The Definition of Bid‘a

Question

What is the meaning of “bid‘a”? Kindly favour us with an answer giving the definition of bid‘a hasana (good innovation) and bid‘a dalala (misguided innovation) with reference to hadith and proofs, together with a few examples.

Answer

To do something regarding it as a source of reward, when the Sacred Law has not declared any reward for it, is bid‘a (innovation in religion) — whether that thing is an act, or the form of some act, or some restriction of time, place, number and the like.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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