Bid'ah (innovation) is worst sin

By Muhammad Aslam al Hindi

 

Reference number 1:

Every Muslim must consider the following saying of the Prophet very seriously; Jabir reported that the Prophet used to deliver his sermon with this opening:

“The best word is the Book of Allah and the best way is that of Muhammad. The Worst deed is innovation and each innovation is a deviation from Islam.”

[Sahih Muslim: Vol. 2, No. 1885.]

Reference number 2:

“Every deviation from Islam leads to Hell-fire”.

[Sunan Nisa’ee:: (vol. 2, no. 1581.)

Reference number 3:

‘Aa’ishah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Whoever does an act which is not in agreement with our faith, such an act is rejected.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: (vol. 3, no. 861.).]

Reference number 4:

There is another report by her with different wordings:

“Whoever invents something in our faith which does not originally exist, has nothing to do with us.”

[ Sahih Muslim: (vol. 3, p. 931, nos. 4266-7).]

Reference number 5:

‘Irbad ibn Sariyah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Whoever survives me would observe many differences. However, you should follow my sunnah and that of my rightly guided caliphs. Adhere to it firmly. Beware! Avoid innovation, for each innovation is a deviation from Islam.”

[Sunan Abu Dawuod: (vol. 3, p. 1294, no. 4590).]