Salafism and the Concept of Bid'a or Religious Innovation: The Debates on the Vistas of Islamic Growth and Diversity

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 09 November 2024 Salafi Interpretations of Bid’a Underscore the Movement’s Commitment to Preserving What It Considers the Purest Form of Islam, Yet This Approach Has Far-Reaching Implications for Islamic Pluralism and Development. By Rejecting Religious Innovation, Salafism Often Resists The Organic Growth And Adaptation That Have Historically Allowed Islam To Thrive In Diverse Regions And Cultures. This Stance Challenges The Notion Of Islam As A Flexible, Global Faith And Narrows The Scope For Intellectual And Cultural Diversity Within The Religion. Major Points: The concept of Bid’a, or religious innovation, holds significant weight in the Salafi interpretation of Islam, where it is often viewed as a deviation from the pure, original teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the earliest Muslim community. Within Salafism, Bid’a represents any practice, belief, or custom in Islam that was not directly sanctioned by the Prophet or the first three generations of Muslims, known as the Salaf. Rooted in a desire to emulate the early Islamic community, the Salafi understanding of Bid’a has given rise to rigorous standards of authenticity that seek to preserve Islam as it was practised in its earliest form. As Islam continues to grow in various parts of the world, the balance between preserving tradition and embracing necessary adaptation remains essential. Embracing a more nuanced understanding of Bid’a could help Muslims foster a faith that respects both Islam's core teachings and the rich diversity of Muslim experiences worldwide. The concept of Bid'a, or religious innovation, is something of singular significance for the Salafi understanding of Islam, often a deviation from the purity of Muhammad's message and the early community that would emerge in the midst of it. In Salafism, Bid'a refers to any practice, belief, or custom of Islam not directly sanctioned by the Prophet or the first three generations of Muslims referred to as the Salaf. From an intention to emulate the first Muslim generation, the Salafi interpretation of Bid'a has resulted in rigid requirements for authenticity so that Islam is maintained exactly as when at its initial stage. This article reviews the history of development and importance of the Salafi interpretation of Bid'a, the debate between academia on this, and how it impacted upon the development, diversification, and organic nature of Islam across cultures. With these facts, we will be able to comprehend origins, applications, and modern-day implications of Salafi thought on Bid'a as well as how this approach has inspired the Islamic world as a whole by undermining the ability of Islam to adapt to local settings and the accommodation of alternative interpretations of Islam. Origin of Salafism Salafism roots trace back to the concept of returning to the faith and practices of the Salaf Al-Salih, which comprises the Prophet Muhammad, his companions, and the two generations following them. The Salafi movement progressed through different stages-from the early purist revivalist movements of scholars like Ibn Taymiyya in the 13th and 14th centuries to more formalised expressions in the 18th century with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in the Arabian Peninsula. Strict interpretations of Bid'a and a desire to purify Islam made Wahhabism a foundational influence in modern Salafi thought. In Salafi doctrine, virtually any practice that is not explicitly based on the Quran, the Sunnah-the traditions of the Prophet-or the practice of the earliest Muslims is at least potentially regarded as Bid'a. This extreme concept of religious innovation became the bedrock of Salafi ideology, promoting literalism and resisting the impact of what is perceived as "corrupting" cultural or philosophical elements introduced into Islam through the ages. Classical vs. Salafi Conceptions of Bid'a The concept of Bid'a predates the Salafist movement; classical scholars of several Islamic schools of thought discussed the implications of this concept. Many Sunni scholars, such as Imam al-Shafi'i, differentiated between "good" (acceptable) and "bad" (unacceptable) Bid'a. Many innovations do not carry any opposition from the point of view of Islamic principles and are good enough for the Muslim community. For example, collecting all those verses in one book after the Prophet's death was technically an innovation but was widely accepted for it served to protect and preserve the message. Contrary to this, Salafi interpretations do not draw such lines and often assert that Bid'a is an unadulterated danger to the purity and authenticity of Islam. In the Salafi worldview, any religious innovation, no matter what its intention or apparent good, makes religion deviant and may take away from the path assigned by the Prophet and his companions. The Inflexibility of the Salafi Method towards Bid'a Salafis consider bid'a as a basic form of deviation from the truth of Islam and believe no enhancement, reduction or change in religion should be permitted. This is so because religious truth was attained at the time of the Prophet and, thus, did not require further development. One of the most-repeated hadiths, "Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire," exemplifies the Salafi philosophy, suggesting that any belief or practice in religion that is not directly linked back to Muhammad is in itself perilous. To Salafis, this tenet does not only apply to theology but covers all religious actions, moving away from cultural variations where Islam can be defined in local contexts and would breathe into worship aspects or customs of a place or locality not considered Islamic. This position makes it yet another barrier to Islam's integration in diversified cultural contexts and, more often than not, positions Salafism against other variants of Muslims, as well as the Muslim society at large, embracing facets of indigenous or customary practices. Resistance from Other Islamic Scholars On the other hand, most mainstream Sunni scholars contend that a puritanical dismissal of all Bid'a activity pays little heed to the multiplicity of Islamic expression at different places and times. They argue that Islam has throughout history been able to thrive through an evolutionary ability to incorporate local customs. The scholars, for instance, seem to believe that contextualising religious practice helped in the growth of Islam, indicating ways of meeting the various diverse societies' needs. For example, Sufi rituals often combine poetry and music with other regional traditions into the language of faith activity that Salafism considers Bid'a. The impact of prominent thinkers, including Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and Ibn al-Jawzi, was particularly unique since it emphasized the role of the environment and the virtues of some innovations that were consistent with the essence of Islam. They contended that not all Bid'a are deceptive because such a blanket statement negates the factors of cultural adjustment that helped disseminate Islam as well as maintain social order. Salafi Views on Bid'a and Their Impact on Islamic Pluralism In Shrinking the Boundaries of Accepted Religious Practices The Salafi view of Bid'a tends to shrink the 'boundaries of acceptable religious practices within Islam, pushing towards uniformity and thus challenging the pluralistic nature of Islamic history. Rejection of all the religious expressions that are not mentioned directly in the Quran and Sunnah restricts the shape of Islamic worship and cultural practices developed by Muslim communities all over the world. For example, the celebration by Muslim communities of the Prophet's birthday as a day for respect and love towards their beloved Prophet is considered an unwarranted Bid'a by the Salafi adherents. This narrow attitude could estrange sections of the Muslim community who find meaning and relevance to the traditional celebrations. In the long run, it would result in fragmentation instead of cohesion of the world Muslim nation. Where Islam had mingled with the prevailing cultures, like Indonesia, the Indian subcontinent, and other parts of Africa, intolerance to Bid'a on the part of Salafism would separate the indigenous Muslims from practicing ways from the Salafis. Undermining Organic Development of Islam in Different Cultures This stance regarding Bid'a is problematic in the context of the natural and organic development of Islam within a specific cultural system. For centuries, Islam has adapted to local customs and values so as to foster its growth across regions. The strictness in interpretation as espoused by the Salafists greatly limits the capacity to be able to adjust and can only produce an "Islam" that is pure in places where it may not normally resonate with local customs and societal norms. For example, pilgrim visits to the tombs of the saints is strictly part of the Sufi lifestyle, and all such practices are well-rooted in the region's Islamic traditions. Salafism condemns these practices as coming within the ambit of the vice of Bid'a and annihilating a practice which has helped spread Islam and its full integration in South Asia. It also prevents the belief system from evolving in a manner that may show applicability towards the local cultural context by forcefully imposing some standard version of Islam and driving communities away from the religion. Countering the Emerging of Varied Islamic Thoughts The emphasis on prohibiting Bid'a has implications for the intellectual and theological pluralism of Islam. The prohibition of new religious thinking and innovation tends to stifle alternative perspectives that could critically think about some of the issues prevalent in the current sociological, ethical, or scientific concerns. At one time, Islamic classical scholarship embraced intellectual pluralism, but Salafi perceptions of Bid'a often prevent a person from engaging with knowledge that's secular or interpretations that have developed over time, fearing such knowledge will dilute or defile faith. This will strangle the growing conceptual expertise that can link Islamic teachings with modern scientific and philosophical discoveries. For instance, the issue of bioethics in theological aspects or environmental issues may be struck off if they are considered innovations. This therefore shrinks the Islamic scholarship prowess of advancing to coming responses due to changing modern challenges and places the religion in a time and set framework, while its scope may not be allowed to or serve in today's societies. Wider Implications for Global Islam Impact on Communities Salafi rejection of Bid'a has brought about a ripple effect on many global Muslim communities. The opposition from Salafis leads to a battle with the rest of their community, who cherish indigenous activities. The sectarian conflict comes sooner rather than later because Salafis aim at cleansing local Islamic practices through abusive rhetoric, declaring other Muslims heretical or astray. Such an approach makes the community violent from the inside since Salafism tends to support only an "authentic" vision of Islam and rejects other long-established traditions in the faith. Government and Social Reactions to Salafism There have been severe resistances in most countries with significant Muslim diversities to the influence of Salafism on Bid'a on account of its perceived tendency towards divisiveness. Such regions, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, encourage less extreme versions of the Islamic religion and even seek to repress the influence of Salafists. In such communities, community leaders and learned men promote a tolerant expression of Islamic practices that leaves space for diversity in matters of culture. The increasing demands for a balanced Bid'a have to be met by the state. In response to such challenges presented by the Salafi method, some modern-day scholars have argued for an intelligent understanding of what constitutes Bid'a - one that respects the traditional sources but also acknowledges the accommodation with local culture. Since Muslims can practice Islam in harmony with local customs without losing the essence of Islamic beliefs. Such scholars claim that it is possible for Islam to be authentic while still being relevant to the world. Conclusion Salafi's exegeses of Bid'a underscore the movement's commitment to preserving what it imagines to be the purest variant of Islam; however, an approach of this kind has far-reaching implications for both the pluralism of Islamicism and its development. The dismissal of religious innovation by Salafism often also resists organic growth and adaptation that have traditionally enabled Islam to thrive in places and cultures. This position confronts such a perception of Islam as a "flexible, global faith" and limits the possibilities of intellectual and cultural diversity within the religion. As Islam spreads across new regions of the world, it is essential to continue striving to find that delicate balance between keeping tradition and embracing necessary adaptation. With a subtle understanding of the idea of Bid'a, Muslims may grow a faith that learns to honour core Islam but continually celebrates the unique rich world of experiences practiced by various Muslims around the globe. … A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. --------- URL: https://newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/salafism-concept-religious-innovation-islamic-growth/d/133664 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism