The Salaf are the first three generations of Muslims who followed the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the best way. They are the companions of the Prophet, their followers, and the followers of their followers. They are the best examples for us to emulate and seek guidance from.
Innovation (Bid’ah) in religious matters is to invent something new that is not supported by any authentic proof from the Quran or the Sunnah. It is a deviation from the pure and complete religion of Islam that Allah has perfected for us.
Allah says in the Quran:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Surah Al-Ma`idah 3
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
And it has come in the famous narration of A’isha رضي الله عنها, that the Prophet said:
مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
Whoever innovates into this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that which is not from it will have it rejected.
Bukhari 2697, Muslim 1718
And in another wording of Muslim narrated by Sa’d bin Ibrahim from A’isha:
مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلاً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
Whoever does an act which is not according to our command will have it rejected
Muslim 1718
Jabir bin Abdullah narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ أَصْدَقَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ وَأَحْسَنَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَشَرُّ الْأُمُورِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا وَكُلُّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ وَكُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَكُلُّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِي النَّارِ
“The best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance and example is that of Muhammad, and the worst of all things are the newly invented things (in the religion), for every religious innovation is an error and a misguidance.”
an-Nasa’i 1578
Imam al-Awza’i, one of the great scholars of the Salaf, said:
عليك بآثار من سلف وإن رفضك الناس، وإيّاك وآراء الرجال وإن زخرفوها لك بالقول؛ فإن الأمر ينجلي – حين ينجلي – وأنت على طريق مستقيم
“You must adhere to the narrations of those who preceded you (i.e. the Salaf), even if the people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you with words; for the matter will become clear – when it becomes clear – and you will be on a straight path.”
Sharaf Ashabul Hadith #6
Therefore, it is important for us to follow the Salaf and leave off innovation and the people of it. By doing so, we will be on the straight path that leads to Allah’s pleasure and Paradise. We will also be protected from falling into error, confusion, and misguidance that may lead to Allah’s wrath and Hellfire. We ask Allah to make us among those who follow the Salaf and avoid innovation. Ameen.
