Jump to content
In the Name of God بسم الله
  • entries
    9
  • comments
    7
  • views
    3,806

Our duty against Bid'ah

shuaybi

Entry posted by shuaybi

1,538 views

 Share

Needless to say, before we can perform our duty against bid'ah, the pre-requisite step is to be able to see and identify it. How many people are aware of the dangers of bid'ah but due to lack of understanding are nevertheless a victim of it. The reason is that bid'ah is extremely deceptive - it is disguised as a praiseworthy act that promises to earn abundant reward for the performer and bring him closer to Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام). The deception is increased because we see each and every Shia around us performing these acts. To add to this, the popular scholars keep promoting bid'ah as their standing and livelihood depends on it. 

It is sad to say that bid'ah has been so strongly established in the Shia religion that the actions performed under it are now considered to be pillars and foundation of religion. Anyone who dares speak against these actions risks being ridiculed and ostracized. If a Shia were to give up all the innovations practiced in the name of religion, he would find himself isolated, cut-off and lonely. But such is the path on which a true Shia must tread in order to prove his loyalty to Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام).

Please refer to our previous two articles on bid'ah:

    Definition and Scope of Bid’ah
    Dangers of Bid’ah


Scholars must speak against bid'ah

Quote

رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وآله : إذا ظهَرتِ البِدعُ في اُمّتي فلْيُظهِرِ العالِمُ علمَهُ ، فمَن لَم يَفعلْ فعَلَيهِ لَعنةُ اللّهِ

Rasool Allah (s) said: When the innovations appear in my community (ummah), the scholar must manifest his knowledge (I.e. speak against them). So the one who does not do so, upon him be the curse of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى).

[Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 19 H 2]

Quote

امام على عليه السلام : أفضَلُ عِبادِ الله إمامٌ عادِلٌ، هُدِِِىَ، فَأقامَ سُنَّةً مَعلومَةً، وأماتَ بِدعَةً مَجهولَةً

Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said: The most virtuous of Allah's servants near Allah is a just leader, who is guided and guides others, and who has established the known traditions, and who has abolished the doubtful/problematic (majhool) innovations.

[Nahjul Balagha, Serman 164]

Quote

رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وآله : من أتى ذا بدْعةٍ فعطَّمهُ فإنَّما يَسْعى في هَدْمِ الإسلام

Rasool Allah (s) said: If one comes across an innovation and appreciates it (sides with it), so rather he has assisted in the demolition of Al Islam

[Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 19 H 3]


We must disassociate from the people of bid'ah
Below is a very strong hadith that highlights the danger of bid'ah.

Quote

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ سِرْحَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ أَهْلَ الرَّيْبِ وَ الْبِدَعِ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَأَظْهِرُوا الْبَرَاءَةَ مِنْهُمْ وَ أَكْثِرُوا مِنْ سَبِّهِمْ وَ الْقَوْلَ فِيهِمْ وَ الْوَقِيعَةَ وَ بَاهِتُوهُمْ كَيْلَا يَطْمَعُوا فِي الْفَسَادِ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ وَ يَحْذَرَهُمُ النَّاسُ وَ لَا يَتَعَلَّمُوا مِنْ بِدَعِهِمْ يَكْتُبِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ بِذَلِكَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَرْفَعْ لَكُمْ بِهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: When you will find people of bid'ah (innovation) and doubt/suspicion after me, do baraa' (disassociate) from them and increase in your insults (sabihim) to them, and oppose (them) and bring evidences against them so they may not become greedy in bringing fasaad (corruption) to Islam. You must warn people against them and do not learn their bid'ah (innovation). Allah will write for you hasanaat (good deeds) for this, and will raise you darajaat (levels) in the next life.

[Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 163 H 4]

Quote

أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ لَا تَصْحَبُوا أَهْلَ الْبِدَعِ وَ لَا تُجَالِسُوهُمْ فَتَصِيرُوا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ كَوَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمَرْءُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ وَ قَرِينِهِ

Abu Abd Allaah (عليه السلام) said: Do not befriend the Ahl Al-Bid'ah (People of Innovation), and do not sit with them, so you may become like one of them (according) to the people. The Messenger of Allaah (s) said: A man is upon the religion of his friends and associates.

[Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 163 H 3]


Aabid vs Aalim

Quote

رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وآله :  فَضلُ العالِمِ عَلى العابِدِ بِسَبعينَ دَرَجَةً، بَينَ كُلِّ دَرَجَتَينِ حُضْرُ الفَرَسِ سَبعينَ عاماً ؛ و ذلكَ أنَّ الشّيطانَ يَضَعُ البِدْعَةَ لِلنّاسِ فيُبصِرُها العالِمُ فَينهى عَنها، و العابِدُ مُقبِلٌ عَلى عِبادَتِهِ لا يَتَوَجَّهُ لَها و لايَعرِفُها

The Prophet (s) said: The knowledgeable man (aalim) is superior to the worshipper (aabid) by seventy degrees, the distance between two degrees spanning the gallop of a horse for seventy years; and this is because Satan plants an innovation (bid'ah) amongst the people which the knowledgeable man (aalim) notices and prohibits, whilst the worshipper attends to his worship neither taking any notice of it nor recognizing it.

[Rawdhat al Waaizin, #17]


An Aalim abolishes bid'ah because of his knowledge of the hadith. His knowledge leads him to limit his actions to those dictated by the Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام) and will never overstep the defined boundaries. Of all the popular speakers today who are quick to jump on to the Mimbar, how many are true Aalims as defined by Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام)?

(Also published on blog: https://ahlulbaytmission.org/2019/08/24/our-duty-against-bidah/)

 Share

3 Comments

Recommended Comments

  • Advanced Member
Jaane Rabb

Jaane Rabb 239

Posted

  • Advanced Member

Completely agree. Reading about the severity of innovation is what opened up my eyes initially and then I started analysing our stance towards innovation and acts in our practise not justified by the sources. Acts that I myself used to perform.

Shia love to quote "everything is allowed unless explicitly forbidden" but I don't think they actually understand what that means [me included]. The problem I find with that hadith in principle as mentioned once before, is why the act of congregational tarawih had to be performed before it was outlawed [as per Sunni narrations, not sure about Shi'I text]? Had congregational tarawih not been performed in front of divine eyes, would we have not had a judgement passed on it?

So the question arises, how many more acts in religion have we innovated which haven't taken place before divine eyes and so it is impossible to know of their permissibility and whether it brings us closer or takes us further away from Allah's pleasure. Because had congregational tarawih not taken place at that time and thus hadn't been outlawed, we'd probably be performing it ourselves today thinking; "What harm is there in reading tarawih together?!"

As for the scholar, while I don't hold a grudge against any, I do not trust them either. A family member of mine, who has studied in hawza for over 10 years and is a devout muqallid of one such very popular scholar told me something interesting once. He told me that a community said to that scholar that "if you don't give us permission to use khums money towards our matrimonial services then we will stop giving you khums money altogether". And thus that scholar agreed. And here I am to entrust my neck upon such scholar?

It has affected me so much that I'm even doubting the hadith science and want to stick to the absolute basics as laid out in the Qur'an. With the amount of forgeries, contradictions, discrepancies, accounts attributed to taqiyyah, etc. the hadith corpus doesn't fill me with certainty. One positive to come out of this test is that I've gotten closer to the Qur'an, which I had neglected and abandoned before.

May Allah guide us all.

Fi Amanillah

  • Advanced Member
shuaybi

shuaybi 53

Posted

  • Advanced Member
5 hours ago, Jaane Rabb said:

It has affected me so much that I'm even doubting the hadith science and want to stick to the absolute basics as laid out in the Qur'an. With the amount of forgeries, contradictions, discrepancies, accounts attributed to taqiyyah, etc. the hadith corpus doesn't fill me with certainty. One positive to come out of this test is that I've gotten closer to the Qur'an, which I had neglected and abandoned before.

Br Jaane Rabb -

Even the Qur'an can only be understood through the hadith of Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام). 

The allegation of hadith corruption is overplayed. The corruption is minor and detectable easily through simple litmus tests which the Imams (عليه السلام) have shown.

Please refer to the following article on my blog: https://ahlulbaytmission.org/2016/10/18/resolving-disparities-in-hadith/

Also refer to: https://ahlulbaytmission.org/about/

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

  • Latest Blog Entries

    • Haji 2003
      Exodus vs. The Qur'an
      By Haji 2003 in Contemporania - AI enhanced
         0 comments
      Deepseek's analysis
      The prompt:
      Yes, that is a fair and insightful characterization. The difference in scope you've identified gets to the heart of how each text uses the Exodus story for its distinct theological purpose.
      Let's break down this distinction:
      The Quran: A Universal Monotheistic Message
      In the Quran, the conflict is fundamentally ideological, not ethnic or national. The message of Tawhid (absolute monotheism) is presented as universal truth, applicable to all parties.
      · For the Israelites: Moses is sent to liberate them and to call them back to the pure monotheism of their ancestor Abraham, from which they had strayed.
      · For the Egyptians, especially Pharaoh: The plagues are "signs" (آيَات) meant to invite Pharaoh and his people to recognize the one God. Their sin is not just oppression, but primarily polytheism and claiming divinity (shirk). Pharaoh's drowning-scene confession (10:90) underscores that the message was, in principle, for him too—though his acceptance came too late.
      · For the Reader: The story is a timeless lesson: the fate of those who reject God's messengers (like Pharaoh) versus those who believe, even if weak (like the Israelite believers and Pharaoh's own magicians who convert).
      Key Example: The Quranic Pharaoh is surrounded by some Egyptians who secretly believe (40:28-45), showing that the monotheistic message was intended for, and accepted by, some within Egyptian society.
      The Bible: A Particular Covenant with a Chosen People
      In the Biblical narrative, the focus is overwhelmingly on the election of Israel and the establishment of a unique covenant relationship.
      · For the Israelites: The Exodus is their foundational national liberation, leading directly to the covenant at Sinai. The laws and rituals (like Passover) are given specifically to them as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6).
      · For the Egyptians: They serve as the instruments of God's judgment and the demonstration of His power. Pharaoh's heart is hardened so that God's glory and power might be shown (Exodus 9:16, Romans 9:17). While there is recognition of the "God of the Hebrews," there is no sustained call for the Egyptians as a people to convert to worshiping Yahweh. The focus is on their defeat, not their spiritual redemption.
      · Theological Goal: The story establishes Yahweh as the God who acts uniquely in history for His people, Israel. It's about identity, covenant, and law for a specific nation.
      Side-by-Side Comparison of the Audience

      Conclusion
      Your observation is precise. The Quran presents the Exodus as a paradigm of the universal prophetic struggle, where the message of One God is delivered to both the oppressed (Israelites) and the oppressor (Pharaoh and Egyptians), with eternal consequences for each based on belief.
      The Bible presents it as the formative, particularist history of Israel, where God acts decisively to create a covenant people, using the confrontation with Egypt to demonstrate His unique commitment to them.
      Thus, the Quranic account moralizes and universalizes the story, while the Biblical account historicizes and nationalizes it. This difference stems from the distinct contexts: the Quran establishing a universal faith for all nations, and the Torah establishing the identity of a specific nation.
    • shuaybi
      From Doubt To Certainty: Discovering Authentic Shi'ism
      By shuaybi in The Shuaybi Blog
         0 comments
      How "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism" Transformed My Faith
      Discover how Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi's groundbreaking book "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism" revolutionized my understanding of authentic Shia Islam and strengthened my connection to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
      What This Video Covers:
      In this in-depth podcast episode, I share my transformative journey from confusion and doubt to clarity and conviction through studying early Shia hadith sources. Learn why this academic work has become essential for understanding authentic Imami Shi'ism.
      *10 Transformative Reasons Discussed:*
      * Restoring Complete Faith in Hadith Heritage* - Why our early collections (al-Kafi, Basa'ir al-Darajat) are authentic and trustworthy
      *Understanding the True Nature of Imamate* - The cosmic, supernatural role of the Imams beyond political leadership
      *Clarifying the Role of Reason (Aql)* - How rationalism differs from authentic Shia epistemology
      *Embracing Esoteric Dimensions* - The batin (hidden meanings) in Shia teachings
      *Exposing Rationalist Theology* - How Mu'tazilite influence corrupted original teachings
      *Identifying Religious Innovations (Bid'ah)* - Tools to distinguish authentic practice from later additions
      *Prioritizing Correct Belief (Aqeedah)* - Why foundational beliefs matter more than ritual correctness alone
      *Freedom from Blind Following* - Direct access to Imams' teachings without clerical mediation
      *Preparing for Imam al-Mahdi's Return* - Spiritual readiness through authentic knowledge
      *Truth in the Minority* - Understanding why authentic teachings are often preserved by the few
      Key Topics & Themes:
      • Early Shia Islam and Imamite doctrine
      • Hadith authentication methodology critique
      • Al-Kafi and classical Shia sources analysis
      • Ghuluw (exaggeration) accusations addressed
      • Supernatural abilities of the Imams
      • Pre-existence of the Ahl al-Bayt
      • Divine knowledge ('ilm) and esoteric wisdom
      • Rationalism vs. faith-based epistemology
      • Religious innovation in modern Shi'ism
      • Preparation for the return of the Twelfth Imam
      • Minority vs. majority religious perspectives
      About Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi:
      French-Iranian academic scholar and historian of Islam whose systematic study of early Imami sources reveals what the historical Imams actually taught, free from later theological filters and rationalist interpretations.
      Addressing Common Criticisms:
      This video thoroughly responds to allegations that Amir-Moezzi promotes ghuluw or relies on weak hadith, demonstrating instead how his methodology is grounded in the earliest and most authentic Shia sources.
      Who Should Watch This:
      • Shia Muslims seeking deeper understanding of their faith
      • Those experiencing doubt or confusion about Shia beliefs
      • Students of Islamic theology and hadith studies
      • Anyone interested in early Islamic history and Imamite doctrine
      • Believers preparing spiritually for Imam al-Mahdi's return
      • Those questioning modern rationalist approaches to religion
      Why This Matters Now:
      As we approach the end times and await the Imam's return, understanding authentic teachings becomes crucial. This book provides the foundation to distinguish between original Imamic teachings and later innovations, helping believers stand firm in truth.
    • Hameedeh
      Minimalism
      By Hameedeh in Think Positive
         20 comments
      Two years ago I became a minimalist. I'm not talking about music, sculpture or painting, but minimalism in my life. I read about creating a minimalist home, but I did not buy the book:
      http://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/
      So, I am thrifty and I buy very little. Whenever I am shopping and see a dozen things I want to own, I question myself. Do I have storage space for this? Is this really necessary? Will I really love it or is it just something that I never had before and always wanted to have one? Just wanting to possess something is not a good reason to buy it. Could I take a photo of it and just look at it, without spending my money? This must be a good reason to join Pinterest, to have all the things you want to look at, but never need to buy, store or move them. 
      As you have seen, my ShiaChat blog is minimalist by nature. I usually say very little, because if there is one thing that I know, it is that I recognize great writing when I see it, but I am not a good writer. I hope to become a better writer some day, and in the meantime, I invite you to my tumblr. Please, if you can, start at the last page which shows my first post (a prayer for the safety of 12th Imam AJ) and then scroll your way up, and over to previous pages in chronological order, the way my brain was working. 
      http://hameedeh.tumblr.com/page/3
      ♥ May your days be sunny, your nights restful, and your heart satisfied with the blessings that Allah has given you. Think Positive. ♥
    • shuaybi
      Shia Hadith Vs Sunni Hadith - Critical Differences In Hadith Compilation
      By shuaybi in The Shuaybi Blog
         0 comments
      Shia Hadith Vs. Sunni Hadith - Critical Differences In Hadith Compilation
      This discussion examines a fundamental misunderstanding in modern Shia scholarly approaches to hadith verification. The central argument is that Shia scholars have inappropriately adopted Sunni methodologies for hadith authentication, despite the radically different nature of hadith compilation between the two traditions.
      The Shia tradition benefits from several unique advantages: First, unlike Sunnis who lost direct connection to Prophetic knowledge after Muhammad's death, Shias maintained connection through the Imams for nearly 300 years. Second, during political transitions between Umayyad and Abbasid rule, Imams Baqir and Sadiq established a systematic documentation approach, encouraging written preservation rather than oral transmission.
      Crucially, Shia hadith represents written transmission of documented works (usul), not oral chains. The ijaza system ensured authenticated book transmission with proper authorization, making Sunni-style isnad analysis largely irrelevant for Shia texts. Applying Sunni verification methods to Shia hadith creates a category error - using tools designed for oral transmission on written documentation.
      The major Shia compilations (Kutub al-Arba'a) represent methodically organized versions of original usul, collected through careful verification processes by scholars like Kulayni and Saduq. The Twelfth Imam himself directed followers not to doubt what trustworthy narrators convey.
      By adopting Sunni authentication methods, modern Usuli scholars have created a crisis of confidence in Shia heritage. The solution requires returning to the Imams' own verification principles and recognizing the unique strength and reliability of the Shia hadith tradition on its own terms.
    • shuaybi
      New video podcast series: The Divine Guide In Early Shia Islam
      By shuaybi in The Shuaybi Blog
         0 comments
      This video podcast series is an in-depth review of the book: "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism" by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi.
      Video podcast series: The Divine Guide In Early Shia Islam
      A brief description of the book:
      The Divine Guide by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, is a groundbreaking academic work that explores the early development of Twelver Shia Islam, particularly focusing on the concept of the Imam in early Shia doctrine. Published originally in French, this work examines the esoteric teachings and spiritual dimensions of Imamology as understood by the earliest Shia scholars and traditionists.
      The book primarily analyzes the role of the Imam as a divine guide and repository of sacred knowledge, drawing from early Shia hadith collections like Al-Kafi and Basa'ir al-Darajat. Amir-Moezzi demonstrates how early Shia thought viewed the Imam not just as a political leader, but as a cosmic necessity and spiritual intermediary between God and humanity. The Imam is presented as possessing divine light, supernatural knowledge, and the ability to interpret both the apparent and hidden meanings of religious texts.
      A key argument of the book is that early Shiism had a deeply mystical and esoteric character that was later downplayed in favor of more rational theological approaches. The author shows how the original conception of the Imam included beliefs about their supernatural origins, divine appointment, and extraordinary powers - elements that were later rationalized or reinterpreted by later Shia scholars.
      This work is particularly significant because it challenges the common view that early Shiism was primarily a political movement. Instead, it reveals the rich spiritual and mystical dimensions of early Shia thought, showing how the doctrine of Imamate was fundamentally tied to concepts of divine guidance, sacred knowledge, and spiritual illumination.
      For students of Islamic history and theology, this book provides crucial insights into the development of Shia thought and the original understanding of the Imamate, making it an essential reference for understanding the spiritual foundations of Shiism.
    • shadow_of_light
      From Earth to Heaven
      By shadow_of_light in From Earth to Heaven
         0 comments
      Final part of my book, narrated by my dear friend, Mrs. Solmaz Rezayi
      Music: Below the Horizon by Guy Sweens
      Images created by ai bing image generator
    • shadow_of_light
      New book
      By shadow_of_light in From Earth to Heaven
         0 comments
      Idris or Hermes? Exploring the Truth Behind the Legends
       هرمس تریسمِگیستوس معروف به هرمس الهرامسه کیست و چه ارتباطی میان او و حضرت ادریس (ع)، مرکوری و هرمس (از خدایان رومی و یونانی) و تحوت (خدای خرد در مصر باستان) وجود دارد؟ لوح زمرد چیست و چه میگوید؟ نخستین اهرام مصر توسط چه کسانی ساخته شدند و هدف از احداث آنها چه بود؟ آیا میتوانیم اطمینان داشته باشیم که قدیمی‌ترین اهرام سرزمین مصر توسط فراعنه بنا شدند؟
      در این کتاب مطالبی را میخوانید که احتمالا برایتان تازگی دارد و پیشتر چیزی درباره آن نشنیده بودید. این مطالب عمدتا بر پایه کهن‌ترین منابع موجود که تالیف حکما و تاریخ‌نگاران مصری، یونانی، رومی، فینیقی، عرب، ایرانی و ... هستند، نگاشته شده‌اند. شاید پس از مطالعه این کتاب به این نتیجه برسید که پیامبران الهی، صرفا رهبران دینی مردم نبوده‌اند بلکه پیشگامان آموزش علم و حکمت و صنعت نیز بوده و نقش بسزایی در پیشبرد تمدن بشری داشته‌اند.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Blog Statistics

    92
    Total Blogs
    518
    Total Entries
×
×
  • Create New...