Innovation [al-bid`a]
20 sayings
Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) relates that Long ago, there was a person who earned lawfully but later could not do so and began to earn unlawfully. However he failed to do that also. Then Shaitaan came to him and said, "You tried to earn lawfully and failed. Then you started earning unlawfully and failed here also. Should I tell you a way by which your wealth will increase along with the number of your lovers?" The person replied, "Why not? Tell me about it." Shaitaan said, "Bring out a new religion and call people towards it." The person did so and people started coming to him in large numbers. Now his worldly life improved a lot. Later he realized what he did was really wrong. First of all, he invented a new religion and invited people towards it. He thought that the only way to repent was to send back whoever comes to him for seeking orders. Next time people came to him, he told them that what he had told was false and the religion they were following was created by him. His followers were not ready to believe him and said, "No, your religion is a true one. It is only that you have started doubting it and want to leave it." That person nailed a chain to ground and tied it around his neck and said, "I will remain in this condition till Allah forgives me." The Almighty Allah sent one of His prophets to him and conveyed the message that He swears by His honor that He is not going to forgive that person even if he repents so much that the joints of his body are separated. If the person wants to be forgiven, he should bring back to life those people who died on his religion."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 324 link
Every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance leads to Hell.
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 325 link
"The lowest form of polytheism is to invent a new religion and hate and love according to it."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 325 link
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) was asked, "What is the lowest form of idol-worship?" Imam (a.s.) replied, "Creating a new religion and loving and hating people on the basis of it."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 325 link
"The Almighty Allah will not accept the repentance of a person who starts an innovation." He was asked, "Why is it so?" He replied, "It is because the person has kept the love of innovation in his heart."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 325 link
"A person who takes a single step towards a person who does innovation and respects him is certainly like a person who has taken a step to destroy Islam."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 325 link
The innovators are the worst of all of [God's] creation.
Kanz al-`Ummal, nos. 1095 and 1126; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 459 link
The innovators are the dogs of the inmates of Hell.
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 1125; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 459 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
The innovators are those who contradict the command of Allah, His Book and His Messenger; they are those who follow their own opinion and desires, even if they are the majority.
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 44216; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 459 link
When a man rejects an innovator, out of dislike for him, Allah will fill his heart with peace and belief.
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 5599; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 460 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Nothing destroys religion like innovations.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 92, no. 98; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 458 link
Anyone who calls people to give him their allegiance, knowing that among them is someone superior to him, is an erroneous innovator.
Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 375; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 459 link
The worst of matters are the innovations. Certainly, every innovation is a [source of] error and every error is destined for Hell
Amali al-Mufid, p. 188, no. 14; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 458 link
Never start a practice based on an innovation; for a man who initiates a bad practice will incur its sin and the sins of the people who imitate him
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 104, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 458 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
No sooner is an innovation initiated than it leaves behind a common practice. So eschew innovations and adhere to the clear path. Verily the established traditions are the best, while innovated ones are the worst.
Sharhe Nahj al-Balagha by Abi al-Hadid, v. 9, p. 93; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 458 link
A man who smiles at an innovator has aided the destruction of his own religion.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 47, p. 217, no. 4; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 460 link
When a man acts in accordance with an innovation, Satan will leave him to worship and incite tears and emotion in him [i.e. that he may continue in its performance].
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 216, no. 8; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 460 link
Little worship following a correct [Prophetic] practice is better than a lot of worship following an innovation.
Amali al-Tusi, p. 385, no. 838; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 460 link
Allah denies the innovator a chance to repent
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 216, no. 8; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 460 link
When innovations arise in my community, the scholar must display his knowledge; and those who do not do this deserve the curse of Allah.
al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 54, no. 2; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 461 link
Shown with the book and page each saying is taken from. The collection carries no grading, and the English is the compiler’s. All subjects