“This day I have completed for you your religion and perfected my favor upon you and I am pleased with Islam as your Religion” (Maa’idah: 3)

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ūd (radiyallāhu ‘anhu) said: “Follow the Āthār (narrations) and do not innovate for indeed you have been sufficed!”

-The religion of Allah was completed and perfected with the sending down of the above ayat from Surat Al Maa’idah

-The Quran was revealed completely to the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and the Sunnah was sent down to explain every aspect of this religion.

“And We revealed to you the message (the Sunnah) that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.” (Nahl:44)

-The Prophet died after having completed his message in the best way and after having discharged his duty exactly the way Allah wanted him to.

“By Him in whose hand is my soul, I have not left anything which brings you closer to Paradise and distances you from the Fire except that I have commanded you with it and have I not left anything which brings you closer to the Fire and distances you from Paradise except that I have prohibited you from it.” (Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah).

-Finally, Allah declared that this religion would remain without change until the last day, unlike the revelations of the past which were changed by their people:

Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” (Hijr:9)

-This changing of the Religion occurred by the introduction of “Bid’ah” or “Newly Invented Matters” which have no basis in the Quran or the Sunnah.
The Sharee’ah definition of bid’ah is: “A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee’ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof – neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed.” Al-I’tisaam of ash-Shaatibee (1/37).

The issue of Bid’ah is extremely serious as it can be a means for a person to leave Islam!

Allah mentions in the Quran about the People of the Book who followed their priests in whatever they invented and introduced in the religion of Allah and that this equated to taking their priests as Lords besides Allah:

“They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah , and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.” (Tawbah:31)

About this ayat comes the following hadeeth:

‘Adi ibn Hatim reported: I came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while I had a crucifix of gold around my neck. The Prophet said, “O ‘Adi! Remove this idol from yourself!” I heard him reciting the verse in Surat al-Tawbah, “They have taken their priests and rabbis as Lords besides Allah.” (9:31) The Prophet said, “As for them, they did not worship them, but rather when they made something lawful for them, they considered it lawful. When they made something unlawful for them, they considered it unlawful.” Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3095

Whereas Allah has completed this religion for us and commanded us to follow and hold to it:
“And verily, this My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path.” (6:153)
Therefore, every act of worship that does not have a basis in the religion and has no proof to support it, specifically in the Qur’an and Sunnah, is indeed an act invented by the wicked and a part of the ‘other paths’ that deviate away from Allah’s Straight Path.

The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever performs a deed that does not conform to our matter (religion), then it is rejected.” (Sahih Muslim 1718)
-Bid’ah (innovation in the religion) destroys the true religion and takes the place of the Sunnah:
Imam Ahmad narrated that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whenever people invent a Bid’ah, Allah removes from them a Sunnah in its place.”

-Moreover, innovating in the religion leads to division. Each group happy with what they have just as Allah described them:

“Each group rejoicing in what is with it (as its beliefs).” (23:53)

-The Sunnah, in contrast, unites people, gathers their hearts and makes them brethren who love each other, follow one path and embrace one religion:
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e., this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves.” (3: 103)
The Prophet warned against the Bid’ah and used to say these words in his Khutbah:
“Amma Ba ‘du (Then)! The best speech is Allah’s Book, the best guidance is that sent with Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) the worst matters are matters of innovation, and every Bid’ah is a heresy.”

Finally we say that becoming involved in Bid’ah is from the greatest betrayals to Allah’s religion and His Messenger. Since it changes what he fought hard to preserve!

Nothing makes this more clear than what will occur on the Last Day at the banks of the Pond of Allahs’ Messenger:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “Some of my companions will come to me at my Lake Fount (al-Hawd), and after I recognize them, they will then be taken away from me, whereupon I will say, ‘My companions!’ Then it will be said, ‘You do not know what they innovated (new things) in the religion after you.” (Bukhari)