INNOVATION (BID'AH) IN THE HOLY QURAN

[Taqavi]

What is the Holy Quran's View on Innovation (Bid'ah)?

 

The term "bid'ah" (innovation) is one of the important concepts in the Holy Quran. This concept refers to adding to or changing the Divine religion without the permission of Almighty Allah. [1] The significance of this issue is such that it is mentioned and emphasized against in several verses of the Holy Quran. Here are a few relevant examples:

Allah Almighty did not prescribe a ritual named monasticism (Rahbāniyyah) as a religious practice, but the monks themselves founded this custom, essentially creating an innovation. The Holy Quran states in Surah Al-Hadid: "And monasticism which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them..."[2]

In another verse, Allah tells the opponents of the Prophet (SAW) that giving the mission to someone like Muhammad (SAW) is not a new affair or an innovation (bid'ah), but Allah had previously granted this status to others. This event is mentioned in Surah Al-Ahqaf, quoting Allah Almighty: "Say, 'I am not an innovation among the messengers, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.'"[3]

Another example of verses that, despite not using the word "bid'ah" or its derivatives, contain content indicating a prohibition against innovating in religion, is Allah's condemnation of the polytheists. The Almighty asks them why they have arbitrarily forbidden some of Allah's lawful sustenance and permitted others—did Allah permit them, or are they forging lies against Allah?

In Surah Yunus, it is stated: "(Say to the Arab polytheists), 'Tell me, concerning the provision that Allah has sent down for you (and permitted), yet you, by your own will, make some of it unlawful and some lawful—is this by Allah's command, or are you inventing a lie against Allah?'"[4]

Elsewhere in the same Surah, Allah tells the Prophet (SAW): "And when Our clear verses are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet Us [and be judged for their deeds] say, 'Bring a Quran other than this, or change it [to verses that suit our desires]!' Say, 'It is not for me to change it on my own accord; I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed, I fear the punishment of a tremendous Day if I should disobey my Lord.'"[5]

Furthermore, Allah Almighty states to the Muslims: "And do not say, concerning that which your tongues assert falsely, 'This is lawful and this is unlawful,' to invent a lie against Allah. Indeed, those who invent a lie against Allah will never succeed."[6]

In another place, Allah Almighty labels those whose rulings do not conform to Allah's command as disbelievers, wrongdoers, and defiantly disobedient (Kāfirūn, Ẓālimūn, and Fāsiqūn). [7] Similarly, Allah Almighty severely condemns those who establish a religion from themselves without His permission. We read this in Surah Ash-Shūrā:

"Or do they have partners who have legislated for them a religion which Allah has not ordained? [Whereas, legislating religion is the exclusive right of Allah, and no one should establish a religion from themselves.] If not for the decisive decree [of Allah] for their respite, judgment would have been given between them [with destruction and ruin]; and indeed, for the wrongdoers, there will be a painful punishment." [8]

Conclusion:

By examining these noble verses, we can conclude that the term "bid'ah" has a Quranic root. Allah's religion has specific laws and rulings that no one has the right to alter or add to. Any act of innovation in religion is not only reprehensible and unacceptable but is considered a great and unforgivable sin. Following the commands of Allah and His Prophet, and returning to the Quran and the Sunnah during times of disagreement, is the only correct and logical way to preserve the originality and purity of the faith.

 

---

[1] . For further explanation, refer to: What is Bid‘ah (Innovation), and How Is It Defined?

[2] . Al-Hadid: 27 «ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ رِضْوَانِ اللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَآتَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ»

[3] . Al-Ahqaf: 9 «قُلْ مَا كُنْتُ بِدْعًا مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يُفْعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمْ ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ»

[4] . Al-Yunus: 59 «قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ رِزْقٍ فَجَعَلْتُمْ مِنْهُ حَرَامًا وَحَلَالًا قُلْ آللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمْ ۖ أَمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَفْتَرُونَ»

[5] . Al-Yunus: 15 «وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ ۙ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَيْرِ هَٰذَا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ ۚ قُلْ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أُبَدِّلَهُ مِنْ تِلْقَاءِ نَفْسِي ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ»

[6] . An-Nahl: 116 «وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُون»

[7] . Al-Ma'idah: 44-45 «إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُوا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُوا عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاءَ ۚ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِآيَاتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۚ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ - وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالْعَيْنَ بِالْعَيْنِ وَالْأَنْفَ بِالْأَنْفِ وَالْأُذُنَ بِالْأُذُنِ وَالسِّنَّ بِالسِّنِّ وَالْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ ۚ فَمَنْ تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَهُ ۚ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ»

[8] . Ash-Shura: 21 «أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ اللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ»