HADITH 5 OF AN-NAWAWI
عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُمِّ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، قَالَتْ: قَالَ: رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ وَ مُسْلِمٌ
وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِمُسْلِمٍ: مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
Translation (Meaning)
Mother of the believers, Ummu ‘Abdullah, ‘A’ishah (R.A) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW)said: “Whoever introduces into this affair of ours (Islam) that which is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Transmitted by Bukhari and Muslim)
In another version by Muslim: “Whoever does an act which has no approval of ours will have it rejected.”
This hadith teaches us that:
1. Islam is complete
2. We should not add or invent anything new in religion that was not taught by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
3. If someone adds new prayers, sayings, or actions in religion that were not part of Islam, it is not accepted by Allah.
4. Islam is based on the Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet (SAW).
5. We must follow what the Prophet did, not create our own way of worship.
More lessons from the Hadith
1. Islam is perfect and complete — we should not add or change anything.
2. We must follow the Qur’an and the example (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
3. Any new invention in religion is called Bid’ah (innovation) — and it is not accepted by Allah.
4. We should ask: “Did the Prophet (SAW) do this or teach this?” before doing something as part of worship.
5. If something is not part of Islam, we should stay away from it, even if other people are doing it.
6. The Hadith discourages innovation into religious matters.
7. Muslims should avoid all innovations which go against Islamic tenets.
8. Innovation in religious matters distorts the pristine teachings of the religion.
9. Innovation leads people astray.
10. Any deed introduced into Islam which is not part of it will neither be accepted nor rewarded by Allah.
11. The religion of Islam has been perfected and completed by Allah and thus there is no need for bid’ah (new inventions).
12. New modem inventions like computer, use of microphone in calling ‘Adhan, modern means of transportation, mobile phones etc. are not part of heretical innovations in Islam.