Discuss the types of innovations (bida^). What is the proof for the validity of the innovation of guidance?
Linguistically, the innovation is something newly introduced, for which there is no previous example. Religiously, an innovation is of two types; an innovation of guidance and an innovation of misguidance. Suratul-Hadid, Ayah 27 reports about the true followers of ^Isa [Jesus], “The state of abstinence from worldly pleasure and dedication to worship (rahbaniyah) which they innovated for themselves, Allah did not ordain upon them. They embraced it only to seek reward from their Lord.” Allah praised the actions of these Muslim followers of Jesus for detaching themselves from the pleasures they were not forbidden; only in quest of reward from Allah. The hadith related by Muslim indicates, “He who innovates a good innovation in Islam has its reward and the reward of those who practice it until the Day of Judgment”. The companions and those who followed them introduced many innovations into Islam. The Muslim nation received these innovations with acceptance. Such innovations include having a niche in each mosque in the direction of prayer (mihrab), another call for the Friday prayer, and the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
