Bidah Hasanah The Misunderstood Term by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Bidah Hasanah The Misunderstood Term by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

ISBN: 9789675699993

Author: Skeikh Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Book Binding: Paperback

Pages: 88

Size: 6 x 0.27 x 9 inches

Publication year: 2023

Description:About This Book:

This paper seeks to unravel the meaning of Bidah Hasanah

In Islamic jurisprudence Bidah Hasanah has a contentious meaning that is described as good innovation in Islam. The term Bidah simply translates to the creation or any event that is new while Bidah Hasanah specifically refers to that creation or new event that is considered to be positive. However, this difference may cause confusion especially because any thing that relates to Bidah seems to be regarded as evil according to the teachings of Islam. Nevertheless, Bidah Hasanah involves actions or practices that may not be prohibited in Shari’ah but adds value or brings convenience in worshipping or in any Islamic public interest.

Myth and Disputation

They are called Bidah Hasanah which, in due course, became an issue of controversy among Muslims and their distortions. There are those who are of the view that, there is no form of innovation that is permissible in Islam and that all form of ijtihad is unlawful, and there are those who believe that there is permissible ijtihad in so far as the innovations that are being practiced conform to the intentions and spirit of the Islamic faith. Such understanding provides different perceptions resulting to conflict as to the permissibility of innovations and practices developed after the end of the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions.

Examples and Applications of Bid’ah Hasanah

In order to clarify Bidah Hasanah, it is possible for one to refer to examples of history of Islam. For example the act of collecting Quran as a single book in the time of Caliph Abu Bakr and then the unification of Quran text by the Caliph Uthman are examples of Mustahhab innovations. Although these actions where not done by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to an extent they where beneficial in helping to protect the Quran and therefore are seen by many scholars as Bidah Hasanah.