"Good Bid'ah?"
Some people criticize the categorization of Bid'ah (reprehensible innovation) as good/bad (Hasanah/Sayyi'ah).
Sometimes, there are those who strongly oppose those who accept such a distinction, or who make definitive statements [against it] out of hypocrisy and misguidance.
Hasn't the noble Prophet (ﷺ) taught that "Every Bid'ah is misguidance"?
Who doesn't understand that this statement of the noble Prophet (ﷺ) is in a broad sense? Would anyone understand from these words that any Bid'ah is good?
These are the kinds of arguments such people make...
It doesn't end there. There are more arguments.
They will ask: "Since the noble Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Every Bid'ah is misguidance,' how can a Mujtahid (independent jurist), or a scholar, explain that some Bid'ahs are misguidance, some are good, and others are bad?!"
Look, what is the outcome of such a barrage of questions?
Many ordinary people will be misled. They will join those who roar with such accusations. Thus, they will become complete opponents.
It is noteworthy that ordinary people who have not experienced the spirit of Islam even from a distance are among those who fall into this.
Do you think such people will continue in such a futile argument for long? It is not possible for them. In the journey of life, these people will have to contrive a new line of argument themselves to comfortably approach many issues they encounter. What is the specialty of this "new line of argument"? Without it, they would not be able to consume good food and drink, build new housing, wear beautiful clothes, live with their spouses, or engage in give-and-take with everything.
That is, the argument is that there is Bid'ah related to Din (religion) and Bid'ah related to Dunya (worldly matters) (Diniyy/Dunyawiyy).
Subhanallah! How are such people able to distinguish Bid'ah as Diniyy/Dunyawiyy? What is its basis? Isn't even the very nomenclature Diniyy/Dunyawiyy their own invention?!
Perhaps, although we can see Diniyy and Dunyawiyy Bid'ahs from the time of the noble Prophet (ﷺ) onwards, this nomenclature can never be found in that era.
So, what is the basis of this distinction and nomenclature?
In essence, whatever questions the opposing party asked those who explained Bid'ah as good/bad, they too will have to face the same questions.
Therefore, an explanation that dispels such doubts and misunderstandings is needed here.
Look, it is Allah who communicated to us through the noble Prophet (ﷺ) that "Every Bid'ah is misguidance." We must measure this communication, which is part of the religion of Islam, by placing it alongside other teachings of the noble Prophet (ﷺ) himself.
When we understand that the intention behind Bid'ah is "something newly added/created without prior precedent," it becomes clear that what is reprehensible is the situation where new things are added/created "in the Din" and attributed to the noble Prophet (ﷺ).
Isn't it from such a situation that the noble Prophet (ﷺ) distanced us? He said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Din) that is not part of it, will have it rejected."
So what is the criterion?
"Part of this Din / not part of it" is the criterion.
Therefore, by Bid'ah Hasanah/Sayyi'ah, our intention is only linguistic Bid'ah. That is, it only means something newly added/created. The condition "in the Din" is not here. Who doubts that Shar'i Bid'ah – adding/creating something new in this perfect Din – is misguidance, reprehensible, and to be rejected?
If only the opposing parties understood these levels of meaning correctly...
From the work "Mafahim Yajibu an Tusahhaha" by Sayyid Muhammad bin Alawi Maliki Makki (﵀).
