BUILD OR DEMOLISH

"The one, who shows respect for a person, who is in Bid'ah, has absolutely helped in demolishing Islam." (Al Baihaqi)

Bid'ah is the contrary of Sunnah. First of all, it is good to understand the meaning of Sunnah in order to easily understand the meaning of Bid'ah. 

Sunnah is a practice which is in accordance to the teaching of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). Similarly, a practice which has been practiced openly and publicly during the time of the Sahaabah-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), Taabi'in and Tabi Taabi'in without any objection or contestation, is a sign and an indication that this practice is in accordance to the teaching of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). Therefore, this is also a Sunnah. This is because Deen was very precious for the people of those three eras. This prevented them from being insensitive and keeping quiet regarding a practice which was not according to Islamic principles. The integrity of these three eras was testified by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) as he said:

"The best era is my era, then the era that comes after it, then the one that comes after it." 

The testimony of the integrity of these three eras which was given by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) made the Ulama understand that all practices that had received approval during these three eras, are Sunnah and are compatible with the spirit of Deen. 

In the light of this explanation, it is easy to understand that all practices and forms of Ibaadah which did not exist during those three eras or were disapproved during those three eras are Bid'ah.

So, a person, who adopts an ideology or remains engaged in a certain form of Ibaadah which is neither approved by the teaching of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) nor did it exist during those three eras, is involved in Bid'ah. A person who is involved in Bid'ah is called a "Mubtadi".

In the light of the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), showing respect for such a person represents demolition of Islam as it is a sort of encouragement for the person to persevere in his Bid'ah. To promote and encourage a Bid'ah by showing respect to the one who is engaged in it, is a means to demolish the edifice of Islam. If showing respect for a Mubtadi (a person who is in Bid’ah) is a means to demolish Islam, it means that showing respect for the one who is serious in Deen and practices the Sunnah, is a means to strengthen / reinforce the Deen. 

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: 

"He is not of my Ummah, the one who has no respect for our elders, has no pity for our young, and has no gratitude for our Ulama." (Musnad Ahmad, Tabraani and Al Hakim)

[English version of "Batir ou demolir - Sounnah et Bid'ah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.13]