What is Bidat?

The literary meaning of 'Bid'at' is 'innovation, novelty.' Its technical meaning as written in the book Mirqat (under the chapter, I'tisaam bil Kitab was-Sunnah) is, 'that belief or action which was not in practice during the blessed age of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad but was introduced after him.'

Bid'at is of two types: a) Bid'at I'tiqadi (Innovation in belief) and b) Bid'at Amali (innovation in action).

Bid'at-e-I'tiqadi is that new belief (which is in contradiction with the Holy Quran and the Sunnah) which found its way into Islam after the blessed age of the Holy Prophet. Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Polytheism are not Bid'at-e-I'tiqadi as these beliefs were in practice before and during the blessed time of the Holy Prophet and because the followers of these beliefs do not claim themselves to be Muslims. But the Jabriyah, Qadriyyah, Batiniyyah, Qadiyanism, etc. are the beliefs that came into existence after the blessed age of the Holy Prophet and also claim themselves to be Muslims. Hence they are Bid'at-s-I'tiqadi.

The first Hadith of Mishkatul Masabih, under Babul I'tisaam is, "Whosoever introduces a new belief in our religion which contradicts with it, is rejected."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar was told that some person had given him Salaam. He said, "I have had the news that he (the person who had sent Salaams) has become a Bid'ati. If it is so, then don't return him my Salaams." It is reported that the person had embraced Qadriyyah belief. Qadriyyahs believe that man has got full power to do whatever he wishes and that he himself creates his actions. They also disbelieve in destiny.

Durre Mukhtar (Babul Iman) says, "It is Makrooh to pray behind an Imam who is a Bid'ati. Bid'at is that belief (I'tiqad) which contradicts that which has been conveyed to us through the Holy Prophet."

A Hadith says: He who exalts those people who commit Bid'at helps in demolishing Islam.

Bid'at-e-Amali (Innovation in action) is that action which came into practice after the blessed period of the Holy Prophet be it secular or religious. Mirqat, Babul I'tisaam says: In the Shariat, Bid'at is that innovation which was not there in the blessed age of the Holy Prophet.

Bid'at-e-Amali (innovated action) is classified in two:

i) Bid'at-e-Hasana (praiseworthy innovation) and

ii) Bid'at-e-Saiyya (offensive innovation).

Bid'at-e-Hasana is that action which does not contradict with the Holy Quran and the Sunnah and was brought into practice after the time of the Holy Prophet. For example, construction of religious institutions, to print the Holy Quran in the press, to hold gatherings of Milad, to eat nice food and to put on attractive clothes, etc. all come under Bid'at-e-Hasana.

Bid'at-e-Saiyya is that action which was not in practice in the blessed age of the Holy Prophet and which contradicts with the Holy Quran and the Hadith. To say Khutba of Eid or Jumuah in a language other than Arabic is an example of Bid'at-e-Saiyya. This Bid'at can be Makrooh Tanzihi or Makrooh Tahrimi or even Haram.

A Hadith in Mishkat under Babul Ilm says: "He who sets a good precedent in Islam, there is a reward for him for this act of goodness and a reward for him also who acts according to it subsequently, without any deduction from their rewards and he who sets in Islam an evil precedent there is upon him the burden of that, and the burden of him also who acts upon it subsequently, without any deduction from their burdens."

HELP FROM NON-ALLAH WITH REFERENCE TO QURAN:

Chapter 28: Surah Al-Saf.(Verse 014)
Chapter 06: Surah Al-MAida.(Verse 002)
Chapter 26: Surah Muhammad.(Verse 007)
Chapter 02: Surah Baqrah.(Verse 153)
Chapter 10: Surah Anfaal.(Verse 064)
Chapter 28: Surah Tehreem.(Verse 004)


Bidat-e-Hasanah is that which does not endanger Islam in anyway.

Bidat-e-Siyah is the one which endangers Islam and detriments / erases Sunnah.

For example, the use of loud speakers for Islamic purpose is Bidat-e-Hasanah. But its use against Islam is Bidat-e-Siyah.

BIDAT-E-HASANAH :

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday), Anniversary, Barsi, Soyem, Chelum, Gyarweeh Sharif, Koonday-e-Niyaz and likewise to specify a day and celebrate it, this is Bidat-e-Hasanah and it does not endanger Islam in anyway, infact to feed and recite is a source of goodness. To feed someone wilfully is not in anyway a payment or compensation. Payment is what is settled or fixed by both parties beforehand. The people who raise objection against Bidat-e-Hasanah should be able to answer this question first; regarding the offering of twenty rakat taraweeh with jamaat nowadays. Twenty rakat Taraweeh with jamaat was established during the period of Hazrat Umar radi Allahu anhu. So this is also a bidat __ since in the times of Hazrat Muhammad sallal laahu alaihi wasallam 20 rakat was not fixed and people with jamaat sometimes offered 8 and sometimes 12 rakat.

For us, 20 rakat Taraweeh is Bidat-e-Hasanah, so we offer it happily today. On the other hand the people whose faith does not allow them any kind of bidat ---, they read 20 rakat taraweeh with their Imam every year from 1st Ramazan to 29th Ramazan. Why ?

PROOF OF TEJA AND CHELUM WITH REFERENCE OF QURAN:

Chapter 4: Surah Nisa.(Verse 06)

REFERENCES IN QURAN REGARDING MILAD SHAREEF:

Chapter 30: Surah Zoha.(Verse 011)
Chapter 06: Surah Maida.(Verse 007)
Chapter 11: Surah Toba.(Verse 128)
Chapter 04: Surah Al-e-Imran.(Verse 164)
Chapter 28: Surah Saf.(Verse 6&9)