Q133. Can there be any new practices introduced into Islam with the intention of Sawaab? Isn't "Bidat e Hassanah" (Good Biddats) sanctioned by Shari'ah?Answer.

1.What is a "Biddat"?The word "Biddah" literally means "An Innovation, something new". Normally in Science we welcome helpful new innovations. However when we talk about deen e Islam since the religion of Islam is totally there is no scope for anything new coming into Islam. Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Maida 5:3"This day have I perfected your religion for you completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."Islam has been completed and perfected by Allah in the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam Muhammed(SAW). That is the reason that in Islam innovating and introducing something new (a Biddat) is a sinful act. Prophet Muhammed(SAW) said "I somebody innovates something which is not a present in our religion that thing is rejected" [Sahih Bukhari Book of Peace Making ch 4 vol. 3: no 861]

2."Biddat e Hassanah"Many people say that there are several "Biddat e Hassanah" – good Biddats which a re not sinful. Let us analyse this in the light of what has been said by Prophet Muhammed(SAW).a) "The best speech is that embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. The most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is an error" [Sahih Muslim no 1885]"Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error."[Abu Dawood 4590]Rasoolullah(SAW) said that every innovation is "Dalalah" deviation. Every deviation will take a person to Hell fire! He(SAW) did not say that every BAD innovation is Bad and GOOD innovation is good. He said on the contrary that every innovation whatever it may seem to us is BAD. b)Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Never did a people make an innovation (in religion) there was withdrawn from them the equal measure of Sunnah. Adhering to Sunnah is better than making innovations" [Tirmidhi 187]It is so complete and full as if like a glass of water which is so full that if one drop of water is added to it another drop will overflow.

c) If we introduce any new thing in Islam the implied meaning is- Rasoolullah(SAW) and the Sahabas understood and followed Islam much better than any person today. They did not know about it or they knew but did not implement.

- or the practise we think to be good is not good at all!Surely we cannot assume the first option. Surely the right answer is that the practise we think to be good is not good at all! As the Prophet of Allah Rasoolullah(SAW) had to pass on every single part of Islamic Knowledge. If we say that he did not pass on then it is as if we are implying that he did not fulfill his responsibility!