Question
Regarding your text on following a Madhab being a Bid’ah (innovation), how about the ones who follow it and call to it? Does it make them callers to innovation?
Answer
1. The standard to determine who becomes an innovator and who doesn’t become an innovator after calling to innovation or following it
No judgment is passed upon a Muslim being an innovator or not for calling towards an innovation or following it, until a knowledgeable person explains to them-using Allah’s speech-about what they were ignorant about, in a language that person understands. Allah said: ‘And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.’ [14:4]
If the caller to innovation or its follower understands the innovation after it being explained to him, he can no longer be excused in that affair. Allah said: ‘And Allah would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things.’ [9:115]
And no speech other than the speech of Allah and His Messenger will be used to pass judgment on someone being an innovator or not. Allah said: ‘We have sent down the message to you too [O Prophet], so that you can explain to people what was sent for them, so that they may reflect.’ [16:44]
And Allah said: ‘You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it.’ [3:187]
And Allah said: ‘Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture – those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse.’ [2:159]
And Allah commanded those who are ignorant-about a follower or caller to innovation being an innovator or not-to ask the people of knowledge about Allah’s speech and His Messenger’s speech regarding an issue; not that they ask the scholar about his opinion or the opinions of any Imam. Allah said: ‘So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know, on the basis of evidences and the Scriptures.’ [16:43-44]
And a scholar informing an ignorant person about a ruling using a scholar’s speech will still keep the ignorant an ignorant, and the evidence and judgment of him not being ignorant or excused will not be established upon him. Allah said: ‘Those who deny the Book [i.e., the Qur’an] and that with which We sent Our Messengers – they are going to know.’ [40:70]
And Allah said: ‘They took their scholars and monks as Lords besides Allah.’ [9:31]
2. When does a caller to innovation not become an innovator?
The origin regarding a specific Muslim calling to innovation is that he will not be deemed an innovator, for if Allah’s speech did not come to such a person and clarify to him that the Madhabs are an innovation, Allah excused him. Allah said: ‘[We sent] Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the Messengers.’ [4:165]
And Allah said: ‘And if We had destroyed them with a punishment before him, they would have said, ‘Our Lord, why did You not send to us a Messenger so we could have followed Your Verses [i.e., teachings] before we were humiliated and disgraced?’ [20:134]
And Allah said: ‘And never would We punish until We sent a Messenger.’ [17:15]
And Allah said: ‘And Allah would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things.’ [9:115]
And Allah said: ‘And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother [i.e., principal city] a Messenger reciting to them Our Verses.’ [28:59]
And Allah said: ‘They [the Children of Israel] said, ‘O Musa, make for us a god just as they have gods.’ He said, ‘Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.’ [7:138]
And Allah said: ‘And when those come to you who believe in Our Verses, say, ‘Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.’ [6:54]
Similarly, if the Muslim erred in his judgment and deemed the Madhabs to not be an innovation, Allah still excused him. Allah said: ‘And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended.’ [33:5]
And if the Muslim was forced to follow a Madhab, Allah still excused him. Allah said: ‘Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief; except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment.’ [16:106]
And the Prophet said: ‘Allah has forgiven for me my nation their mistakes and forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do.’ [Ibn Majah 2043; Sahih]
3. When does a caller to innovation become an innovator?
If Allah’s speech has reached a person regarding the Madhabs being an innovation, and he still insists on following a Madhab and calling towards it, then he will become an innovator. Allah said: ‘And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the Verses of his Lord; then he turns away from them? Indeed! We will take retribution from the criminals,’ [32:22]
And Allah said: ‘A Book whose Verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’an for a people who know, as a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear.’ [41:3-4]
And Allah said: ‘Yet those who deny the truth ignore the warning they have been given.’ [46:3]
And Allah said: ‘And there had certainly come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him; so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.’ [16:113]
And Allah said: ‘That was because their Messengers were coming to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so Allah seized them. Indeed, He is Powerful and severe in punishment.’ [40:22]
And Allah said: ‘And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their Messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. This is how We recompense the criminals.’ [10:13]
And Allah said: ‘But the ones who deny Our Verses and are arrogant toward them-those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.’ [7:36]
And Allah said: ‘Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them – the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle [i.e., never]. And thus do We recompense the criminals.’ [7:40]
And Allah said: ‘And those who disbelieved said to their Messengers, ‘We will surely drive you out of our land, or you must return to our religion.’ So their Lord inspired to them, “We will surely destroy the wrongdoers.’ [14:13]
And Allah said: ‘Yet if you were to question them, they would be sure to say, ‘We were just chatting, just amusing ourselves.’ Say, ‘Were you making jokes about Allah, His Revelations, and His Messenger? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved [i.e., rejected faith] after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you – We will punish another faction because they were criminals.’ [9:65-66]
And Allah said: ‘They swear by Allah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islam and planned that which they were not to attain. And they were not resentful except [for the fact] that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any protector or helper.’ [9:74]
And Allah said: ‘Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief-never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to the right way.’ [4:137]
Conclusion
Hence, the invitation of the Muslims is to differentiate between the Deen of Islam and the Madhabs! This is how one will exit himself from subjecting himself to any disputes in the Deen of the Muslims and in their community. Allah said: ‘This is how We explain the Verses in detail, so that the way of the evildoers may become known.’ [6:55]
So it is obligatory upon all the Madhabs and its followers to return to the Deen of Islam.
So whatever is present within these Madhabs and their followers which is in accordance to the Deen of Islam–that which was sent down as revelation to the Prophet and the Companions–it will be accepted from them. Allah said: ‘And do not die except as Muslims (submitting to Allah).’ [3:102]
And whatever is present within these Madhabs and their followers which goes against the Deen of Islam, it will not be accepted from them. Allah said: ‘Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him.’ [3:85]
And it is obligatory to rule between the Madhabs and their followers with what Allah revealed. Allah said: ‘And judge between them [O Prophet] according to what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires. And beware of them, lest they entice you away from some of what Allah has sent down to you. If they turn away, then know that it is Allah’s will to punish them for some of their sins, and many people are indeed rebellious.’ [5:49]
And the verdicts on the issue of following the Madhabs and their followers should be taken from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah said: ‘Whatever you may differ about, it is for Allah to judge.’ [42:10]
And Allah said: ‘If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end.’ [4:59]
And it is obligatory to be pleased and be submissive to what Allah and His Messenger have commanded regarding any ruling related to any Madhab. Allah said: ‘But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they accept you [O Prophet] as judge in their disputes, and find no discomfort within their hearts about your judgments, but accept them wholeheartedly.'[4:65]
And Allah knows best. May His peace and blessings be upon his Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.