Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

assalam alykum,

i hav 5 questions:

1.) wen i read Quran with translation, v cum across various gud verses, wich r most of da times Duas (starting with "Rabbana"). So i used 2 write it down, learn n den recite after namaz, like prayers. can v do dat? or its a Bidaa?

2.) if not, den v hav 2 book named, 40 Rabbana, in wich 40 verses from da Holy Quran are listed and it can b recited like prayers. so can v read n learn those verses like prayers? or is it bidaa?

3.)i hav another book named, `99 beuytiful names of Allah`. n it is also der in Quran, dat call Allah by various different names. so, der different names 2 b recited at different conditions (or problems) and some given number of times, 2 get rid of it. is dat a bidaa?

4.) it is also said dat, if v r in sum problem, for example, in search of a job, v can recite Surah Fatiha 40 times in between da sunnah n farz of Fajr namaz. and da work will b accomplished, and it is also proven. is dis a bidaa`?

5.) as i understand, v shud not do anything apart from wot is der in Quran and Hadees, n anything other dan that bcums bidaa`. so my grand mother told me an ayaat of holy Quran, wich is 2 b recited with durood at da begining and end at da time of difficulty or pain, n da person will b relieved. i hav experienced personally, how effective it is. so, is even doing dat a bidaa`??

plz answer my questions in da light of Quran n Hadees. Jaza kallah. 

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Answer:

Acts bidaa or not

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: wen i read Quran with translation, v cum across various gud verses, wich r most of da times Duas (starting with "Rabbana"). So i used 2 write it down, learn n den recite after namaz, like prayers. can v do dat? or its a Bidaa?

Beloved Sister, it would be a highly meritorious act and absolutely encouraged in Islam that the believers learn and recite the various supplications related in the Glorious Quran whenever and/or as often as they can. If one wishes to or finds it easier or more convenient to recite these supplications after their prayers, there is absolutely no harm.

When Allah and His Messenger (saws) have not specified a number, or time, or place, or day of its recitation, but one from themselves invents a number, or a place, or a time, or a day, etc. for reciting these supplications, believing that the recitation of these supplications for a specific number of times, or at a specific place, or on a specific day or night earns more reward from Allah Subhanah; then indeed such an act would constitute a ‘bida’ in the Sight of Allah.

Writing, or securing to memory, or reciting these supplications are not ‘bida’; but to invent and allocate a number to its recitation, or a specific place for its recitation, or a particular day or night for its recitation, believing that they have superior merit, would indeed constitute a ‘bida’ in the Sight of the Lord.

Q-2: if not, den v hav 2 book named, 40 Rabbana, in wich 40 verses from da Holy Quran are listed and it can b recited like prayers. so can v read n learn those verses like prayers? or is it bidaa?
There is absolutely no harm, in fact it would be highly meritorious and useful, if one recites these supplication from the Glorious Quran whenever or as often as one wills.

Q-3: i hav another book named, `99 beuytiful names of Allah`. n it is also der in Quran, dat call Allah by various different names. so, der different names 2 b recited at different conditions (or problems) and some given number of times, 2 get rid of it. is dat a bidaa?

Allah Subhanah has introduced Himself and is recognized through His Noble Names and Attributes, and the Lord Most High Himself has Commanded the believers to call upon Him by His Exalted Names; thus there is absolutely no harm in learning or calling upon the Lord Most High by His Noble Attributes.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 180:

180 The Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.419 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise.”

If the Messenger of Allah (saws) had guided that calling upon a particular Attribute or Name of Allah for a specific number of times relieves one of a condition or has a particular reward, then it would be a Sunnah to follow the Command of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

But from oneself if one were to invent a number, and declare that reciting a particular Name of Allah so many times would relieve one of a particular condition or problem, then following or believing such a ritual would indeed constitute a manifest ‘bida’ or innovation in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

When Allah or His Messenger (saws) have not specified the number, nor specified its rewards, etc…….who can dare to claim that that recitation of a particular Name for a specific number of times relieves one of a given affliction???

Dear and Beloved sister in Islam, it is the solemn belief of every true believer who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, that there was, is, or never will be anyone in the annuls of creation who worshipped Allah Subhanah more or better than the Noble Last and Final Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws)!

Thus if anyone dares to comes up with any act of worship like celebration, commemoration, or prescribes importance to any prayer, or fast, or night or day, or invents, innovates, or adds anything in the deen of Islam which is not endorsed by the Noble Prophet (saws), then it implies one of three things:

1. that the person who claims that worship is due in this specific way loves and worships Allah more than the Noble Prophet (saws)!!!
2. or, that the person knows more than the Noble Prophet (saws)!!!
3. or, that the person has received revelations from Allah Subhanah after the death of the Prophet Mohamed (saws)!!!

Allah is our witness sister, if anyone in the annuls of creation ever claims to have any of the above three qualities, then he is nothing more than a confirmed and manifest liar!; for Allah is our witness, no man in the annuls of creation loved or worshipped their Lord more than Prophet Mohamed (saws), no man in the annuls of creation had more knowledge of the Truth than the Noble Prophet Mohamed (saws), and Allah is our witness, the Last and Final Revelations of The Lord Most Majestic were revealed on Prophet Mohamed (saws), and there is none who will or can receive Revelations after him (saws)!

If one brings, invents, adds or innovates any act or deed in religion which has not been specifically endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws), then it has to be a ‘bida’ (innovation in the religion after the deen was completed on Prophet Mohamed (saws)), and Allah is our witness, every innovation in the deen of Islam is an error in the Sight of Allah Subhanah!

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations (bida), and every innovation (bida) is an error.”

Thus, in conclusion sister, calling upon the Lord Most High by His Noble and Exclusive Names and Attributes is absolutely encouraged in Islam, and one may call upon their Lord whenever and however times one wills; but to call upon a particular Attribute for a specific number of times for a particular condition, when such limitations are not imposed by Allah and His Messenger (saws) would indeed constitute a manifest ‘bida’ or innovation in the Sight of the Lord.

Q-4: it is also said dat, if v r in sum problem, for example, in search of a job, v can recite Surah Fatiha 40 times in between da sunnah n farz of Fajr namaz. and da work will b accomplished, and it is also proven. is dis a bidaa`?

Whenever one wishes to determine whether or not an act or deed is an innovation or not, the only one question one ever needs to ask is: ‘WHO IS THE ONE WHO SAID OR COMMANDED SO?’

If Allah and/or His Messenger (saws) have Said or Commanded the believers to do the act in Islam, then it should be followed and obeyed for that is indeed guidance.

If anyone else, other than Allah and/or His Messenger (saws) have said or commanded the act in Islam, then regardless of who that individual is, know with absolute conviction that the believing, or obeying of this act would be absolute misguidance.

”it is also said dat, if v r in sum problem, for example, in search of a job, v can recite Surah Fatiha 40 times in between da sunnah n farz of Fajr namaz. and da work will b accomplished”

‘It is also said….’ By who??? There is absolutely no evidence in the Glorious Quran or the authentic and established traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) which states that if one is in search of a job and one recites the Surah Al-Fatihah 40 times between the Sunnah and Fajr prayers, his work will be accomplished!!!

When Allah and His Messenger (saws) have not guided the believers to recite the Surah Al-Fatihah 40 times, then regardless of who has said such a thing, know with absolute conviction that this act is not a part of Islam or Guidance, but a clear and manifest ‘bida’ or innovation which someone has introduced in the pure and perfect deen of Islam without any authority whatsoever!

One may recite the Surah Al-Fatihah as often as one wills or is easy for them, but to quantify a number for its recitation, or assume that the recitation for a specific number of times brings forth a specific reward…..when Allah and His Messenger (saws) have not endorsed this act is to follow or believe in a ‘bida’!

Q-5A: as i understand, v shud not do anything apart from wot is der in Quran and Hadees, n anything other dan that bcums bidaa`.

Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, your understanding of ‘bida’ is absolutely accurate. If the act of worship is not specifically endorsed by Allah in His Quran or by Prophet Mohamed (saws) in his Sunnah, then know with absolute conviction that the act is neither a part of guidance, nor of Islam…..but a clear and manifest ‘bida’ or innovation which someone has introduced in the pure and perfect deen of Islam without any authority whatsoever.

All such innovations which are not endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws) must be immediately rejected by the believers, who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day.

Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘If somebody innovates something which is not present in our religion, then that thing will be rejected.’

Related by Bukhari.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations (bida), and every innovation (bida) is an error.”

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (bida in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation (bida) or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (bida), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people!”

Q-5B: so my grand mother told me an ayaat of holy Quran, wich is 2 b recited with durood at da begining and end at da time of difficulty or pain, n da person will b relieved. i hav experienced personally, how effective it is. so, is even doing dat a bidaa`??

What one’s grand-mother or any loved one says, or what one’s personal experience may be….it does not and cannot constitute a part of Islam or guidance.

There is absolutely no harm if one is in a difficulty or pain, and the person calls upon the Lord Most High and supplicates Him by reciting an appropriate Verse from the Glorious Quran, or makes a supplication which was taught by the Messenger of Allah (saws), or even if one makes supplication to the Lord Most High in their own language and words seeking the Help and Succor of Allah Subhanah. Nor is there any harm if one recites the durood at the end of one’s supplication.

But it was never the practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) to recite the durood, then recite the Verses of the Quran, and end the recitation of the Quran with a durood when seeking help or making supplications to the Lord Most High; thus making it a habit, or believing that it is necessary to recite durood-Quran-durood when making supplication, or believing that a supplication is more effective when one recites the ‘durood-Quran-durood’ ….. then indeed such a ritual or belief would constitute a ‘bida’ or innovation in the Sight of the Lord.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan