Fatwa ID: 08110

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

Question:

Assalamu alaikum. When a jamat enters our masjid, many brothers leave at the sight of them standing up to give the elan and say that they are people of the bidah. How do we refute these claims and what evidence is there. Jazak allah

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Wa Alaykum Assalam Wa Rahmatullah,

A Bida’ah in the deen is a way/practice in the religion which has been innovated (created by people and has no origin from the Quran or Sunnah), resembling the Sharia (appearing as if its Fardh, Wajib, Sunnah Mu’akkadah/Ghayr Mu’akkadah or Mustahab) with the intention of it being followed the way a practice from the Sharia is followed (a proven Fardh, Wajib, Sunnah Mu’akkadah/Ghayr Mu’akkadah or Mustahab). [Kitabul I’tisaam Lil Shatiby]

Tableegh Jama’ah is a programme designed with the objective of educating and calling people to the Deen, especially the general public, similar to educational programmes created by Islamic institutions for students and academics.

Regarding calling the entire programme Bid’ah is a claim made often by those who haven’t grasped the full understanding of it and is an incorrect claim as this programme is not claimed to be a Fardh or Sunnah and it is not made out to be. Please keep in mind that the obligation of Da’wah and educating should not be used as a way to claim this programme as necessary.

It’s very important that the participants of this programme do not create this into a bid’ah by leading people to believe that it is necessary to join sometimes or regularly, as this will be tab’dee’, i.e. innovation. They must not use verses of the Quran and ahadeeth out of context slightly or completely to serve the purpose of Da’wah and Taleem (educating). Those responsible should be mindful of who delivers the reminders and should not let the ignorant one speak of that which he has no knowledge.

Please be kindly advised that one should weigh the pros and cons of engaging in a debate with someone. The purpose of a debate is to conclude upon the Haq, many times this is lost in the heat of the conversation. To prevent anyone hindering an effort made to educate and give dawah to people, it may be helpful to seek help from the authority members of the Masjid.

الْبِدْعَةُ: طَرِيقَةٌ فِي الدِّينِ مُخْتَرَعَةٌ، تُضَاهِي الشَّرْعِيَّةَ، يُقْصَدُ بِالسُّلُوكِ عَلَيْهَا مَا يُقْصَدُ بِالطَّرِيقَةِ الشَّرْعِيَّةِ.

وَلَا بُدَّ مِنْ بَيَانِ أَلْفَاظِ هَذَا الْحَدِّ:

فَالطَّرِيقَةُ وَالطَّرِيقُ وَالسَّبِيلُ وَالسَّنَنُ هِيَ بِمَعْنًى وَاحِدٍ، وَهُوَ مَا رُسِمَ لِلسُّلُوكِ عَلَيْهِ

ج1 ص51 – كتاب الاعتصام للشاطبي ت الهلالي – تعريف البدعة وبيان معناها -دار ابن عفان، السعودية

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah