5th Hadith - Religious Innovation [Bukhari: 2697 and Muslim: 1718(a)]

الحـديث الخامس

عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ أُمِّ عَبْدِ اللهِ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ.

[رواه البخاري ومسلم وفي رواية لمسلم : مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلاً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ ]

5th Hadith Translation

On the authority of the mother of the faithful, Aisha (R.A.), who said: Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said,

“He who innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that is not of it will have it rejected (by Allah).”

  In another version in Muslim it reads:

“He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected (by Allah).”

[Bukhari: 2697 and Muslim: 1718(a)]

Brief Narration

This hadith is one of the most important hadiths. Imam Nawawi said it should be memorized by every Muslim.

This hadith is used as a criterion for judging external actions or performance of “Ibadah”

A religious innovation (Called “Bidah” in Arabic) is dearer to Satan, due to its aggravated filth and severe harm. It is obligatory for the Muslim to be a follower of Prophet (S.A.W.) as this Hadith is evidence and indicates that it is obligatory to follow Prophet’s Sunnah and it is forbidden to introduce innovation in religion of Islam.

The hadiths are the sources of our faith, knowledge, and guidance as we are taught by the Prophet (S.A.W.). Studying and understanding the Hadiths will activate our insight, enlighten our hearts, and uplift our souls. This will by the help of Allah, lead us and keep us on the right path to the end.

(Reference: Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An-Nawawi by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi)