narrated from his father, from his grandfather that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Bilal bin Al-Harith: "Know." He said: "I am ready to know O Messenger of Allah!" He (ﷺ) said: "That indeed whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah which has died after me, then for him is a reward similar to whoever acts upon it without diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever introduces an erroneous innovation which Allah is not pleased with, nor His Messenger, then he shall receive sins similar to whoever acts upon it, without that diminishing anything from the sins of the people.'"
Hadith Text
Narrated from his father, from his grandfather that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Bilal bin Al-Harith: "Know." He said: "I am ready to know O Messenger of Allah!" He (ﷺ) said: "That indeed whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah which has died after me, then for him is a reward similar to whoever acts upon it without diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever introduces an erroneous innovation which Allah is not pleased with, nor His Messenger, then he shall receive sins similar to whoever acts upon it, without that diminishing anything from the sins of the people."
Source and Authenticity
This hadith is recorded in Jami' at-Tirmidhi as Hadith 2677 under the chapter "Chapters on Knowledge". Imam Tirmidhi graded this hadith as hasan gharib (good and rare).
Commentary on the Command "Know"
The Prophet's opening command "Know" (i'lam) emphasizes the importance of seeking and possessing knowledge before action. This establishes that proper understanding must precede religious practice. Scholars note this demonstrates knowledge is the foundation upon which deeds are built, and ignorance leads to innovation.
Reviving the Sunnah
The phrase "whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah which has died" refers to teaching, practicing, and spreading neglected authentic practices of the Prophet. Scholars explain this includes reviving both knowledge and action. The reward is equivalent to all who follow it without reduction from their rewards - demonstrating Allah's infinite generosity.
Understanding Innovation (Bid'ah)
The term "erroneous innovation" refers to newly invented matters in religion that have no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. Scholars categorize innovations as either praiseworthy (in worldly matters) or blameworthy (in religious matters). This hadith specifically addresses blameworthy innovations that contradict Islamic principles.
Spiritual Consequences
The parallel structure shows the serious consequences of both reviving Sunnah and introducing innovation. Just as the reviver gains rewards of all followers, the innovator bears sins of all who adopt his innovation. This establishes individual responsibility for one's religious influence on the community.
Scholarly Application
Classical scholars used this hadith to emphasize the importance of adhering to authentic Sunnah and warning against religious innovations. It serves as a foundation for the principle that all religious matters must be traced back to authentic sources, and personal opinions cannot override established Islamic texts.