"HUJJAT Al-BALAGHA" (The Conclusive Argument) by Shaykh

al-Islam Ibrahim Niasse(RA) on "Bid'a"

by Muhammad Abdullahi Al-Tijani Al-Ibrahimi on Sunday, 26
December 2010 at 20:32
In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
All praise and thanks belongs to Allah, The Lord of all the
worlds. The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. The Master of the
Day of Judgment. You Alone do we worship and from You Alone
do we seek help. The One Who said, “Who is more excellent in
speech than he who invites to Allah?” (41:33). May the peace
and blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah, our
master Muhammad (SAWS),who said, “Allah will cause to
flourish whosoever hears my words and carries them out and
makes others aware of them.” and he also said, “Convey from
me even if it’s a single word.” and he also said, “Surely, Allah
will strengthen this Deen by a corrupt man.”

May the peace and blessings of Allah also be upon his Family,
Companions and those who follow them until the Day of
Judgment. After this:

The ‘Ulama have divided “innovation” (Bid’a) into the same five
(5) categories of all Shari’a rulings, namely: 1.)Obligatory
(Wajib); 2.)Recommended (Mandub); 3.)Permissible (Ja’iz);
4.)Disliked (Makruh); and 5.)Prohibited (Haram). Whatsoever aids
and assists a person in doing righteousness, leads to goodness,
conveys the message of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), and
causes the Sacred Law to be established, falls under the
category of “obligatory” (Wajib). That which leads to goodness
(Wasilat ila Khayrat) is classified as “recommended” (Mandub).
That which is not injurious or detrimental to the Deen is called
“permissible” (Ja’iz). That which causes the death or cessation
of the Sunnah is classified as “disliked” (Makruh). All that leads
to misguidance and corruption is labeled “forbidden” (Haram).

All of these newly invented things which exist in our present

time which may not be called “obligatory” (Wajib), can most
assuredly be classified as “recommended” (Mandub). The
‘Ulama have considered the publication of the Holy Quran,
Hadith collections, Islamic books, and setting up schools to
spread knowledge as “obligatory” and “recommended”. These
new technologies such as tape recordings, loudspeakers,
microphones, radios and everything else which is a device or
instrument to be used to assist in helping the Deen (fall under
these two categories of Wajib and Mandub). Do you not see that
the number of pilgrims to Mecca increases each year --all praise
belongs to Allah!--and how will this great number of people be
able to pray behind one Imam without the use of loudspeakers,
which is an innovation in the Sacred Masjid? Anything which is
a means to obedience (and goodness) must be deemed as
obedience (and goodness)!

What about these big ships, cars, airplanes, telephones and

other means of transportation and communication which are
helping the Muslims in their Deen? All actions are judged
according to intention! A Believer looks for the best way! The
‘Ulama have been entrusted to make things easy and to be
bearers of glad tidings, as the Prophet(SAWS) said, “Make
things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them,
and make them cheerful with glad tidings and do not repulse
them.” (Sahih Bukhari). The Ummah of Muhammad(SAWS)
cannot all be in agreement with misguidance and error! May
Allah guide us to that which He is pleased with and loves. By His
Benevolence, may He heal our hearts from their sickness.
Ameen. Salaam.

Shaykh Ibrahim ibn Shaykh Al-Hajj Abdullahi al-Kaolacki

"HUJJAT AL-BALAGHA"
(INTERPRETED FROM THE ARABIC BY MUHAMMAD
ABDULLAHI AL-TIJANI AL-IBRAHIMI)