Table of Contents
Understanding Innovation in Religion
Innovation in religion, called bidʿah, is any new belief, practice, or way of worship that is added to the religion of Islam after it has been completed, and that has no basis in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah. It is not about worldly inventions such as cars, phones, or technology, but about adding or changing acts of worship or beliefs that are claimed to be part of Islam.
Allah has already perfected this religion. Any claim that something new in worship is needed, or that the religion is lacking without it, contradicts this perfection.
“This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)
The Prophet ﷺ warned that newly invented matters in religion are misguidance. In an authentic hadith that he would often say in the Friday sermon, he said:
“The best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst of matters are newly invented ones, and every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sunan an-Nasa’i)
Any practice claimed to be an act of worship or a way of drawing closer to Allah must have clear evidence from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah. If it has no basis, then it is a religious innovation and is rejected.
Why Innovation Is Dangerous to Tawḥīd
Tawḥīd is to worship Allah alone in the way that He has legislated. Innovation is dangerous because it changes the way Allah is worshipped and often leads to exaggeration, misdirected devotion, or practices that resemble shirk.
Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ and his followers to strictly follow revelation and not follow desires:
“Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on a straight way of the religion, so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.”
(Qur’an 45:18)
The Prophet ﷺ explained that actions are only accepted if they are done sincerely for Allah and according to his Sunnah. He said:
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours, it will be rejected.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Innovation is dangerous for several reasons.
It accuses the religion of being incomplete, as if the Prophet ﷺ did not convey everything needed for guidance, while Allah says:
“O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message.”
(Qur’an 5:67)
It competes with the Sunnah. When people attach themselves to invented practices, they often leave what is authentically taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
It opens the door to gradual deviation that can eventually lead to major shirk, exaggeration in honoring people, or turning places and objects into sources of blessing that Allah did not allow.
It deceives people into thinking they are doing good when in reality their deeds are not accepted. Allah described those who are misguided in this way:
“Say, ‘Shall We inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.’”
(Qur’an 18:103–104)
Innovation in worship is a direct threat to pure Tawḥīd because it changes the way Allah is worshipped and competes with the pure guidance of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Principle: Following, Not Inventing
The protection against innovation is to know that guidance is complete and that our role is to follow it, not to add to it. Allah commanded the believers:
“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”
(Qur’an 59:7)
And He said:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’”
(Qur’an 3:31)
The Prophet ﷺ stated a clear rule that defines acceptable worship:
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours what is not from it, it will be rejected.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This means that every act of worship must meet two conditions. It must be sincerely for Allah alone, and it must be in accordance with the way of the Prophet ﷺ. If sincerity is present but the act is not from the Sunnah, it is not accepted. Likewise, if it is according to the Sunnah but done to show off, it is not accepted either.
Any act of worship that has no proof from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah is not part of Islam, no matter how beautiful it appears or how many people practice it.
Types of Innovation Related to Worship
For a beginner, it is useful to see how innovation shows itself in practical forms. The concern here is not to list specific contemporary issues, but to understand clear patterns that contradict the prophetic way.
One type is creating new acts of worship that the Prophet ﷺ and his companions never did, even though the opportunity and reason were present. An example would be fixing a specific day every year as an act of worship and giving it special religious status without any evidence, like making that day a festival of worship or gathering, while the Prophet ﷺ never legislated it.
Another type is modifying an existing act of worship by changing its form, number, or manner without proof, then presenting this change as a way of drawing closer to Allah. Examples include specifying special collective formulas, numbers, or movements in prayer or supplication that have no authentic basis, then believing that this specific form has special reward.
A further type is attaching religious value to times, places, or objects that Islam did not honor in that way, such as believing that a certain stone, tree, or building contains blessing by itself, or believing that praying in a particular place has a special reward that the Qur’an and Sunnah did not mention.
Another pattern is innovating in how one relates to the Prophet ﷺ and the righteous, for example by directing certain secret requests to them, even with the claim of love, or by using their names and graves as a means of special nearness. Such actions are not from the Sunnah and directly threaten Tawḥīd, which requires calling upon Allah alone.
In each of these patterns the common problem is the same. The person believes that a particular way or form draws them closer to Allah, although Allah and His Messenger ﷺ never taught it. This is the essence of religious innovation.
Sincerity Is Not Enough Without Sunnah
Many people who fall into innovation may be sincere. They might truly want to please Allah, but sincerity alone is not sufficient for the acceptance of worship. What matters is both sincerity and correctness.
Allah praised those who worship Him based on revelation, not desire:
“Is he who was dead and We gave him life and made for him a light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?”
(Qur’an 6:122)
The Prophet ﷺ taught about people whose actions seem impressive, yet they are rejected. About some people in past nations, he said:
“There will certainly be people from my Ummah who will make lawful fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and musical instruments.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
In this hadith, the problem is not that they lack activity; the problem is that they change the religion by allowing what Allah prohibited. Likewise, people who innovate in worship might be very active, but their activity is not upon guidance.
Good intentions do not make up for disobedience to revelation. Acts of worship must be both sincere for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah to be accepted.
The Role of Knowledge in Avoiding Innovation
Ignorance is one of the main reasons people fall into innovations. They might see a practice spread in their community, inherited for generations, and assume it must be part of Islam. The cure is to return to the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah with understanding.
Allah commanded:
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.”
(Qur’an 16:43)
He also said about those who follow conjecture instead of knowledge:
“And most of them follow not except assumption. Indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.”
(Qur’an 10:36)
To protect yourself from innovation, you need to know the basic authentic acts of worship taught in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and to recognize the difference between what is firmly established and what is just custom.
The companions were very careful to follow only what the Prophet ﷺ taught. ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) said:
“Follow and do not innovate, for you have been given what is sufficient, and every innovation is misguidance.”
(Reported in ad-Dārimī)
This shows that the religion already contains what is needed for salvation. There is no need and no benefit in adding new forms of worship.
Sticking to the Way of the Prophet ﷺ and His Companions
The safest path is to hold on to the way of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions. They learned the religion directly from him, and Allah was pleased with them.
“And the first forerunners among the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār and those who followed them with good conduct, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.”
(Qur’an 9:100)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Their understanding of Islam is the clearest and purest. Innovation often appears when people abandon their way and rely on later customs, stories, or personal tastes.
The Prophet ﷺ gave a very clear instruction:
“You must follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, hold on to it with your molar teeth. Beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
Holding on means learning how they prayed, fasted, gave charity, performed ḥajj, and how they expressed love, fear, and hope in Allah. When a new practice appears, you compare it to their way. If they did not know it or practice it, and yet they were the most eager to perform good, you can be sure that it is not needed in Islam.
The way of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions is the standard. Anything that contradicts it or adds to it in worship is misguidance, even if many people accept it.
Signs That a Practice May Be an Innovation
For a beginner it helps to recognize signs that a religious practice might be an innovation. These signs are not legal rulings by themselves, but they alert the believer to be cautious and to ask knowledgeable scholars.
A sign is when a practice in worship is presented as necessary or highly virtuous but has no clear evidence from the Qur’an or authentic hadith. Another sign is when it is said that this practice has a specific fixed reward or special spiritual effect, yet there is no text proving it.
A further sign is when a new practice becomes more important in people’s hearts than the established Sunnah. For example, they might neglect the confirmed Sunnah prayers, but they are very strict about a practice that has no authentic proof.
Another sign is when the practice appeared centuries after the early generations, and was not known among the companions or the first scholars of Islam, yet it is claimed to be essential.
Finally, a sign is when a practice closely resembles the worship of other religions, and was never taught by the Prophet ﷺ, but later enters Muslim practice in the name of spirituality or culture.
Whenever you notice such signs, you should slow down, refrain from promoting the practice, and seek knowledge before engaging in it.
Dealing With Widespread Innovations
In many communities, certain innovations may have become normal, so people assume that leaving them is wrong or disrespectful. A beginner might feel pressured to participate or might fear being judged if they avoid them.
The Qur’an teaches believers not to blindly follow forefathers in matters that contradict clear guidance:
“And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?”
(Qur’an 2:170)
At the same time, wisdom and gentle speech are important. Allah instructed:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.”
(Qur’an 16:125)
So the believer learns the Sunnah clearly, practices it with patience, and avoids innovations without harshness or arrogance. If others ask, they explain calmly that they are trying to follow the Prophet ﷺ exactly, and they provide evidence.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Make things easy and do not make things difficult, give glad tidings and do not repel people.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
This means that while you must avoid innovations for yourself, you also need kindness and wisdom in helping others see the Sunnah, so that they are not driven away from the truth by harsh behavior.
Loving the Sunnah More than Customs
A major reason innovations survive is that people become attached to customs, songs, gatherings, or forms of celebration that bring emotional comfort. They may claim that these are expressions of love for Allah or His Messenger ﷺ.
True love for the Prophet ﷺ is to follow him. Allah made following him the test of genuine love:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’”
(Qur’an 3:31)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child, and all people.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Loving the Prophet ﷺ more than people means loving his guidance more than people’s customs. When you have to choose between an emotional practice with no proof and a simple Sunnah, you choose the Sunnah, even if it feels less dramatic. Real love is obeying him and trusting that his way is the best way to remember Allah and draw closer to Him.
True love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is shown by obeying and following, not by inventing new forms of worship or religious celebration.
Practical Steps to Avoid Innovation
To protect your Tawḥīd and avoid innovation, you can follow several practical steps that are simple but powerful.
First, learn the basics of worship from the Qur’an and authentic hadith. Study how the Prophet ﷺ prayed, fasted, gave zakāh, and performed ḥajj in a simple, authentic way. When you know the Sunnah, you can recognize what is foreign to it.
Second, always ask: “Did the Prophet ﷺ do this as worship? Did the companions do it?” If the answer is no, be very cautious before considering it an act of obedience.
Third, when you hear of a special practice or formula, ask for clear proof from the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah. If the person promoting it cannot provide evidence, then you know it is not part of the religion.
Fourth, keep your intention pure. Do not seek strange or rare practices. Seek the guidance that Allah revealed, not what is popular or emotionally exciting. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
Fifth, choose teachers and scholars who are known for adhering closely to the Qur’an and Sunnah and the understanding of the early generations, and who warn against innovation clearly but with wisdom.
Finally, frequently ask Allah for guidance and steadfastness. The Prophet ﷺ used to say:
“O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.”
(Sunan at-Tirmidhī)
This duʿāʾ is itself part of avoiding innovation, because it reminds you that only Allah can keep your heart attached to pure Tawḥīd and the Sunnah.
Innovation and Repentance
If someone has already practiced religious innovations, they are not trapped. Allah opens the door of repentance to all who turn back sincerely.
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”
(Qur’an 39:53)
Abandoning innovation and returning to the Sunnah is a form of repentance that Allah loves. It means leaving what He did not legislate and returning to what He revealed.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent often.”
(Sunan at-Tirmidhī)
So if someone realizes that a practice they used to do is not from the Sunnah, they should stop it, feel regret for having done it, and resolve not to return. They can replace it with authentic acts of worship that are firmly established. Allah will forgive and even reward them for their sincerity.
Any time you discover that a practice you followed is an innovation, leave it immediately and replace it with an authentic Sunnah. Allah accepts the repentance of those who return to His revealed guidance.
Protecting Tawḥīd Through Pure Worship
Avoiding innovations is not simply about saying “no” to certain practices. It is about saying “yes” more deeply to Tawḥīd, and to worship that is purely for Allah and purely according to His revelation.
Allah created humanity to worship Him alone and sent messengers to teach exactly how to do that. When you hold firmly to the Qur’an and Sunnah, and avoid innovations, you are honoring that message.
“And that you worship [only] Me. This is a straight path.”
(Qur’an 36:61)
By protecting your worship from additions and changes, you protect your Tawḥīd from being diluted. You keep your heart attached directly to Allah, not to customs, personalities, or invented rituals. You testify in practice that Allah’s guidance is sufficient, that the Prophet’s way is complete, and that there is no better path to Him than the one He has already revealed.