Misconceptions of bidah in muslim society

Abstract

This study aims to examine the phenomenon of misconceptions of bid’ah (innovation) arising in the Muslim society since, the time of al-Khulafa’ al-Rashidun (the four righteous Caliphs) until the present. The qualitative method of content analysis on the debates of Muslim scholars in their works and literatures. Most traditional and modern Muslim scholars have mutually agreed that the Prophet (PBUH) considered the practice of bidahas heresy. However, there aresome deedssuch as performingTarawih congregational prayersare categorized asbidah hasanah (good innovation) that washappening during the period of Saidina Umar (RA). Such contradiction became the cause of debates and confusion not only among Muslim society but also has been debated amongMuslim scholars since long time ago. Some classical scholars such as Imam Shatibi, Imam Shafii, Imam Izzal-Din bin Abd al-Salam got under standing about the term and concept of bidah through the processof ijtihad (personal reasoning) and this has brought various interpretations. Confusion and disagreement on the issue lasted until today when several prominent scholars such as Muhammad al-Ghazali, al-Qaradawi and al-Zuhayli also expressed different views regarding this concept through their works. In Malay archipelago, most scholars then to discuss aboutbid`ah in the context of customs associated with daily religious rituals such as the practice of tahlil, talqin, recitation of surah Yasin on Friday night and so forth which are contributing to the distortion and deviation of faith, deviant teaching as well as the stagnation of civilizational process. The findings show that there is still confusion and disagreement among Muslim scholars and community about the concept of bidah that consequently, give a big impact on Islamic civilization as a whole.