Monthly Archives: December 2018

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Is there a difference between innovation and opposing the Sunnah?

Sheikh Rabee: Opposing the Sunnah is more universal than innovation. Opposing the Sunnah can be sinfulness, often times it is innovation, thus opposing the Sunnah is more general. Innovation, with respect to it, is opposition to the Sunnah as opposition to the guidance of the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- is to enact that which is not in accordance to what Allah legislated. It is devotion in worship with that which Allah has not legislated. Therefore being devoted to Allah in worship is in accord with what He legislated.  

The innovator opposes the Sunnah without a doubt. Likewise the sinner opposes the Sunnah, in fact we say they oppose the Book and the Sunnah. In this case we say about the Sunnah that it often times -refers to- minhaj. “So upon you is my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Successors.” 

Translated by Najeeb ibn Yusuf Al Anjelesi
Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: What are the Islamic Legislated Guidelines for differentiating between the Sunnah and innovation?

Sheikh Rabee: The Islamic Legislated Guidelines for differentiating between The Sunnah and innovation is whatsoever Allah says:

فإن تنازعتم في شىءٍ فردّوه إلى الله والرسول
“…And if you all differ in a matter, refer it back to Allah and The Messenger…” [An-Nisa: 59]

وما اختلفتم في شىءٍ فحكمه إلى الله
“And in whatsoever you all differ, the decision thereof is with Allah…” [Ash-Shura: 10]

So we pass judgement on this -it being- innovation or -of- The Sunnah -by asking- is it extracted from Allah’s Book or from The Messenger of Allah’s -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- Sunnah? If it is taken from Allah’s Book and The Messenger of Allah’s -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- Sunnah then this is good and beloved. However, if it came from outside -of these sources- being in contrast to Allah’s book and The Sunnah, such that the imaams opposed it and made clear it being an misguided innovation, then indeed this is the decisive criterion between The Sunnah and innovation.

The Sunnah’s its evidence and witnesses you will find within Allah’s Book and The Messenger’s -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- Sunnah, also from the explanations of the Salaf. Innovation you will find Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of the Messenger’s -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- rejection of it, likewise -this sentiment- within the stances of the Salaf -may Allah be pleased with them.

Allah says:
أم لهم شركاؤا شرعوا لهم من الدين ما لم يأذن به الله
“Or do they have partners with Allah that have legislated for them a religion which Allah has not given authority…” [Ash-Shura: 21]

Allah’s Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa sallam- said: “Whoever innovates into this affair of ours (i.e. Al-Islaam) that which is not from it, is consequently rejected.”

Translated by Najeeb ibn Yusuf Al Anjelesi
Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي