The Ruling Concerning Music According To The Four Imaams

[AbdurRahman]

The Ruling Concerning Music According To The Four Imaams (http://www.troid.org/articles/ibaadah/knowledge/knowledgeindetailedaffairs/music.pdf)

[Mona Lisa]

To proceed, verily the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) . And the worst of affairs are the newly - invented matters, every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance and all misguidence is in the Fire
Before going to music part .....
Here is striking question when looking at innovation in restricted sence:
if every innovation is bad and misguidence then why this article is available on the Internet which is an innovation? File itself is in PDF format i.e. softwares used another innovation? You can read/access to this whole thing because of your PC or Mac, which is an innovation. There are millions of web sites dedicated to Islam, pre recorded CD and cassets of duas etc or stored in mp3 format in your computer...... these are all innovations. If you're reading this post then it is the result of a number of innovations. Basicly whole thing around human being is innovation.
So how it is possible to percieve every innovation as bad and sinful?

NB. quote taken from above link

Sincerely, ML

[Mujib]

As-Salamu `alaykum, dear sister

Certainly all innovations are not blameworthy. Many innovations are praiseworthy innovations. Such an innovation is often called bid`a hasana.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said in a famous hadith: “He who inaugurates a good sunna in Islam earns the reward of it and all who perform it after him without diminishing their own rewards in the slightest.”

As for the hadith "Beware of matters newly begun, for every matter newly begun is innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in hell," Shaykh Muhammad `Abdullah Jurdani (d. 1913) (Allah have mercy on him), a great Shafi`i scholar of Egypt, commented:

"Beware of matters newly begun", distance yourselves and be wary of matters newly innovated that did not previously exist", i.e. things invented in Islam that contravene the Sacred Law, "for every innovation is misguidance" meaning that every innovation is the opposite of the truth, i.e. falsehood, a hadith that has been related elsewhere as: "for every newly begun matter is innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in hell" meaning that everyone who is misguided, whether through himself or by following another, is in hell, the hadith referring to matters that are not good innovations with a basis in Sacred Law. It has been stated (by Izz ibn Abd al-Salam) that innovations (bida) fall under the five headings of the Sacred Law (n: i.e. the obligatory, unlawful, recommended, offensive, and permissible):

(1) The first category comprises innovations that are obligatory , such as recording the Qur'an and the laws of Islam in writing when it was feared that something might be lost from them; the study of the disciplines of Arabic that are necessary to understand the Qur'an and sunna such as grammar, word declension, and lexicography; hadith classification to distinguish between genuine and spurious prophetic traditions; and the philosophical refutations of arguments advanced by the Mu'tazilites and the like.

(2) The second category is that of unlawful innovations such as non- Islamic taxes and levies, giving positions of authority in Sacred Law to those unfit for them, and devoting ones time to learning the beliefs of heretical sects that contravene the tenets of faith of Ahl al-Sunna.

(3) The third category consists of recommended innovations such as building hostels and schools of Sacred Law, recording the research of Islamic schools of legal thought, writing books on beneficial subjects, extensive research into fundamentals and particular applications of Sacred Law, in-depth studies of Arabic linguistics, the reciting of wirds (def: Reliance of the Traveller w20) by those with a Sufi path, and commemorating the birth (mawlid), of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and wearing ones best and rejoicing at it.

(4) The fourth category includes innovations that are offensive, such as embellishing mosques, decorating the Qur'an and having a backup man (muballigh) loudly repeat the spoken Allahu Akbar of the imam when the latter's voice is already clearly audible to those who are praying behind him.

(5) the fifth category is that of innovations that are permissible, such as sifting flour, using spoons and having more enjoyable food, drink and housing. (al Jawahir al-luluiyya fi sharh al-Arbain al-nawawiyya, 220-21). [end]

The above was taken from a transcript of a talk given by the great Shafi`i scholar of our time, Shaykh Nuh Keller, titled “Concept of Bid`a in the Islamic Shari`a.” The article can be read at Masu`d Khan’s excellent site www.masud.co.uk .

Allah and His Messenger know best.

Was-Salam

[Mona Lisa]

Mujib, Thank you.
However I would like to know people's own view about it as well not just citations, if possible.

OK, since we can/should categorize innovations into 5 groups i.e.
1. Obligatory
2. Unlawful - against Islamic values
3. Recommended - for the sake of doing good
4. Offencive
5. Permissible - make living more enjoyable/convinient

In my understanding then by poducts/results of all innovations are possible to categorize in a feasible manner. Hence the providing an arguement solely on the basis of 'every innovation is misguided and all misguided is in the fire' is inapproprite. That leads to total forbiddance of music/singing or listenning to them is rather unjustified.

Sincerely, ML

[AbdurRahman]

Mona Lisa plz read post in here abt innovation, u can find full explanation of what is innovation then everything will be clear.

http://www.forum.uz/viewtopic.php?t=13836&highlight=innovation

[Mujib]

As-Salamu `alaykum, sister

I cited a text so that we might benefit from the explanation of the `ulama in regards to that particular hadith. I have no personal views because I as a layman am unfit to explain and interpret hadiths.

[Hence the providing an arguement solely on the basis of 'every innovation is misguided and all misguided is in the fire' is inapproprite.]

Yes – it is incorrect to suggest that all innovations are blameworthy. This hadith cannot be used to support that claim.

In recent history certain groups have come forth that propagate this idea that all innovations are blameworthy. Their slogans are “Qur’an and Sunna,” and they accuse and attack traditional Muslims, accusing them of “shirk, kufr, bid`a.” “Shirk, kufr, bid`a” is everywhere on their tongues, in their books, and on their websites and in their articles. They deem many of the practices traditional Muslim all over the world have done as “shirk” or “bid`a” (reprehensible innovation).

As for singing, it certainly is not unlawful. Muslims have been singing poetry in praise of Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) ever since the beginning of Islam.

Allah and His Messenger know best.

[Mona Lisa]

AbdurRahman, Could you please write my nick fully and correctly next time? Thank you in advance.
And my question wasn't about explanation of innovation but anyways thanks again.

Mujib, Thanks again and I understand your position.
In recent history certain groups have come forth that propagate this idea that all innovations are blameworthy
I agree with that.
As for singing, it certainly is not unlawful. Muslims have been singing poetry in praise of Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) ever since the beginning of Islam.
Hence we have reasonable grounds....

The problem is, there is big clash of views among Muslims themselves above is just one example of many more.

Sincerely, ML

[AbdurRahman]

Here is striking question when looking at innovation in restricted sence:
if every innovation is bad and misguidence then why this article is available on the Internet which is an innovation? File itself is in PDF format i.e. softwares used another innovation? You can read/access to this whole thing because of your PC or Mac, which is an innovation. There are millions of web sites dedicated to Islam, pre recorded CD and cassets of duas etc or stored in mp3 format in your computer...... these are all innovations. If you're reading this post then it is the result of a number of innovations. Basicly whole thing around human being is innovation.
So how it is possible to percieve every innovation as bad and sinful?


Mona Lisa, sorry for writing ur name incorrectly before , I corrected it now.In that article(abt music) it is talking about innovation in the RELIGION. yes pdf, cd, etc.. they r also innovations but they r not innovations in religion. innovations in religion is like for example people invent something new in terms of worship. lets say they inventing a celebration of birthday of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. this thing is clear innovation, because celebrating birthday of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was not done by companions and those who followed them from 4 imaams and other than them. secondly Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade us frm imitating kuffaar. this is one example. The reason why i posted a link above is that in there these things are explained more than what i just wrote.

If i misunderstood your question again plz let me know inshaAllaah.
What I would advise myself first and you now is to concentrate more on Tawheed, abt how to worship Allaah, and how to clear oneself frm shirk.

[Mujib]

As-Salamu `alaykum, brother AbdurRahman

Muslims have been celebrating Mawlid for hundreds of years. It is permissible to celebrate Mawlid according to all four schools of fiqh (madhahib).

[yes pdf, cd, etc.. they r also innovations but they r not innovations in religion.]

Isn’t walking to the masjid worship? So would it be considered a reprehensible innovation if someone drove to the masjid? What about flying to Hajj? What about using a toothbrush?

See, brother, life is religion in the sense that every action is judged by Allah. Thus all action fall under the five headings of Shari`a: the obligatory, unlawful, recommended, offensive, and permissible. So all innovations are not blameworthy.

Allah and His Messenger know best. Please remember me and my family in your du`as.
Was-Salam

[AbdurRahman]

As-Suyutee said, "another primary text has occurred to me by which the legitimacy of the Mawlid can be derived, namely what is reported by al-Bayhaqee from Anas that ‘the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) performed Aqeeqah for himself after his prophethood.’ And it occurs that his grandfather Abdul Muttalib performed the Aqeeqah for him when he was a child of seven years, and the aqueeqah is not repeated a second time. So therefore this is to taken to mean that what the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did was to openly manifest gratitude for Allaah making him the mercy for the universe and to legislate this for his ummah, just as he used to do by his sending salaam upon himself. Therefore it is recommended for us that we openly manifest gratitude for his birth." (‘Husnul Maqsad’ of as-Suyutee contained in his ‘Haawi lil Fataawi’)

These words were also quoted by the commentator to ‘al-Muwaahib al-Laduniyyah’ (1/140) - az-Zarkaanee.

The reply to this hadeeth:

1.When Imaam Maalik was asked about this hadeeth he replied, "do you see the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), for whom the aqeeqah was not performed in the days of Jaahiliyyah, performing Aqeeqah for themselves in Islaam? This is from the rejected (narrations)" [quoted from him by ibn Rushd al-Maaliki in the ‘Book of Aqeeqah’ of his work ‘al-Muqaddamaat al-Mumahhadaat’ 2/15]

2.Abu Dawood said in his ‘Masaa’il Imaam Ahmad’ his work in which he reports from him, "I heard Ahmad….so Ahmad said, ‘Abdullaah bin Muharrar from Qataadah from Anas that ‘the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) performed Aqeeqah for himself’. This hadeeth is munkar (rejected) due to the weakness of Abdullaah bin Muharrar’" [This was report was also mentioned by ibn al-Qayyim in his ‘Zaad al-Ma’aad’ and ‘Tuhfatul Mawdood bi Ahkaamil Mawlood’ (pg.51)]

3.Ibn Hibbaan said in his ‘Kitaab al-Majrooheen’ (2/29) in the biography of Abdullaah bin Muharrar, "he reported from Qataadah from Anas that ‘the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) performed Aqeeqah for himself after Allaah had sent him as a Prophet.’…he (ibn Muharrar) used to be from the best of the servants of Allaah, except that he was from those that would lie without knowing it, and reverse (the meanings) of the narrations without understanding…..Abu Ishaaq at-Taalaqaanee said, ‘I heard ibn al-Mubaarak saying: if I was given the choice of entering paradise or accuse Abdullaah ibn Muharrar. I would choose to accuse him and then enter Paradise. For when I saw him I found dung to be more beloved to me than him.’ [this report is also narrated by Imaam Muslim in the introduction to his saheeh]. I (ibn Hibbaan) heard ad-Daarimee saying, ‘I heard Yahyaa bin Ma’een saying: Abdullaah bin Muharrar is not trustworthy and precise (thiqah)’"

4.al-Bazzaar said, "….from Abdullaah bin Muharrar from Qataadah from Anas that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)….Abdullaah bin Muharrar was alone in reporting the hadeeth and he is severely weak, one would find written from him what is not found with other than him." [‘Zawaa’id al-Bazzaar alaa Kutub as-Sitta’ in the chapter ‘Qadaa al-Aqeeqah’]

5.al-Bayhaqee said, "Abdullaah bin Muharrar reported a munkar (rejected) hadeeth concerning the Prophet’s performing Aqeeqah for himself …[quotes the hadeeth]…..Abdur Razzaaq said, ‘indeed they (scholars of hadeeth) abandoned Abdullaah bin Muharrar due to the state of this hadeeth and it is reported from another perspective from Qataadah and yet another perspective from Anas and it is nothing." [‘Sunan al-Kubraa’ (9/300) of al-Bayhaqee. Chapter: ‘al-Aqeeqah Sunnah’] This is the reference from which as-Suyutee quotes the hadeeth, yet it is strange that he did not quote the rest of al-Bayhaqee’s words.

6.an-Nawawee said, "as for the hadeeth that he -i.e. ash-Shayraazee - mentioned concerning the Prophet’s performing Aqeeqah for himself, then it was reported by al-Bayhaqee with his isnaad from Abdullaah bin Muharrar from Qataadah from Anas…[hadeeth]…and this hadeeth is false (baatil). Al-Bayhaqee said: this is a rejected hadeeth…(quoting previous words of Bayhaqee)….and Abdullaah ibn Muharrar is da’eef, being agreed upon to be so by the memorising scholars. He (Abdullaah ibn Muharrar) is abandoned." [‘Majmoo’ Sharh Muhadhdhab’ (8/330) of an-Nawawee chpt: ‘Aqeeqah’]

7.al-Mizzi in his biography to Abdullaah ibn Muharrar endorses the above words of Abdul Razzaaq. [‘Tahdheeb al-Kamaal’ of al-Mizzi]

8.adh-Dhahabee said during the course of presenting the biography of Abdullaah ibn Muharrar, "Ahmad said: the people have abandoned his hadeeth. Al-Jawzajaanee said: destroyed. Ad-Daaruqutnee and a group (of scholars) said: abandoned. Ibn Hibbaan said: he used to be from the best of the servants of Allaah except that he would lie without knowing it, and reverse (the meanings) of the narrations without understanding…." [‘Meezaan al-I’tidaal’ of adh-Dhahabee]

9.ibn Hajr al-Asqalaanee said, "his saying - i.e. ar-Raafi’ee - it is reported that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) performed Aqeeqah for himself after his prophethood by al-Bayhaqee from the hadeeth of Qataadah from Anas. He (ibn Hajr) said: it is munkar, it contains Abdullaah bin Muharrar and he is severely weak. Abdur Razzaaq said…[the words previously quoted]. I (ibn Hajr) say: as for the other perspective from Qataadah then I have not found it as a hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), all that is reported is in this regards is that Qataadah used to pass rulings on this as related by ibn Abdul Barr. Rather al-Bazzaar and others were certain that Abdullaah bin Muharrar is alone in reporting this hadeeth from Qataadah. As for the other perspective still from Anas then it is reported by Abu ash-Shaykh in ‘al-Adaahee’ and ibn Ayman in his ‘Musannaf’ via the route of Abdullaah bin Muthnaa from Thamaamah bin Abdullaah bin Anas from his father. An-Nawawee said in ‘Sharh Muhadhdhab’: this hadeeth is false." [‘Talkhees al-Habeer’ 4/147 of ibn Hajr chpt: ‘al-Aqeeqah’]

10.Likewise in Fath al-Baree he declares the hadeeth from all of it’s various perspectives to be da’eef. [Sharh Baab Imaatatul Adha]

11.Therefore az-Zarqaanee in his ‘Sharh Muwaahib’ (1/140) follows up his quote by quoting the verdicts of ibn Hajr and an-Nawawee on this hadeeth and then saying, "therefore to use it to derive the legitimacy (of the Mawlid) is not correct."

[Taken from 'al-Qawl al-Fasl' of Shaykh Ismaa'eel al-Ansaaree with summary]

[AbdurRahman]

The Milaad - A Caution Against Innovation (http://www.troid.org/articles/manhaj/innovation/celebrations/themilaad.htm)

[AbdurRahman]

Mujib

Linguistically bid'ah (innovation) means 'a newly invented matter'. The Sharee'ah definition of bid'ah is: "A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee'ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof - neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." Al-I'tisaam of ash-Shaatibee (1/37).

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Every innovation is misguidance and going astray" Reported by Abu Daawood (no. 4607), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2676) and it is saheeh. Ibn Hajr authenticated it Takhreej Ahaadeeth Ibn ul-Haajib (1/137).

And he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) also said: "… and every innovation is misguidance and all misguidance is in the Hellfire." Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (1/224) from Jaabir bin Abdullaah and it is saheeh )

The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) also warned against the People of Innovation, from befriending, supporting or taking from them saying: "Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind." Reported by Bukhaaree (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)

And in his footsteps, we find the Noble Companions and the Taabi'een after them warning from the danger of innovations upon the Ummah, its people and their unity, since it is innovations which have divided the Ummah and split it asunder.

Ibn Abbaas (d. 68H) said: "Indeed the most detestable of things to Allaah are the innovations." Reported by al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunan al-Kubraa (4/316)

Ibn Umar (d. 84H) said: "Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people see it as something good." Reported by Abu Shaamah (no. 39)

[AbdurRahman]

Imaam Abu Haneefah said, "stick to the narrations and the way of the salaf, and beware of the newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" [Sawnul Muntaq of as-Suyutee pg.32]

Imaam Maalik said, "he who innovates an innovation in Islaam regarding it as something good, has claimed that Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) has betrayed his trust to deliver the message as Allaah says, 'this day have I perfected for you your religion'. And whatsoever was not part of the religion then, is not part of the religion today." [al-I'tisaam]

He also said, "how evil are the People of Innovation, we do not give them salaam" [al-Ibaanah of ibn Battah (d.387) no.441]


Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (d. 204H) said: “That a person meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better than meeting Him upon any one of the innovated beliefs.” Reported by al-Bayhaqee in al-I'tiqaad (p.158)


Imaam Ahmad said, "the fundamental principles of the sunnah with us are:.avoiding innovations and every innovation is misguidance" [Usul as-Sunnah of Imaam Ahmad pg.1]

[AbdurRahman]

Imaam Bukhaaree (rahimahullaah) said:

I met more than a thousand men amongst the people of knowledge from the people of al-Hijaaz, al-Makkah, al-Madinah, al-Koofah, al-Basrah, Waasit, Baghdaad, Shaam and Misr... and I never saw a single one of them differ with respect to the following matters...

... And they used to forbid and prevent [people] from the innovations - those that the Messenger and his Companions were not upon, due to His saying:

And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves [Soorah Aali Imraam 3:103]

and due to His saying:

If you obey him [the Messenger], you shall be on the right guidance [Soorah an-Noor 24:54]

[Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (2/172-5), The Creed of Imaam Bukhaaree p.13,28

[Mujib]

Again, celebrating Mawlid is permissible according to all four madhhabs. It is the four madhhabs that the Muslims adhere to. Muslims East and West have been celebrating Mawlid for generations.

Innovations, blameworthy and praiseworthy, have been clearly defined by the scholars of fiqh. Those innovations that have a basis in the Shari`a are good innovations and those that do not are blameworthy.

Allah and His Messenger know best.

Was-Salam

[Mujib]

On the Permissibility of Celebrating Meelad-un-Nabi: In Refutation of the Fatwa of Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz of Saudi Arabia (http://www.mawlid.net/refuting_bin_baaz.htm)

[Mujib]

The following is from Shaykh Gibril Haddad’s “The Sunni Definition of Bid`a As Either Good or Bad”:

“Harmala said, “I heard al-Shâfi`î (ra) say:

'Innovation is two types (al-bid`atu bid`atân): approved innovation (bid`a mahmûda) and disapproved innovation (bid`a madhmûma). Whatever conforms to the Sunna is approved (mahmûd) and whatever opposes it is abominable (madhmûm).'

He used as his proof the statement of `Umar ibn al-Khattâb (ra) about the [congregational] supererogatory night prayers in the month of Ramadân: “What a fine innovation this is!”[1]

------------------------
[1] Narrated from Harmala by Abû Nu`aym with his chain through Abû Bakr al-âjurrî in Hilyat al-Awliyâ' (9:121 #13315=1985 ed. 9:113) and cited by Abû Shâma in al-Bâ`ith `alâ Inkâr al-Bida` wal-Hawâdith (Ryadh 1990 ed. p. 93), Ibn Rajab in Jâmi` al-`Ulûm wal-Hikam (p. 267=Zuhaylî ed. 2:52= Arna'ût ed. 2:131 sahîh), Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bârî (1959 ed. 13:253), al-Turtûshî in al-Hawâdith wa al-Bida` (p. 158-159), and al-Shawkânî, al-Qawl al-Mufîd fî Adillat al-Ijtihâd wa al-Taqlîd (1347/1929 ed. p. 36). `Umar's report is narrated by Mâlik in al-Muwatta' and al-Bukhârî in his Sahîh.

[Click for full article (http://www.abc.se/~m9783/n/sdb_e.html#fn-1)]

[AbdurRahman]

As for the narrations from Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee in which he categorises bid'ah into two, then it is weak as all of it's chains of narrations depend upon unknown narrators. [al-Bid'ah of Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee, al-Masaabeeh fee Salaatit Taraaweeh of as-Suyutee with Alee Hasans footnotes].

[AbdurRahman]

The sayings of the Companions:
Abdullaah ibn Umar (RA) states, "every innovation is misguidance, even if the people regard it as good." (ad-Daarimee)

This narration is enough to demolish the concept of 'a good bid'ah', for you have amongst the most knowledgeable companions of Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) saying the exact opposite. So who do you choose to follow, ibn Umar or these modern day Shaykhs and Mullahs who are Imaams of their own whims and desires.

Abdullaah ibn Abbaas (RA) said, "do not sit with the people of innovation, for verily their sittings are a sickness for the hearts" [ash-Sharee'ah pg 65 of al-Aajurree (d.360)]

Mu'aadh bin Jabal (RA) used to say, whenever he sat in a circle of knowledge, "and I warn you of what is innovated, for all that is innovated is misguidance" [ash-Sharee'ah pg.55, also Abu Dawood with similar wording]

Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud (RA) said, "follow the sunnah of Muhammad and do not innovate, for what you have been commanded is enough for you." [ad-Daarimee]

Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman said, "every act of worship that the Companions did not do, do not do it" [Abu Dawood]

Is this not enough? That the Companions tell us to follow the way of Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) and not to make up new ways of worship? "whomsoever Allaah guides to the truth, none can misguide him, and whomsoever Allaah misguides, none can guide"! [Muslim]

[AbdurRahman]

The sayings of the Second and Third generation scholars:

Hasan al-Basree said, "do not sit with the people of innovation, do not debate with them or listen to them" [ad-Daarimee 1/121]

Abu Aaliyah said, "learn Islaam. Then when you have learned Islaam, do not turn away from it to the right or to the left. But be upon the Straight Path and be upon the Sunnah of your Prophet and that which his companions were upon.And beware of these innovations because they cause enmity and hatred amongst you, but stick to the original state of affairs that was there before they divided." [al-Hilya of Abu Nu'aym 2/218]

Sufyaan ath-Thawree, "innovations are more beloved to Satan than sin. Since a sin mat be repented from but an innovation is not repented from" [Sharh Usul I'tiqaad of al-Laalikaa'ee (d.414) no.238]

This is because the innovator believes that he is doing something good and therefore sees no need to repent.

He also said, ".so cling to the original state of affairs" [al-Hilya 6/376] meaning stick to the Way of Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) and his Companions.

Imaam al-Awzaa'ee said, "patiently restrict yourselves to the sunnah, stop where the people stopped, say what they said, avoid what they avoided. Take to the path of the salaf, for indeed what was sufficient for them was sufficient for you." [ash-Sharee'ah pg. 58]

Ibraaheem al-Masayrah said, "he who honours an innovator has assisted in the demolition of Islaam" [Sharh Usul I'tiqaad 1/139]

[Mujib]

[As for the narrations from Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee in which he categorises bid'ah into two, then it is weak as all of it's chains of narrations depend upon unknown narrators.]

Actually, it is narrated by Imam al-Bayhaqi (Allah be well pleased with him) in his Manaqib al-Shafi`i with a sound chain, as stated by Ibn Taymiyya in his Dar’ Ta’arud al-`Aql wal-Naql. (Shaykh Gibril Haddad’s reference in The Four Imams and their Schools.)

The four madhhabs agree on the division of bid`a into good and bad.

[The sayings of the Companions: ]

None other than Sayyidina `Umar (Allah be well pleased with him) said about the tarawih prayer: “What a fine bid`a (innovation) this is!” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Furthermore, numerous Companions used their personal reasoning and perform acts of worship without a command from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and he confirmed them therein.

Allah and His Messenger know best.

Was-Salam

[AbdurRahman]

http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=BDH02&articleID=BDH020003&articleP ages=1