Bid’ah (Innovation), Part V - Related Qur’anic verses

Related Qur’anic verses:

• Allaah says that which translates as: “And do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And they will have a great punishment.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 105).
  Al-Qurtubi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "This verse refers to the Jews and the Christians according to the majority of the scholars, but others have said that it refers to innovators within the Muslim nation." And we should remember that prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam told us that this ummah with follow the Jews and the Christians footsteps by footsteps.
• Allaah says that which translates as: “On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black, [to them it will be said]: 'Did you disbelieve [i.e., reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject.'” (Aal ‘Imraan: 106).
  Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said concerning this verse: "The faces of the people who adhered to the Sunnah will turn white and bright, while the faces of the innovators will turn black and gloomy". Al-Qurtubi, may Allaah have mercy upon him,
  said: "He who innovates or changes anything of the religion of Allaah will be amongst the black faced people who will be prevented from reaching the Prophet’s fountain and therefore prohibited from drinking from it".
• Allaah says that which translates as: “And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers – We will give him what he has taken [i.e., make him responsible for his choice] and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.” (An-Nisaa’: 115).
  Imaam Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said concerning this verse: "This refers to those who take a path other than the one which the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam came with; so they became on one side and the Sharee’ah on the other, despite the fact that the truth had become clear to them and they knew this."
• Allaah says that which translates as: “…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islaam as a religion…” (Al-Maa’idah: 3).
  Imaam Maalik, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said concerning this verse:
  "He who innovates a new Bid’ah in Islaam considering it to be something good is in effect claiming that Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not fully convey the message of Islaam… So whatever was not a part of the religion at that time (i.e., the time of the Prophet and his companions) cannot be considered as a part of the religion today."
  Imaam Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "One of the greatest bounties from Allaah upon the Muslim nation is that He completed and perfected the religion of Islaam for them, so they have no need of any other religion or Prophet other than their Prophet. This is precisely why Allaah made Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam the seal of all Prophets and sent him to the Jinn as well as mankind. The only matters which are lawful are those that the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam made lawful and the only matters which are unlawful are those which he made unlawful. The only things that can be considered as part of the religion of Islaam are those which he conveyed; and that which he did not convey can never and will never be part of the religion. Everything that the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said was true and correct without even a trace of error or dishonesty."
  
• Allaah says that which translates as: “And [Moreover], this is my path. Which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you so that you may become righteous.” (Al-An’aam: 153).
  Mujaahid, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said concerning this verse:
  "The other ways mentioned are desires and innovations."
  Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, was asked about 'the straight path', he replied:
  "Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam left us standing at its beginning and it ends in Paradise. There are fast horses on its right and its left (indicating the speed with which they would lead one to Hell) with men inviting those who pass by (on the straight path) to come with them; so whoever responds to their invitation will be lead rapidly into the Hellfire, and whoever remains on the straight path will be lead to Paradise."
• Allaah says that which translates as: “[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think they are doing well in work.” (Al-Kahf: 104)
  Imaam At-Tabari, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said concerning this verse:
  "‘It refers to anyone who did an act thinking it to be correct and something that was in obedience to Allaah and something that pleased him, while in reality, it was a way of disobeying Allaah and straying away from the path of the believers."