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:

Can you please quote the ayat in which Allah says that no innovations can be brought in religion. I have read the ayat which says that Religion is Allah`s alone. Is there any other Ayat which says innovations cannot be brought in religion.

Also I am trying to convert an Ismaili friend of mine. Please help me how I should go about it. They have almost the same beliefs as Bohris.

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Answer:

Verses for bida innovation from quran

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Can you please quote the ayat in which Allah says that no innovations can be brought in religion.

Beloved Sister in Islam, innovations are more to do with adding some rites and rituals, which have not been endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws) to the deen, and presenting or following them as a part of the religion. The concept of innovations is dealt in a more direct manner in the authentic and established hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (saws) rather than the Glorious Quran.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 37:

37 Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Aayahs?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 29 Surah Ankabut verse 68:

68 And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches Him? Is there not a home in Hell for those who reject Faith?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 61 Surah Saff verse 7:

7 Who doth greater wrong than one who invents falsehood against Allah even as he is being invited to Islam? And Allah guides not those who do wrong.

One amongst the examples of innovations of the pagan Arabs which Allah dealth with in the Quran is related in the below story from Surah Al-Anaam:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verses 138-139, 142-144:

138 And they say that such and such cattle and crops are taboo and none should eat of them except those whom so they say We wish; further there are cattle forbidden to yoke or burden and cattle on which (at slaughter) the name of Allah is not pronounced; inventions against Allah's name! Soon will He requite them for their inventions.

139 They say: "What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men and forbidden to our women; but if it is still-born then all have shares therein. For their (false) attribution (of superstitions to Allah): He will soon punish them: for He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.

142 Of the cattle are some for burden and some for meat. Eat what Allah hath provided for you and follow not the footsteps of the Shaytaan: for he is to you an avowed enemy.

143 (Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs: of sheep a pair and of goats a pair; say hath He forbidden the two males or the two females or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful.

144 Of camels a pair and of oxen a pair; say hath He forbidden the two males or the two females or the (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Were ye present when Allah ordered you such a thing? But who doth more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah to lead astray men without knowledge? For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.

In the following authentic hadeeths, the concept of innovations is tackled in a distinguished manner by the Messenger of Allah (saws):

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!”

Your Question: Also I am trying to convert an Ismaili friend of mine. Please help me how I should go about it. They have almost the same beliefs as Bohris.

The ‘Bohras’ are actually a sub-sect of the Ismaili-Mustaali branch or sect….and in our humble experience the biggest reason for the misguidance of both these sects is that they are made to believe that their head-priest is a ‘divine-imam-incarnate’ and their priests have somehow convinced their followers that unconditional obedience to their priest is a pre-condition to salvation!

Both the Ismailis and the Bohras recite the Quran and believe in it as the very Words of Allah Subhanah…but somehow their unscrupulous priests have convinced their followers that the meaning and the guidance of the Glorious Quran cannot be understood by the common man, and one must allege unconditional obedience and only come to their priest for guidance. Such is this thought that the Quran cannot be understood drilled into the hearts of the followers by their priests, that the common Ismailis or the Bohras will be willing to read any book you give them with understanding, but very few of them will accept your invitation to read the Quran with understanding…even if only once!

Thus the absolute best way to go about inviting your Ismaili brethren is to invite them to read a translation of the Glorious Quran in a language they understand best…even if only once! There is no better way to invite someone to Islam other than guiding them to understand and comprehend the guidance of the Quran, for the Glorious Quran is indeed the ‘furqaan’ or the book which distinguishes the Truth from the falsehoods.

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