Hadith Text & Reference

"If any one introduces into this affair of ours anything which does not belong to it, it is rejected." Ibn `Isa said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If anyone practices any action in a way other than our practice, it is rejected."

Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 4606 | Book: Model Behavior of the Prophet (Kitab Al-Sunnah)

Meaning & Significance

This hadith establishes the fundamental principle that any religious innovation (bid'ah) introduced into Islam without basis in the Quran or Sunnah is rejected and unacceptable. The phrase "this affair of ours" refers to the complete religion of Islam as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The second narration emphasizes that any worship performed contrary to the Prophetic method is invalid, even if the intention is good. This protects the purity of Islamic teachings from human alterations and ensures religious practices remain authentically connected to divine revelation.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam al-Nawawi explains that this hadith is one of the great foundations of Islam, serving as a clear criterion for distinguishing between accepted and rejected actions. Any practice claiming to be Islamic must have evidence from the Shariah to be valid.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali states that this principle applies to both beliefs and practices. Innovations in matters of faith are particularly dangerous as they corrupt the fundamental understanding of Islam. The rejection mentioned means such actions are void of reward and may even incur sin.

Scholars distinguish between linguistic innovation (anything new) and religious innovation (new matters in worship without precedent). Only the latter is condemned here. Worldly innovations that don't conflict with Shariah principles are permissible.

Practical Application

Muslims must verify all religious practices against the Quran and authentic Sunnah. This requires seeking knowledge from qualified scholars who understand the texts properly.

When encountering new practices, one should ask: "Where is the evidence for this from the Quran or Sunnah?" The burden of proof lies with those introducing new practices, not with those questioning them.

This principle protects the Muslim community from divisions and extremes, maintaining unity around the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as understood by the early generations of Muslims.