Are Things Not Established in the Sacred Law Also Good?

Question

A certain matter which is outwardly very good but is not established from the sunna or from the Companions ﵃ and the Tabi‘in, yet has been current among the common people for many years, and through it a kind of collective cohesion is found among people — that is, it creates a bond among them: should it be eradicated despite its being bid‘a, or not? For example, the mawlid, the second du‘a (du‘a-thaniya), the fatiha after the prayer, and so on.

Answer

Mere gathering together is not sought and intended in the sight of Allah; what is sought and intended is gathering upon good and the sunna. Therefore it is necessary to bring them onto the straight path with wise management, kindness and heartfelt concern.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.