdulil-Laah),
doing takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar) and doing tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illal-Laah). Where
[were they doing this]? In a disco? On a playground? In a pub? In a masjid! What did Ibn Mas‘ood,
may Allaah be pleased with him, say? “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! Either
you are upon a path that is better guided than the path of Muhammad, or
you are opening a door of misguidance!” He did not say, “By Allaah, your action
is wrong, but it is [only] a minor innovation, may Allaah guide you, and this
minor type is lesser than the major type (of innovation). So leave this affair,
may Allaah bless you. And others from the people of major sins, they are
greater in sin than you...” No, no, no! “Either you are upon a path that
is better guided than the path of Muhammad, or you are opening a
door of misguidance!” There is no question of wobbling and covered moderation,
no! Truth or falsehood! When it comes to Sunnah and innovation, it is either Truth or
falsehood! This is why these words should be paid attention to, as I mentioned
to you previously.
